If your iPhone keeps restarting or is stuck in a boot loop—repeatedly showing the Apple logo, turning off, and turning back on—it’s more than a simple glitch. This issue, often called a boot loop, can happen due to software crashes, iOS update failures, battery problems, or even hardware damage. While this problem can be frustrating, it’s often fixable at home.
In this article, you’ll learn why boot loops happen, how to fix an iPhone that keeps restarting, and when to contact Apple Support.
🔁 What Is an iPhone Boot Loop?
A boot loop means your iPhone tries to start but can’t complete the boot process. It may:
- Restart every few seconds or minutes
- Get stuck on the Apple logo
- Turn off and on continuously without reaching the Lock Screen
🧠 Common Causes of Boot Loop Issues
- Failed iOS Update or Corrupt System Files
- Battery or hardware issues
- Jailbreaking or installing unsigned software
- Faulty app or malware
- Full storage during a system update
- iOS system crashes due to unknown software conflicts
🛠 How to Fix an iPhone That Keeps Restarting
✅ Step 1: Force Restart Your iPhone
The first and simplest solution is to perform a force restart, which can break out of a temporary boot loop.
iPhone 8 and later (including iPhone X to iPhone 15):
- Quickly press and release the Volume Up button
- Quickly press and release the Volume Down button
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears
iPhone 7 and 7 Plus:
- Press and hold Volume Down + Side button together until the Apple logo shows
iPhone 6s or SE (1st gen) and earlier:
- Press and hold Home + Top/Side button until the Apple logo appears
🧠 If the boot loop is caused by a temporary glitch, this step often resolves it immediately.
✅ Step 2: Check for Faulty Apps
If your iPhone restarts only when a certain app is used or after a specific action, it may be due to a corrupt or incompatible app.
What You Can Do:
- Boot into Safe Mode (available only on jailbroken devices)
- Otherwise, delete recently downloaded apps as soon as the device boots successfully
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements > Analytics Data
Look for apps that frequently crash
✅ Step 3: Update iOS via Recovery Mode
If your iPhone can’t get past the Apple logo or restarts continuously, update iOS via Recovery Mode. This reinstalls the system software without erasing data.
How to Enter Recovery Mode:
- Connect your iPhone to a Mac (Finder) or Windows PC (iTunes)
- Force restart your device, but continue holding the Side button even after the Apple logo
- Release when you see the Recovery Mode screen (a computer and cable icon)
Your computer will prompt you to:
- Update (preserves your data)
- Restore (erases your data)
Choose Update first. If that fails, try Restore as a last resort.
⚠️ Restore should only be used if your data is backed up, as it erases the entire device.
✅ Step 4: Use Third-Party Tools (Optional)
Several reputable third-party iOS repair tools can fix boot loops without data loss, such as:
- ReiBoot by Tenorshare
- Dr.Fone Repair by Wondershare
- iMyFone Fixppo
These tools typically offer:
- Standard Mode (no data loss)
- Advanced Mode (erases data for deeper fixes)
💡 These are not Apple-supported, but many users find them helpful.
✅ Step 5: Check for Battery or Hardware Damage
If the issue persists even after a system restore, the cause may be hardware-related, especially:
- Battery failure (causing sudden restarts)
- Logic board damage
- Overheating
What You Can Do:
- Check Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging
- If Battery Health is under 80%, consider replacement
- If your iPhone feels hot or was recently dropped or exposed to liquid, hardware damage is likely
🆘 When to Contact Apple Support
Seek professional help if:
- Recovery Mode and force restarts don’t stop the boot loop
- iPhone restarts immediately after showing the Apple logo
- You’ve recently dropped or exposed the device to water
- You see hardware failure messages
Visit an https://support.apple.com/repairAuthorized Service Provider, or contact https://support.apple.com
If your iPhone is under AppleCare+, hardware repairs may be fully or partially covered.
🧼 How to Prevent Boot Loop Problems in the Future
- Avoid force shutting down your iPhone during updates
- Keep at least 10% storage free
- Use Apple-certified accessories only
- Avoid jailbreaking your iPhone
- Keep your iPhone updated with the latest stable iOS version
- Don’t install apps from unknown or third-party sources
✅ Summary: Fixing iPhone Boot Loop Issues
When your iPhone keeps restarting or is stuck in a boot loop, the cause could be software corruption, a failing battery, or damaged hardware. Start with a force restart, then try Recovery Mode to update iOS. If that fails, consider restoring or using a third-party tool. Persistent problems may require professional repair.
Quick Fix Checklist:
| Step | Action |
| Force restart | Use the correct button combo for your model |
| Remove problematic apps | Identify and delete crashing apps |
| Update via Recovery Mode | Reinstall iOS without erasing data |
| Restore as last resort | Factory reset if boot loop persists |
| Check battery health | Replace battery if under 80% capacity |
| Seek Apple Support | For persistent or hardware-related issues |
