A phone that restarts once after an update is usually less concerning than one that reboots several times a day or gets stuck on its logo. The useful clue is the pattern: does it happen when you open a particular app, while the phone is hot, when the battery is low, or even when the phone is sitting untouched?
Start with the checks that do not erase your data. Low storage, a buggy app, a software problem, or overheating can sometimes trigger repeated restarts. A worn battery or damaged hardware can cause similar symptoms, so avoid assuming that every restart is a software issue.
Notice when the phone restarts
- It started after installing an app or update: the new app, update, or a compatibility issue may be involved.
- It happens during games, video calls, or charging: heat or a battery that struggles under load is worth checking.
- It happens at random, even when idle: check available storage and pending updates, but keep battery or hardware problems in mind.
- The phone repeatedly shows its logo: it may be stuck in a restart loop. If it cannot stay on long enough to complete the steps below, skip to the recovery and repair guidance.
Try these fixes first
1. Check the battery and charging basics
If the phone restarts when the battery is nearly empty, charge it with a known-good cable and adapter and see whether the pattern changes. A loose cable or unreliable charger can interrupt charging, although it will not explain every random reboot. If the phone restarts even when well charged, continue with the software checks rather than repeatedly changing chargers.
Look for a battery that drains unusually quickly, a percentage that jumps suddenly, or a phone that shuts off under load. These can point to battery wear. If the case or screen is lifting, the battery looks swollen, or the phone becomes dangerously hot, stop using and charging it and arrange professional service. Do not press the case back together.
2. Make sure the phone is not overheating
Heavy gaming, navigation, video recording, direct sunlight, and charging in a warm place can all raise a phone’s temperature. If it feels unusually hot, disconnect it from the charger, close demanding activity, remove the case if it traps heat, and let the phone cool naturally in a shaded, ventilated place. Do not put it in a refrigerator or against ice.
If restarting tends to happen when the phone heats up, follow the checks in this guide to phone overheating and how to cool it down safely. Repeated overheating can indicate a deeper issue, so do not keep pushing the phone through the same conditions.
3. Free up storage space
Very low storage can interfere with updates and normal system tasks. Open the phone’s storage settings and check how much space remains. Remove downloads you no longer need, delete large files after confirming they are backed up, or uninstall apps you do not use. If photos and videos matter to you, verify that they are safely backed up before deleting local copies.
There is no single free-space number that guarantees a fix. The goal is to give the operating system enough room to work and to make sure an update is not failing because the phone is full.
4. Install system and app updates
A software bug can cause instability, and an update may contain a fix. On iPhone, open Settings > General > Software Update. On Android, look under Settings for System, Software update, or a similarly named option; the wording varies by manufacturer. Also update apps through the App Store or Google Play.
If the restarts began immediately after an update, note that timing. A later patch may resolve the issue, but do not repeatedly interrupt an update or force the phone to shut down while it is installing one. Back up important data when possible.
5. Check whether an app is responsible
If the problem started after installing an app, update it first. If the restarts continue, uninstall that recently added app and use the phone normally for a while before removing anything else. Changing one thing at a time makes it easier to identify the cause.
On many Android phones, Safe Mode temporarily disables downloaded apps. The way to enter it differs by manufacturer and model, so use the instructions for your exact device. If the phone becomes stable in Safe Mode, a downloaded app may be involved. Restart normally and remove recently installed or updated apps one at a time.
Safe Mode is not available in the same way on iPhone. Instead, focus on apps installed or updated just before the problem began, install their latest versions, and remove a likely culprit. If an app itself keeps crashing rather than restarting the whole phone, use these app-crash troubleshooting steps as well.
What to do on an iPhone
If the iPhone is frozen or caught in a loop, try a force restart. On iPhone 8 and later, including models with Face ID, quickly press and release Volume Up, quickly press and release Volume Down, then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. Older models use different button combinations, so check the instructions for your model.
Next, open Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging on supported versions of iOS and check the battery’s condition or any service message. A worn battery can cause unexpected shutdowns, particularly when the phone is under load. For more battery symptoms, see this guide to checking fast battery drain.
If the iPhone remains unstable and simpler checks have not helped, Reset All Settings may be worth considering before erasing the device. It does not delete photos, messages, or apps, but it does reset system preferences, including saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords. Read the confirmation screen carefully before proceeding.
If it still keeps restarting
Back up your phone before trying a factory reset or a full restore. A reset erases local data, and restoring a problematic app or setting from a backup can bring the issue back. Treat this as a last resort after checking storage, updates, heat, and likely app conflicts—not the first step.
If the phone cannot stay on long enough to back up, repeatedly restarts at the logo, or continues restarting after a clean reset or restore, professional diagnosis is the safer next step. A failing battery, damaged power button, liquid damage, or another hardware fault may be responsible. If the phone was recently dropped or exposed to liquid, mention that when arranging service.
When to get the phone checked
- The phone keeps restarting after the basic checks or a clean restore.
- It has a swollen battery, a lifting screen or case, or becomes unusually hot.
- The problem began after a drop, liquid exposure, or repair.
- It cannot remain powered on long enough to complete updates or back up important files.
Check warranty or service options before paying for a repair. If the phone is hot, swollen, or physically damaged, stop troubleshooting and prioritize safety.
The best next step
Match the fix to the pattern. A restart after installing an app calls for app troubleshooting; restarts during heavy use call for a temperature and battery check; random reboots call for storage and software checks. Keep a backup before attempting anything destructive, and do not jump straight to a factory reset. If the phone continues rebooting after these steps, it may need a technician rather than another settings change.