How to Unfreeze iPhone Stuck on Lock Screen [6 Ways]

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.

Clara by Clara Updated October 14, 2024
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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. But don't worry, this post will show you why iPhone screen stuck and how to fix it with 6 easy ways.

Why Does iPhone Screen Stuck on Lock Screen?

Here, we have listed some potential reasons that may cause this problem:

  1. ⛔ Software Glitches: Temporary software issues or conflicts might cause your iPhone no reaction.
  2.  Overheating: If your iPhone becomes too hot, it will open a protective mode to prevent damage automatically.
  3.  Insufficient Storage: When your iPhone storage is full, it might lead to performance issues.
  4. ⛔ iOS System Errors: System errors or corruption within iOS can also cause your iPhone to freeze on the lock screen.
  5. ⛔ Hardware Problems: Such as a damaged display, battery failure, or faulty buttons may lead to this situation.

How to Fix iPhone Frozen on Lock Screen - 6 Ways

After understanding the cause of iPhone stuck on lock screen, we will provide 6 efficient methods to help you get out of trouble. In addition, to protect your data from accidental loss, you can backup iPhone first.

★Tip:
Not satisfied with the backup features of iCloud and iTunes? Don't worry, we provide a free one-click backup method in the next section. It provides superfast backup speed and stable offline process.

Way 1. Force Reboot the iPhone

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.

force restart iphone

Way 2. Fix Freeze iPhone Screen with FoneTool

For more serious system errors, you can use more professional iOS repair tools to solve the problem. As a professional iPhone management tool, FoneTool can help you solve iPhone screen freezing, black screen, stuck on Apple logo, and some complex iOS errors that prevent your iOS device from working properly.

Free download FoneTool on your computer and follow the guide to unlock the freeze iPhone.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

Step 1. Connect your iPhone to computer > Run FoneTool on the PC > Go to Toolbox > Select iOS System Repair function.

go to ios system repair

Step 2. Click iOS System Repair option on the page > Select Standard Mode to repair this iPhone > Then tap Start to continue.

standard mode

Step 3. FoneTool will download the previous firmware file on the iPhone > After that it finished, tap Start Repair to fix the error.

standard mode start repair

Way 3. Restart Your iPhone

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.

Way 4. Ask Someone to Call You

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.

Way 5. Restore iPhone with iTunes

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.

  • For iPhone 8 or later: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button > Repeat this with the Volume Down button > Then press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.
  • For iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button at the same time > Keep holding the buttons until the recovery mode appears.
  • For iPhone 6 or earlier: Press and hold both the Home button and the Side button or the Top button at the same time > Release them when you see the recovery mode screen.

iphone recovery mode

★Tip:
Is there an easier way to enter recovery mode? Actually, you can use FoneTool to help you go to iPhone recovery mode or exit recovery mode with 1-click.

Step 3. iTunes will detect your iPhone in recovery mode, tap Restore iPhone option > When a message popping up, choose Restore.

itunes recovery mode iphone

Way 6. Fix iPhone at Apple Store

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.

Bonus Tip: Backup iPhone to Avoid Data Loss

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.

  1. enlightened Why do you choose FoneTool?
  2. laugh Full backup iPhone/iPad to PC or other external hard drives with one click.
  3. laugh Preview and selective backup iPhone photos, videos, messages, contacts, music, etc.
  4. laugh Support you to free choose the storage path before backing up.
  5. laugh Use the USB connection to ensure a stable and offline process.
  6. laugh Wide compatible with all iPhone models with the latest iOS, and Windows 7/8/10/11.

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.

Download Freeware Win 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP
Secure Download

Step 2. Choose Phone Backup on the panel > Go to Full Backup > Click on Get Started.

full backup

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.

encrypted backup

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.

selective restore

Conclusion

That’s all about how to fix iPhone stuck on lock screen. This article summarizes 6 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!

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