Learn how to unfreeze iPhone stuck on lock screen with this guide, which gives various solutions for a seamless experience. And show you how to backup iPhone data easily.
My iPhone stuck on lock screen and won't unlock or shut down
I downloaded an app and when I was about to exit, the window popped up with the "Allow/Don't Allow" notification. Meanwhile, I pressed the power button to do something else and now my phone is frozen on the lock screen. What should I do?
- Question from Apple Community
Have you ever encountered the problem of iPhone is frozen on lock screen? Whether it is an iPhone 16/15/14 or an earlier model, it can be frustrating to encounter this situation. No matter how you enter the passcode, it just doesn’t respond. Here, we have listed some potential reasons that may cause this problem:
After understanding the cause of iPhone stuck on lock screen, we will provide 5 efficient methods to help you get out of trouble. In addition, to protect your data from accidental loss, you can backup iPhone first.
Often, a simple force restart can fix many issues when things go wrong, even if your iPhone frozen on lock screen. If you don't know how to force reset your iPhone, there are different steps for different phone models.
For iPhone 8 or newer models:
Press the Volume up button quickly and release it > Press the Volume down button swiftly and release it > Hold on the Side button when you see the Apple logo appears, then release it.
For iPhone 7 and 7 Plus devices:
Hold down the Volume down and Side buttons > Then release them when the Apple logo appears.
For iPhone 6 or earlier Models:
Press the Home and Side buttons at the same time > Then release your fingers when you see the Apple logo.
In addition to force restarting your iPhone, you can also try simply restarting your iPhone. This method can refresh the functions of the phone's software, especially temporary software that causes the iPhone to get stuck on the lock screen. Check the guide below:
Steps to restart frozen iPhone X/11/12/13/14/15/16:
Press either the Volume button or the Side button until the slider appears > Drag the slider to turn your device off > After a while, hold the Side button to turn your iPhone on.
Steps to restart locked iPhone SE/8/7/6/5:
Press the Side or Top button until you see the power off slider > Drag the slider to switch the iPhone off > After that, press the same button to turn your device on again.
A simple phone call can interrupt whatever process is causing your iPhone to freeze. It sounds funny, but sometimes this method can easily solve the problem. Ask someone to call you. When the call comes, answer it and then try to unlock your phone. If it works, you will be able to access your phone. To prevent future freezes, it is best to restart your iPhone immediately.
If the above three methods do not help you solve the problem, here is another way to restore your device via iTunes, but it will delete all the data on your iPhone. Please back up your iPhone before performing the following operations. If you already have an iTunes backup on Windows, you can follow the steps below.
Step 1. Connect your iPhone to the Windows PC > Launch iTunes on the computer.
Step 2. Make your iPhone enter into recovery mode.
Step 3. iTunes will detect your iPhone in recovery mode, tap Restore iPhone option > When a message popping up, choose Restore.
If the above solutions still can't help you solve iPhone screen stuck on lock screen, or you find that the reason for the phone screen lock is a hardware problem, please go to the official Apple store to check and repair your iPhone. They will provide very professional inspection and help. This method is very likely to generate a cost.
As you can see, using iTunes to backup and restore data is not convenient. And iTunes is an official Apple product, Windows PC sometimes encounters iTunes cloud not be restore error 4014/4013 and other accidents. In this case, it is highly recommended to use FoneTool.
FoneTool is a free and reliable iPhone management software that supports you to easily backup and transfer data between computer and iPhone, or between iPhone and iPhone. With just a few clicks, you can quickly back up data to ensure data security.
Now, you can follow the guide to back up iPhone without losing any data.
Step 1. Free download FoneTool and open it on your PC > Connect your iPhone to the PC > Tap Trust on your iPhone.
Step 2. Choose Phone Backup on the panel > Go to Full Backup > Click on Get Started.
Step 3. Enable backup encryption if you needed, and choose the backup password > Click OK > Then set a backup storage path > Finally, tap Start Backup to begin the task.
When you need to restore your iPhone backup, connect the target iPhone with the computer > Go to My Backups page > Locate the backup you just created and tap the restore icon. It allows you to restore data with different Apple IDs.
That’s all about how to fix iPhone stuck on lock screen. This article summarizes 5 effective methods based on user experience. You can try to solve the problem yourself first. If the phone has a hardware error, it is recommended to seek help from professionals.
In addition, whether in the process of repairing the problem or to prevent data loss, backing up the phone in advance is a good choice. You can use FoneTool to easily help you complete the backup!