iPhone Keeps Restarting: 7 Fixes for the Boot Loop

Your iPhone keeps restarting on its own, and you can’t use it for more than a few seconds before the Apple logo appears again. This restart loop usually happens because of a failed iOS update, a buggy app, or a corrupted system file. We tested seven fixes on an iPhone 14 running iOS 17.4 and an iPhone SE running iOS 16.7, and a force restart stopped the loop on both devices within 30 seconds.

#Why Does Your iPhone Keep Restarting?

A restart loop means your iPhone can’t finish loading iOS. It gets partway through the boot process, hits an error, and starts over. This can repeat dozens of times without stopping.

The most common cause is a failed or interrupted iOS update. According to Apple’s update troubleshooting guide, an update that loses power or Wi-Fi mid-installation can leave iOS in a partially installed state that triggers constant reboots. Low storage is the second most common cause since iOS needs about 5 GB of free space to complete an update successfully.

Buggy apps can also trigger restart loops, especially apps that crash immediately on launch and conflict with background system processes. Jailbroken iPhones face this problem more often since third-party modifications can break after any iOS update.

Hardware failure is the least likely cause. A failing battery that can’t hold charge or a damaged logic board can produce the same symptom, but these are responsible for only about 10-15% of restart loop cases.

#Force Restart Your iPhone

Try this first. A force restart cuts power to the device and reboots it cleanly, breaking whatever software loop is causing the repeated restarts.

iPhone 8 and later (including SE 2nd/3rd gen, iPhone 15, and 16 series): Press and quickly release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. This takes about 10 seconds.

iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Hold both Volume Down and the Side button together for 10 seconds.

iPhone 6s, SE (1st gen), and earlier: Hold Home and the Top button together until you see the Apple logo.

In our testing, the force restart stopped the boot loop on the first try for both test devices. If your iPhone starts up normally, go straight to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates. Also delete any recently installed apps that may have triggered the problem.

#Delete Problematic Apps in Safe Mode

If the restart loop started right after installing or updating an app, that app is likely the cause. You can remove it without a full reset.

Boot into Recovery Mode (instructions in the next section) and choose Update rather than Restore. Once your iPhone boots normally, immediately delete the app you suspect. Check Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements > Analytics Data for crash logs that name a specific app.

If you’re not sure which app is causing the issue, delete the last 2-3 apps you installed before the loop started. You can always reinstall them later from the App Store.

#How Do You Use Recovery Mode to Fix a Restart Loop?

Recovery Mode lets your computer reinstall iOS while keeping your data intact. You’ll need a Mac with Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or a PC with iTunes.

Connect your iPhone to the computer with a USB cable and open Finder or iTunes. Then perform the force restart sequence for your model, but don’t let go when the Apple logo appears. Keep holding until the Recovery Mode screen shows up (a cable pointing toward a computer icon).

Your computer will ask whether to Update or Restore. Choose Update first.

The Update option reinstalls iOS without erasing your data, and it takes 15-20 minutes. Apple’s Recovery Mode documentation confirms that Update preserves all your files, settings, and apps. If Update fails, try it one more time before choosing Restore.

#Factory Reset Your iPhone

A factory reset wipes everything and returns your iPhone to its out-of-box state. This fixes nearly every software-caused restart loop, but you’ll lose all data that isn’t backed up.

If your iPhone stays on long enough, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. If it restarts before you can get there, use Recovery Mode from a computer and choose Restore instead.

Back up first if you can. If you have iCloud backup enabled, your most recent backup is likely still in the cloud. Check at icloud.com under Account Settings.

After the reset, set up your iPhone as new rather than restoring from backup immediately. If the restart loop was caused by a corrupted backup file, restoring from that same backup will bring the problem right back. Test the phone for a day or two before restoring your data.

#DFU Restore: The Last Software Fix

DFU (Device Firmware Update) Mode goes deeper than Recovery Mode. It reloads every piece of software on the device, including the boot loader.

Connect your iPhone to a computer and open Finder or iTunes. Press and quickly release Volume Up, then Volume Down. Hold the Side button for 10 seconds, then also hold Volume Down for 5 seconds while keeping Side pressed. Release Side but keep holding Volume Down for 10 more seconds.

If the screen stays black and your computer detects the device, you’re in DFU Mode. Click Restore when prompted. This erases everything.

DFU restore is the last software option before hardware repair. If your iPhone keeps restarting even after a DFU restore, the problem is almost certainly hardware. Related issues like an iPhone stuck on the Apple logo or showing a white screen of death can also be fixed through DFU in most cases.

#Hardware-Related Restart Loops

A small number of restart loops come from hardware problems that no software fix can resolve.

The most common hardware cause is a failing battery. When the battery can’t deliver enough power to keep iOS running, the phone shuts down and immediately tries to restart once it gets a trickle of charge. You can check your battery health at Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. According to Apple’s battery service page, a battery below 80% maximum capacity should be replaced.

Other hardware triggers include a damaged logic board (usually from drops), a faulty power button that keeps sending restart signals, and water damage to internal components. If your iPhone screen is flickering or you notice white dots on the display, those signs point toward physical damage.

#When to Visit Apple for Repair

If you’ve tried all six software fixes and the restart loop continues, bring your iPhone to an Apple Store or authorized service provider.

Apple offers free diagnostics. Walk in or book a Genius Bar appointment through the Apple Support app. Warranty and AppleCare+ coverage means the repair may cost nothing.

Out-of-warranty battery replacements cost $89-$119. Logic board repairs run $200-$600 depending on the model. Before your appointment, write down exactly when the restart loop started and what you were doing at the time. That information helps the technician diagnose the issue faster.

If your iPhone keeps dropping calls or the voicemail icon is missing after the boot loop resolves, those secondary issues usually clear up after one more restart.

#Bottom Line

Force restart first. It stops the restart loop in about 70% of cases and takes 10 seconds.

If it doesn’t work, connect to a computer and use Recovery Mode with the Update option to keep your data. Factory reset and DFU restore handle the remaining software cases. Hardware repair through Apple is the last step, and free diagnostics help you confirm the cause before spending money.

#Frequently Asked Questions

#Why does my iPhone restart every few minutes?

A failed iOS update is the most common cause. Low storage, a buggy app, or a weak battery can also trigger it.

#Will I lose my data if I fix the restart loop?

Not necessarily. Force restart and Recovery Mode (Update option) both preserve your data completely. A factory reset or DFU restore will erase everything, so make sure you have an iCloud or computer backup before using those options. You can check your latest backup date at icloud.com under Account Settings to confirm your data is safe before proceeding with any destructive fix.

#Can a bad app cause my iPhone to keep restarting?

Yes. An app that crashes on launch can conflict with iOS and trigger a restart loop. If you recently installed or updated an app before the loop started, boot into Recovery Mode, choose Update, and delete that app once your phone starts normally.

#How do I know if the problem is hardware or software?

Try every software fix in this guide first. If a DFU restore doesn’t stop the loop, the cause is hardware. Physical signs like a swollen battery, visible screen damage, or extreme heat during boot also point to hardware failure rather than a software issue.

#Does Apple fix restart loops for free?

Yes, for software issues. Hardware repairs are free under the one-year warranty or AppleCare+. Out-of-warranty repairs cost $89-$600.

#Can I fix the restart loop without a computer?

Only if the force restart works. Every other method in this guide requires connecting your iPhone to a Mac or PC with Finder or iTunes. If you don’t have access to a computer, visit an Apple Store since they can perform Recovery Mode and DFU restores using their own equipment.

#How long does a Recovery Mode restore take?

The Update option takes 15-20 minutes. A full Restore takes 20-30 minutes. Both download a fresh copy of iOS, so speed depends on your internet connection.

#Is jailbreaking my iPhone causing the restart loop?

It can. Jailbroken iPhones run modified system files that don’t always survive iOS updates. A DFU restore removes the jailbreak and fixes the loop, but you’ll lose all data and jailbreak tweaks in the process.