iPhone Keeps Turning On and Off? Here's How to Fix It

If you’re dealing with an iPhone that keeps turning on and off, you’re definitely not alone. This is one of those super annoying problems that can make you want to throw your phone against the wall. One minute you’re scrolling through Instagram, the next your screen goes black, then the Apple logo appears, and the cycle repeats endlessly.

I’ve seen countless forum posts where people describe exactly this scenario – their iPhone turns off by itself, then powers back on, only to shut down again moments later. It’s incredibly frustrating when your device seems to have a mind of its own, and you’re left wondering why does my iPhone keep turning off like this.

Table of Contents

Understanding Why Your iPhone Keeps Turning On and Off
Professional Solution for iPhone Random Shutdowns
Additional Methods to Stop iPhone Random Restarts
Choosing the Right Solution for Your Situation
Preventing Future iPhone Random Shutdown Issues
Final Thoughts on iPhone Random Power Cycling

Understanding Why Your iPhone Keeps Turning On and Off

Before we jump into solutions, it helps to understand what might be causing your iPhone keeps turning on and off behavior. There are several common culprits that could explain why your iPhone keeps on turning off unexpectedly.

Software Update ProblemsSometimes a failed iOS update can really mess with your phone’s normal operation. If you recently tried updating to iOS 18 or even the newer iOS 26 and something went wrong during the process, this could definitely cause your iPhone to start acting up with constant reboots.

Malware and Security IssuesWhile iPhones are generally secure, installing apps from outside the App Store can sometimes introduce problems. Malicious software can interfere with normal operations and cause your iPhone keeps shutting on and off repeatedly.

Overheating ConcernsUsing your iPhone while it’s charging, especially for processor-intensive tasks like gaming or video streaming, can cause it to overheat. When this happens, your phone might automatically shut down to prevent damage to its internal components.

Storage Space LimitationsWhen your iPhone runs critically low on storage space, it can struggle to perform basic operations. This storage crunch can sometimes manifest as your iPhone turns off by itself and then restarts repeatedly.

Physical DamageIf you’ve dropped your phone, exposed it to liquid, or have an aging battery, these hardware issues could be why your iPhone keeps turning off and on. Physical damage often shows up as unpredictable behavior like constant rebooting.

Professional Solution for iPhone Random Shutdowns

When your iPhone keeps turning on and off, most traditional fixes come with the risk of losing your precious photos, messages, and other data. That’s why I always recommend starting with a specialized tool designed to fix these issues without the data loss headache.

iMyFone Fixppo.Downgrade iOS 26 to 18 or upgrade to iOS 26, no jailbreak.Repair 150+ iOS/iPadOS/tvOS system issues like stuck on Apple logo, boot loop, black screen without losing data.Free enter/exit Recovery Mode on iPhone and iPad with one-click.Factory reset iPhone/iPad/Apple TV without passcode/iTunes/Finder.Back up and restore iPhone data without iTunes/iCloud.Fix various iOS bugs at home for you to smoothly use your device.Support all iOS versions and devices including iOS 26/18 and iPhone 17.Fixppo only performs system repair with the user’s permission.

Check More Details | Download Now! | Check All Deals

What makes this approach stand out is how it tackles the root cause of why your iPhone keeps turning off without putting your personal information at risk. The process is straightforward and doesn’t require any technical expertise.

Here’s how to use it when your iPhone keeps on turning off:

After installing the software, launch it and click the Start button to begin.

Step 1: Select Standard Mode – this ensures all your data remains safe while fixing the issue that causes your iPhone to turn off by itself.

Step 2: The program will detect your device and show the appropriate firmware. Click Download to get the necessary files.

Step 3: Once downloading completes, click Start Standard Repair and wait while the software resolves why your iPhone keeps turning off and on. Keep your device connected throughout the process.

Within about five minutes, your iPhone should be functioning normally again. When it restarts, just enter your passcode and you’ll find all your data intact and the random shutdown issue resolved.

Additional Methods to Stop iPhone Random Restarts

If you prefer to try some manual troubleshooting first, here are several other approaches that might help when your iPhone keeps shutting on and off. These range from simple tricks to more involved procedures.

Battery Calibration Method

Sometimes when your iPhone turns off by itself repeatedly, it could be due to battery calibration issues. This is a simple approach that doesn’t require any technical skill.

Let your iPhone’s battery drain completely until the device powers down on its own. This might take a while if your phone keeps restarting, but be patient. Once it’s fully discharged, connect it to a power source and let it charge to 100% without interruption.

This full discharge and recharge cycle can sometimes reset the battery’s power management system and stop the behavior where your iPhone keeps turning off and on.

Free Up Storage Space

When your iPhone keeps on turning off, insufficient storage could be the culprit. Here’s how to check and clear space:

Navigate to Settings > General > iPhone Storage to see what’s consuming your space. Look for apps you no longer use, old messages, and photos or videos you can backup elsewhere and then delete from your device.

Having at least 1-2GB of free space can often resolve issues where your iPhone turns off by itself due to storage-related system conflicts.

Remove Problematic Applications

If your iPhone keeps turning off after installing a specific app, that application might be causing compatibility issues. Try uninstalling recently added apps to see if the random shutdowns stop.

Pay particular attention to apps from outside the App Store, as these are more likely to cause stability problems that make your iPhone keeps shutting on and off.

Force Restart Your Device

A force restart can sometimes break the cycle when your iPhone keeps turning on and off. The method varies by model:

For iPhone 8 and newer: Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

For iPhone 7 models: Press and hold both the Side and Volume Down buttons until the Apple logo appears.

For iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold both the Home and Side (or Top) buttons until you see the Apple logo.

While a force restart might temporarily stop your iPhone from turning off by itself, it often doesn’t address the underlying system issues causing the problem.

Update Your iOS Version

Apple frequently releases iOS updates that include bug fixes for issues like random shutdowns. To check for updates, go to Settings > General > Software Update.

If an update is available, ensure you have sufficient storage and battery life (or connect to power) before installing. Sometimes the very issue of your iPhone keeps turning off can be resolved with a software update that addresses the specific bug causing it.

Restore via iTunes

If your iPhone keeps turning on and off, restoring through iTunes is an option, but it comes with a significant drawback – complete data loss unless you have a recent backup.

First, ensure you have the latest version of iTunes installed on your computer. Connect your iPhone, select your device in iTunes, and choose the Restore iPhone option.

Follow the prompts to restore and update your device. This process will erase everything on your iPhone and install the latest iOS version.

After the restore completes, you can set up your iPhone as new or restore from a backup if you have one. The major downside is that if your backup was created after the issue started, you might restore the problem too.

Recovery Mode Restoration

If iTunes doesn’t recognize your device because your iPhone keeps turning off and on too rapidly, you might need to use recovery mode.

The process varies by iPhone model:

For iPhone 8 or later: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side button until the recovery mode screen appears.

For iPhone 7 models: Press and hold both the Side and Volume Down buttons until you see the recovery mode screen.

For iPhone 6s and earlier: Press and hold both the Home and Side (or Top) buttons until the recovery mode screen appears.

Once in recovery mode, iTunes should detect your device and give you the option to restore.

Like the standard iTunes restore, this method will erase all your data while attempting to fix why your iPhone keeps turning off.

Seek Professional Repair

If you’ve tried everything and your iPhone still keeps turning on and off, the issue might be hardware-related. This could include a failing battery, water damage, or other physical component issues.

In such cases, visiting an Apple Store or authorized service provider might be your best option. They can run diagnostics to determine if there’s a hardware problem causing your iPhone to turn off by itself repeatedly.

Choosing the Right Solution for Your Situation

When dealing with an iPhone that keeps turning off and on, your choice of solution should consider several factors:

Data Preservation – If you haven’t backed up recently and can’t afford to lose your photos, messages, and other data, starting with a tool like Fixppo makes the most sense since it fixes the issue without data loss.

Time Investment – Some methods like battery draining can take hours, while professional software typically resolves the issue in minutes.

Technical Comfort – If you’re not comfortable with technical procedures like recovery mode, simpler solutions or professional help might be better options.

Underlying Cause – Software issues respond well to system repair tools and restores, while hardware problems require professional repair.

Check More Details | Download Now! | Check All Deals

Preventing Future iPhone Random Shutdown Issues

Once you’ve resolved why your iPhone keeps turning off, you can take steps to prevent it from happening again:

Maintain at least 10% of your storage space free
Install iOS updates promptly but ensure you have adequate storage and battery first
Avoid using your iPhone while it’s charging, especially for resource-intensive tasks
Only download apps from the official App Store
Handle your device carefully to prevent physical damage
Consider replacing your battery if it’s older than 2-3 years and not holding charge well

Final Thoughts on iPhone Random Power Cycling

Dealing with an iPhone that keeps turning on and off can test anyone’s patience. The important thing to remember is that in most cases, this problem is solvable without losing your valuable data.

Whether you choose to use specialized software, try manual troubleshooting methods, or seek professional help, the key is to approach the situation methodically. Start with the solutions that preserve your data and work your way toward more intensive methods if necessary.

If your iPhone keeps turning off despite trying these solutions, it might be time to consult with Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for hardware diagnostics. Sometimes what appears to be a software issue can actually be early signs of hardware failure.

Remember that persistent issues where your iPhone turns off by itself repeatedly are usually fixable, so don’t lose hope. With the right approach, you can get your device back to normal operation and prevent the frustration of unexpected shutdowns.

Some images in this article are sourced from iMyFone.