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You'd think turning off a phone would be the easiest thing in the world. Back in the day, you just held one button and everything went black. But if you’ve recently picked up an iPhone 14—whether it’s the standard model, the Plus, the Pro, or that massive Pro Max—you’ve probably realized that holding the side button just summons Siri. She’s helpful, sure, but she isn't the "off" switch.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a design quirk that trips up almost everyone switching from an older model or coming over from Android. Apple changed the hardware mapping years ago, yet the muscle memory of the old "Power" button still lingers.
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Let's get into the weeds of how to actually power off iPhone 14 without accidentally calling emergency services or getting stuck in a loop of voice commands.
The Physical Handshake: The Button Combo
Most people fail here because they treat the side button like a power switch. It isn't. On the iPhone 14, that button is technically the "Side Button." To shut the thing down, you have to perform a two-button salute.
You basically have to press and hold the Side Button and either the Volume Up or Volume Down button simultaneously. It doesn't matter which volume button you pick. Hold them for about two or three seconds. If you just click them quickly, you’ll just take a screenshot, and your camera roll will start filling up with accidental images of your lock screen. You have to commit to the hold.
Once you do that, the "slide to power off" bar appears at the top. Slide it. The screen goes dark. Done.
Why did Apple do this? It’s mostly about preventing pocket-shuts and making room for SOS features. If a single button press could kill the phone, you might accidentally turn it off in your jeans. By requiring two buttons on opposite sides of the device, Apple ensures the shut-off is intentional.
What if Your Buttons Are Busted?
Sometimes hardware fails. Or maybe you have a bulky case that makes pressing those buttons a total nightmare. I've seen plenty of iPhone 14 Pros with cases so thick you need a literal grip of steel just to change the volume.
If you can't—or won't—use the physical buttons, you can do it through the software. This is a life-saver for accessibility reasons too.
- Open Settings.
- Tap on General.
- Scroll all the way to the very bottom. Like, the absolute bottom.
- You'll see a blue link that says Shut Down.
- Tap it, and that same slider pops up.
It feels a bit buried, doesn't it? It’s tucked away because Apple fundamentally wants your phone to stay on. They’ve designed iOS to be incredibly efficient at idling, so most users rarely ever need to go this deep into the menus.
The Force Restart: When Things Go South
Sometimes the "slide to power off" screen doesn't show up. Maybe your screen is frozen on a weird app, or the touch interface isn't responding because of a software glitch. This is where people start to panic.
If your iPhone 14 is completely unresponsive, the standard shut-down methods won't work. You need a force restart. This isn't just a "power off"; it’s a hardware-level command that cuts the power and forces the system to reboot.
It’s a specific rhythm. Think of it like a cheat code.
First, click and release Volume Up.
Second, click and release Volume Down.
Third, press and hold the Side Button.
Keep holding that side button. Don't let go when you see the slider. Keep holding it even when the screen goes black. Only let go when the Apple logo pops up.
I’ve had to do this on my own iPhone 14 Pro Max after a buggy beta update made the screen go totally unresponsive. It feels like it takes forever—usually about 10 seconds—but it works. It’s the "pulling the plug" equivalent for modern smartphones.
A Quick Warning About Emergency SOS
Here is something nobody talks about until it's too late. If you hold the Side Button and a Volume button for too long—specifically past the point where the sliders appear—your iPhone 14 will start a loud, piercing countdown. This is the Emergency SOS feature.
If you don't let go, it will automatically call local emergency services. If you’re just trying to go to sleep and want your phone off, the last thing you want is a 911 operator asking what the emergency is while a siren blares in your bedroom. Just keep an eye on the screen. Once you see the slider, let go of the buttons and use your finger to finish the job.
Why You Should Actually Turn It Off
We live in a world where we rarely "unplug." Most iPhones stay on for months at a time, only restarting when a software update forces them to.
But honestly? Powering off your iPhone 14 once a week is a great habit.
It clears out the cache. It kills background processes that might be hung up and sucking your battery dry. It’s basically a palate cleanser for the processor. According to various tech teardowns and long-term performance studies from sites like 9to5Mac and MacRumors, regular restarts can actually help maintain system snappiness over the long haul. It won't make a slow phone fast, but it prevents a fast phone from getting weirdly sluggish.
"Find My" Even When Powered Down
Here is a bit of wizardry most people don't realize: your iPhone 14 isn't completely dead when you turn it off.
When you slide that power bar, you might notice a little text underneath that says "iPhone Findable After Power Off." This is part of the Find My network. The phone keeps a tiny, microscopic amount of power flowing to its Bluetooth and U1/U2 chips.
This means if someone steals your phone and turns it off, you can still track it using another Apple device for up to 24 hours (sometimes longer depending on the battery state). It’s an incredible security feature, but it also means the phone is never truly "zero power" unless the battery is physically disconnected or completely drained to the point of chemical exhaustion.
Taking Action: The Best Shutdown Routine
If you’ve been struggling with how to power off iPhone 14, don't just learn it—use it.
Start by checking your Settings > General > Software Update to ensure you aren't running a buggy version of iOS that makes the shutdown process lag. If your phone feels hot or the battery is draining faster than usual, don't just lock the screen. Perform the "Settings" menu shutdown or the two-button hold to give the hardware a total break.
For those concerned about privacy, remember that turning your phone off is one of the few ways to ensure that all microphones and cameras are hardware-disabled (save for that tiny "Find My" beacon). If you're heading into a sensitive meeting or just want to ensure zero distractions, the physical "Side + Volume" combo is your best friend.
Practice the Force Restart rhythm once—Up, Down, Hold—just so you know how to do it before you actually need it in an emergency. It's much easier to learn when your screen isn't frozen.
Once the screen is black and the Apple logo is gone, your iPhone 14 is finally resting. To turn it back on, just hold that Side Button for a few seconds until the Apple logo reappears. You'll need your passcode to get back in—FaceID won't work on the first boot for security reasons. Keep that code handy.