If you own an iPhone 12 and it’s not responding to any button presses, you might be wondering how to turn on your phone. If this is the case, it’s not too hard to get your device working again.
The first method involves holding down the volume up button and side button simultaneously for about 2 – 3 seconds until the slide to power off slider appears.
Power button
When it comes to turning on and off your iPhone, the power button (officially called the Top or Side button depending on the iPhone model) is a crucial element. It’s used to turn your device on and off, and also perform a variety of other functions, including locking the screen.
As Apple has evolved its design over the years, the function of each button has changed. For example, on the latest generation of iPhones, long-pressing the power button triggers Siri, rather than turning off your phone.
Thankfully, there is a workaround for this situation. It involves a quick-and-easy button sequence you can use when the power menu isn’t available on your iPhone 12 or any other newer model.
In 1973, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers decided to change the standard for power button symbols, which had become a muddled mess. It wanted to create a single symbol that would be universally understood, regardless of the language or culture.
The result is the power button symbol you see on modern smartphones, tablets, and even full-sized computers. The symbol consists of a large circle with a smaller “I” entirely enclosed within it.
You’ll also often see this symbol on trash compactors and other commercial equipment. The “I” is used to indicate that the power button will supply electricity, while the “O” is used to indicate that the button will switch off.
When your iPhone 12 is frozen or won’t respond to commands, you can easily force-restart it by performing a hard reset. The process varies slightly, but this is the easiest way to start your device up again if it’s stuck in an unresponsive mode.
Home button
The home button is a physical button that’s part of the iPhone’s navigation system. It’s used to navigate between apps, open the multitasking manager, and launch new features like the Quick Contact button on iOS 8.
On iPhone 7 and later devices, the button uses Apple’s “taptic engine” to click back at you when you push it. Third-party companies can also program vibrations for notifications, which makes the new button much more responsive than the old one.
While the physical button is still available on older iPhones, it’s more difficult to use because it’s not as easy to press. This can make it more likely to break, particularly if the button’s touch sensitive design is damaged by liquid contact.
If your button is still functional, it’s worth giving it a good cleaning. This can help prevent it from breaking down again in the future.
Using a toothpick or a damp microfiber cloth, carefully clean the exterior of your home button. This may remove small hairline cracks or corrosion that can lead to your button stopping working.
Next, try pressing your home button a few times to see if it responds. If it does, this may help clear any software hiccups that are causing your button to stop functioning.
Another way to fix a broken home button is to reset the device. This isn’t a quick fix, but it’s often the best way to resolve problems that are more likely to have something to do with software issues.
Before you begin restoring your device, be sure to backup the data on your phone. This will make it easier to restore your device in the future.
Volume up button
Located beneath the mute switch, the volume up button increases the volume of your iPhone’s alert tone or notification sounds. This feature is turned on by default, but you can turn it off if you prefer.
If you don’t want your iPhone’s volume buttons to change the ringer and alert sounds, head to Settings -> Sounds & Haptics -> “Change with Buttons” and toggle it off. You can also use the volume buttons to increase or decrease the volume on certain apps.
Another way to adjust the volume on your iPhone is by using a quick tap gesture. Simply press the AssistiveTouch icon on your Home screen to increase the volume or tap twice to decrease it.
One common cause of a stuck volume up or down button is a loose internal connection between your iPhone and the button. This can occur due to dirt or debris that has gotten stuck in the buttons.
It’s also possible that a software issue has caused your iPhone to stop working. To fix this, you can update your iOS to the latest version.
If your iPhone is running a version of iOS that is outdated, it may have issues with its volume buttons. You can download and install the latest version from the Settings app -> General -> Software Update.
While this can help, it’s not a permanent solution and your device will probably still have problems after you’ve updated it. This is why it’s always a good idea to back up your data before you reset your iPhone.
If your iPhone volume buttons are still stuck, it’s time to visit an authorized service center. They’ll be able to get the problem fixed for you.
Volume down button
The volume down button, located on the left side of your iPhone beneath the mute switch, can be used to increase or decrease the volume. This can be useful for music, games, and movies, as well as ringers and notification sounds.
Your volume buttons are also used for other things besides adjusting the volume levels, including opening a menu in certain apps and performing quick tap gestures to adjust your media and sound settings. This is called “Assistive Touch,” and it’s not quite button mapping, but it’s as close as iOS comes to it without jailbreaking your device.
If you’re having issues with your iPhone 12’s volume buttons, there are several fixes that can help get the issue fixed. One of these methods is to restart the phone, which reloads the operating system and helps it regain full functionality.
Another way to fix the problem is to take your iPhone to an authorized Apple service center, where a technician can check out the buttons and make sure they’re in good condition. If the issue isn’t fixed, the technician might need to replace your phone’s buttons or a component of it.
If your iPhone 12’s volume buttons feel softer than the other, or they’re not reacting the same when you touch them, it might be a sign that there is an issue with their manufacturing. This can be a problem because it will affect their functionality over time, which could eventually lead to them being stuck or unresponsive.
Side button
The side button on iPhone 12 isn’t just a handy shortcut for returning to the home screen, it also functions as an emergency button that can activate Siri or Emergency SOS. You can also take a screenshot by pressing the Side button and Volume Up at the same time!
The Side button can also be used to turn your iPhone on or off. It’s a little different than the top button on an older iPhone, but it works just the same!
There’s also an orange ring/silent switch beneath the side button, which can be used to mute sounds and alerts. This can be useful when you’re in a noisy place and want to avoid waking up everyone around you.
Another new feature is Back Tap, which lets you double-tap the back of your iPhone to launch apps or other software functions. You can set the speed of the double-tap to be faster or slower if you prefer.
You’ll need to enable Back Tap by going into accessibility settings and turning on the feature. Once you’ve done that, you’ll be able to double-tap the back of your iPhone for a range of functionality like opening the App Switcher, launching Maps or instant screenshots.
Finally, the Side button can be used to restart your iPhone. This is particularly helpful if you’re having problems with the phone.
If you find yourself having issues with your iPhone 12, a hard reset can help fix it. This isn’t as difficult as you might think, and it doesn’t erase any data or information on your device.