How To Turn Off iPhone X, iPhone 11 & iPhone 12 – The Top 2 Methods


how to power iphone 11 offPin

If you’re wondering how to turn off the iPhone X, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, or iPhone 13 – you’re not alone! It slips up a lot of people. Follow the simple steps below to power down your iPhone X, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, or iPhone 13 properly.


Ever since Apple released the iPhone X and killed off the home button, iPhones aren’t quite as easy to use as they once were – especially if you’re coming from an older model like the iPhone 6 or iPhone 8 (which still use Apple’s home button and, therefore, TouchID).

And one of the #1 questions we get asked by new iPhone X, iPhone 11, and iPhone 12 users is this: How in the hell do I turn the iPhone X/11/12 off!? But don’t worry, you’re not alone – plenty of people have been tripped up by this. And the reason is simple: turning off the iPhone X, iPhone 11, or iPhone 12 works differently from how it used to on older models.

Thanks to the introduction of FACE ID, the iPhone X and later no longer has a dedicated power button like the iPhone 8, for instance, and this is what trips most people up.

But don’t worry, it’s super simple to turn off the iPhone 11 once you know how it’s done. Just follow the steps below (and, remember, this method works on ALL modern iPhone models, including the iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XR, iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and iPhone 13.

How To Turn Off iPhone 11

  • Press and Hold The SIDE BUTTON and either the VOLUME UP or VOLUME DOWN button at the same time.
  • Wait a second then this should show up: “SLIDE TO POWER OFF”
  • Now all you have to do is slide the slider and your iPhone 11 will shut down.

How To Turn Off iPhone 12

  • Press and Hold The SIDE BUTTON and either the VOLUME UP or VOLUME DOWN button at the same time.
  • Wait a second then this should show up: “SLIDE TO POWER OFF”
  • Now all you have to do is slide the slider and your iPhone 12 will shut down.

How To Turn Off iPhone 13

  • Press and Hold The SIDE BUTTON and either the VOLUME UP or VOLUME DOWN button at the same time.
  • Wait a second then this should show up: “SLIDE TO POWER OFF”
  • Now all you have to do is slide the slider and your iPhone 13 will shut down.

Simple, right? But you can see why it throws some people – it’s the fact that you have to hold both the side button and the volume up/down key at the same time. It adds in another step that wasn’t present on older, pre-iPhone X models. Also: the above method will also work on Apple’s iPhone 12 phones.

how to power iphone 11 offPin

Why did Apple add this additional step into the mix? Simple: to stop you from powering off your iPhone X, iPhone 11, or iPhone 12 by mistake when it’s in your pocket or bag. No one wants that to happen, as you’ll miss calls and updates from your friends and family.

By adding in the second step, Apple effectively stops this from ever happening. And while it might be a little frustrating at first, it does make logical sense in the long run – no one wants to be constantly turning their phone back on, after all!

And if all this sounds like too much work, or you don’t like Apple’s new gesture-based UX, you can always pick yourself up an iPhone SE (2020) – it retails for $399.99 and it features a home button and Touch ID.

How To Turn off iPhone X, iPhone 11, and iPhone 12 Without Using Any Buttons

If you don’t want to use the above methods, there is another way to turn off an iPhone 11 without using any buttons.

This method is also fairly simple too, but it is slightly more convoluted than using the Lock/Unlock + Volume rocker technique.

How To Turn Off iPhone X, iPhone 11 & iPhone 12 – The Top 2 MethodsPin

How To Power Down iPhone via Settings App:

  1. Open Settings > General
  2. Scroll Down, You Should See Option For SHUT DOWN
  3. Select SHUT DOWN
  4. The Slide to Power Off Slider Will Appear
  5. Slide It To Shut The iPhone 11 Down

This method, while not exactly user intuitive, is handy to have around if you’re experiencing issues with your iPhone 11’s buttons – say, for instance, if one gets jammed or becomes unresponsive.

If you do have a problem that affects your iPhone 11’s physical buttons, it’s handy to be able to switch off the iPhone 11 without having to use any buttons. And with this method, you can do just that!

How To Turn iPhone X, iPhone 11, and iPhone 12 On?

Once you’ve shut down your iPhone X, iPhone 11, or iPhone 12, you might be wondering, well, how do I turn the iPhone X, iPhone 11, or iPhone 12 back on? Again, doing this is slightly different than the method for powering the iPhone X, iPhone 11, or iPhone 12 down – but don’t worry, it’s even easier.

How To Turn Off iPhone X, iPhone 11 & iPhone 12 – The Top 2 MethodsPin

To turn on the iPhone X, iPhone 11, or iPhone 12 all you have to do is press the side button down and hold it for a second a two. There’s no need to press the volume up/down key when turning the phone back on – you only use the volume up/down key when switching your iPhone X, iPhone 11, or iPhone 12 off.

To Recap…

  • Powering off iPhone X, iPhone 11, or iPhone 12: Press and hold SIDE BUTTON and VOLUME UP/DOWN Button > Wait for “Slide To Power Off” message to appear on Screen > Slide The Slider to power down iPhone X, iPhone 11, or iPhone 12
  • Powering on iPhone X, iPhone 11, or iPhone 12: Press and hold the SIDE BUTTON for a second or two; the iPhone X, iPhone 11, or iPhone 12 will power-up more or less instantly, providing you have battery life, of course!

Do You Need To Turn Your iPhone Off? 

If you’re new to smartphones – or iPhones – you might be wondering about whether or not you need to regularly turn off your iPhone. With older PCs and laptops, it was always advisable to turn them off when you’re not using them. But with modern technology, this isn’t the case. 

Apple’s iPhone is designed to run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You DO NOT need to switch it off to give it a break or to cool it down. Apple’s iOS – the software that runs on iPhone – has sleep and rest modes built into its architecture, so, when your iPhone is inactive, it will lower its power consumption and “cool down” all by itself. 

The only thing you need to do is ensure that your iPhone has enough battery life. If the battery runs out, your iPhone will switch off. For this reason, it is important to charge it once a day. I charge mine overnight and it usually lasts all day until I return to bed the following night. If your iPhone’s battery life isn’t great or you’re running an older model, a top-up mid-way through the day is advisable. 

Other Helpful iPhone Guides:

Latest Smartphone Releases


  • Xiaomi 15S Pro

    The Xiaomi 15S Pro didn’t come with a flashy launch, but it brings some seriously heavy hardware to the table. A custom 10-core chip, Leica-engineered cameras, and one of the brightest displays on the market

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

    At just 5.8mm thick, it’s one of the thinnest Android phones ever made—but don’t let the slim profile fool you. This phone is all flagship under the hood.

  • Nothing Phone (3a) Pro

    It’s got the same slick design and OLED display, but adds a periscope zoom camera and a 50MP front-facing shooter.

  • Nothing Phone (3a)

    The Nothing Phone (3a) nails the formula: give people what they actually want, keep the price low, and make it look cooler than anything else in its class.

  • Motorola EDGE 60 Pro

    With a bold design, flagship-like display, and surprisingly refined camera system, it’s one of the most interesting mid-range phones of 2025.

  • Google Pixel 9

    I’ve been using the Pixel 9 for a few weeks now, and honestly? It nails all the basics—and a bit more. Killer stuff all round!

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro

    I’ve used the Pixel 9 Pro as my daily device, and it’s hands-down the best balance of power, practicality, and photography you’ll find on Android right now.

  • OnePlus 13

    I’ve been using the OnePlus 13 as my daily driver for a few months now—and I’ve got to say, it’s easily one of the best Android phones I’ve tested this year.

  • Xiaomi 15 Ultra

    After using the Xiaomi 15 Ultra for over a week, I can confidently say: this phone is an absolute beast. It’s made for camera nerds, power users, and creators.

  • iPhone 16 Pro Max

    If you’ve been holding out for a truly complete iPhone, the 16 Pro Max delivers—hard. After using it daily, I won't be going back…

  • Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

    Big screen, big battery, and even bigger brains—this is the Pixel to get if you want Google’s best hardware and longest support.

  • Google Pixel 9a

    The Pixel 9a brings Google’s flagship-level smarts to a budget-friendly package, and it’s easily one of the best-value Android phones of 2025.

Best SIM-Only Plans & Deals


  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    Another high-data, low-cost option with no contract. 108GB for just £9, full 5G access, and the same goodies you get with 12-month deals.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 20GB

    The lowest price option. 20GB for £6 with all the same perks as pricier plans. Great if you don’t use much data and want to save every penny.

    +

    Data: 20GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 110GB

    This plan gives you big data and zero commitment. 110GB for just £10 with all perks intact. If you need more data but want the freedom to cancel, this is the one.

    +

    Data: 110GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    More data, same price. For just £8/month, you get 60GB on a no-strings 1-month rolling plan. Ideal for users who stream often but don’t want long commitments.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 1 Month SIM-Only: 40GB

    Perfect if you want full flexibility. You get 40GB and all of iD Mobile's perks with no lock-in, annual increases, or setup fees. Great for short-term users.

    +

    Data: 40GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 60GB

    One of the best pound-per-GB plans around. You get 60GB for £8 with £25 cashback, which means you’re effectively paying closer to £6/month. Includes roaming and data rollover.

    +

    Data: 60GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: 108GB

    This deal gets you a healthy 108GB of 5G data for less than a tenner, with no upfront costs and £24 cashback. All the perks are included too: data rollover, roaming, and loyalty rewards.

    +

    Data: 108GB

  • iD Mobile 12 Month SIM-Only: Unlimited Data

    This iD Mobile plan doesn’t just compete on price, it’s up there with the best of them. Unlimited everything, a year-long lock-in with no price rises, and £42 cashback straight to your pocket. It’s like getting nearly 3 months free.

    +

    Data: Unlimited, No Speed Caps

  • Mint Mobile 20GB Plan

    If you're looking to save some cash on your bills, this plan is an awesome option. You'll get 20GB of data per month and 20GB hotspot data allowance. For moderate to heavy users, that should be more than enough. I seldom use more than 10GB of data a month, and I'm always using my phone

    +

    Data: 20GB

  • Mint Mobile 15GB Plan

    If you don't use a lot of data, this plan is a great option. You'll get 15GB of data per month and 5GB hotspot data allowance. It's not a lot but for light users, it is likely more than you'll ever need

    +

    Data: 15GB

  • Visible+ Pro Plan

    Visible+ Pro is built for heavy users who want it all: 4K streaming, ultra-fast hotspot speeds, and premium 5G access on Verizon’s best network. No throttling. No compromises. Just pure, high-performance mobile.

    +

    Data: Unlimited

  • Visible+ Plan

    If you’re tired of overpaying for unlimited data, Visible is one of the best alternatives out there—especially right now. For a limited time, you can get Visible’s unlimited plan for just $20/month, and that price is locked in for an entire year when you use code SAVE5 at checkout.

    +

    Data: Unlimited