If you’ve recently upgraded from a device like an iPhone 8, iPhone 7, or older iPhone, you’ve likely noticed how different it is to use a phone that lacks a physical Home button. But what about basic iPhone reset functions like how to force restart iPhone XS, or even more advanced functions like entering Recovery or DFU mode? All of these functions previously required Home button input, so methods have changed with the latest crop of new iPhones.

In this post and hands-on video walkthrough, we show you everything you need to know about performing these functions on your iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.

Three essential buttons

There are three physical hardware buttons on the new iPhones: A Volume Down button, Volume Up button, and a Side button. You can perform a variety of functions with your iPhone using various combinations of those three buttons. What you won’t see is a Home button, a staple of the iPhone’s design up until the release of the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.

How to power off iPhone XS, iPhone XR or iPhone X

Step 1: Press and hold the Side button + either Volume button until the slide to power off dialogue appears.

Step 2: Release the buttons, and swipe right on the slide to power off dialogue and the phone will power off.

Video walkthrough

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How to power on iPhone XS, iPhone XR or iPhone X

Step 1: Press the power button once, and it will power on.

Note: You don’t have to hold the power button to turn on the device if it’s truly powered off and has enough battery.

How to force restart iPhone XS, iPhone XR or iPhone X

Note: Each of the following steps should be performed in quick succession to successfully force restart iPhone XS, XR, X, etc. Watch the video above for an example on how to force restart iPhone XS.

Step 1: Press and release the Volume Up button.

Step 2: Press and release the Volume Down button.

Step 3: Press and hold the Side button and continue to hold until the device reboots.

How to enter recovery mode on iPhone XS, iPhone XR or iPhone X

Note: Steps 2-4 should be performed in quick succession. Watch the video above for an example.

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your Mac (or PC with iTunes installed) using a Lightning to USB cable.

Step 2: Press and release the Volume Up button.

Step 3: Press and release the Volume Down button.

Step 4: Press and hold the Side button and continue to hold as the device reboots.

Step 5: Even after the Apple logo appears, continue holding the Side button.

Step 6: Release the Side button after you see the Connect to iTunes logo and dialogue.

Step 7: Launch iTunes, and you’ll be presented with a message to acknowledge your connected iOS device in Recovery Mode. You’ll then be given options to update or restore your iPhone’s software.

How to exit Recovery mode on iPhone XS, iPhone XR or iPhone X

Step 1: Press and hold the Side button until the Connect to iTunes logo disappears. You iPhone will then reboot back to normal.

How to enter DFU mode on iPhone XS, iPhone XR or iPhone X

Note: Steps 2-4 should be performed in quick succession. Watch the video above for an example on how to enter DFU mode on iPhone XS. 

Step 1: Connect your iPhone to your Mac (or PC with iTunes installed) using a Lightning to USB cable.

Step 2: Press and release the Volume Up button.

Step 3: Press and release the Volume Down button.

Step 4: Press and hold the Side button for 10 seconds until the iPhone’s screen turns black

Step 5: While continuing to hold the Side button, press and hold the Volume Down button for 5 seconds, and then release the Side button while continuing to hold the Volume Down button for an additional 10 seconds. The screen should remain black if performed correctly.

Step 6: Open iTunes, and you should see a message stating that “iTunes has detected an iPhone in recovery mode. You must restore this iPhone before it can be used with iTunes.”

How to exit DFU mode on iPhone XS, iPhone XR or iPhone X

Exiting DFU mode is a bit more involved than exiting normal Recovery mode.

Step 1: Press and release the Volume Up button.

Step 2: Press and release the Volume Down button.

Step 3: Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.

Note: You can also use this same method to exit out of Recovery mode.

How to temporarily disable Face ID on iPhone XS, iPhone XR or iPhone X

Step 1: Press and hold the Side button + either Volume button.

Step 2: Tap the Cancel button.

You’ll be required to enter your iPhone’s passcode to reenable Face ID.

How to invoke Emergency SOS on iPhone XS, iPhone XR or iPhone X

Note: Emergency SOS will contact emergency authorities and send a text message with your location to your emergency contacts. Obviously, this should only be used in the case of a real emergency.

Step 1: Press and hold the Side button + either Volume button.

Step 2: Continue holding these buttons as the Emergency SOS countdown continues or slide the SOS button on the Emergency SOS slider.

Conclusion

If you’re coming from an older device like the iPhone 6s, iPhone 7, or iPhone 8, then it may take a while to get used to the new mechanics to force restart iPhone XS, enter recovery mode, etc. Because the Home button no longer exists on newer devices like the iPhone X, iPhone XS and XS Max, and iPhone XR, Apple had to come up with an alternative method. I recommend bookmarking this page, as it’ll serve as a good memory refresh in case you ever need to force restart iPhone XS, or perform any of the aforementioned functions.

For more details on the iPhone XS, be sure to watch our hands-on video as we discuss the device’s top new features and changes. Be sure to subscribe to 9to5Mac on YouTube for more videos.