I just got the iPhone 15 and I’m having trouble figuring out how to turn it off. The process seems different than my previous phone, and I can’t find an explanation that works. Could someone explain how to do this step by step?
Turning off the iPhone 15? Ah, the modern odyssey of finding the off button. Trust me, you’re not alone. Here’s the deal: Apple, in their infinite wisdom, decided to complicate the simplest task. To power off your shiny new iPhone 15, you’ll need to simultaneously press and hold the Side Button (formerly known as the Power Button — oh, how we miss simpler times) and either the Volume Up or Volume Down button.
Hold them until you see the “slide to power off” slider appear. Slide it, and voilà, the phone turns off. No, it’s not magic. It’s just unnecessarily complex because clearly, we don’t need an easy power button anymore.
But wait! What if you’re feeling a little fancy? You can also use the Settings app to turn it off. Go to Settings > General and scroll down to find the “Shut Down” option. Tap that, and you’re greeted by the same slider. Insert dramatic sigh here.
It’s almost like they don’t want you turning it off. Apple: innovating and confusing since 1976. Good luck remembering this the next time your battery’s dying, and your fingers are fumbling in frustration.
Oh boy, turning off the iPhone 15 does feel like solving a riddle Apple didn’t think we’d ask for! Honestly, I’m not loving the over-complication either, but hey, they’re keeping us on our toes. Anyway, apart from the button combo explained by @viajantedoceu (side button + either volume button), here’s another thought to ease the chaos.
Did you know you can just ask Siri to turn your phone off? Yeah, no button gymnastics needed. Just say, “Hey Siri, turn off my phone,” and the power-off slider should pop right up. Slide it, and bam, off it goes. Of course, this assumes Siri’s set up and listening—it’s not foolproof, but hey, it could save you from pressing the wrong buttons in a panic.
Alternatively, consider not turning it off at all. Gasps in Apple loyalty. I know that sounds wild, but let’s be real—phones are built to stay on. Airplane Mode or Do Not Disturb might handle most of the “turning it off” scenarios without actually shutting it down.
Still, Apple truly has us jumping through hoops these days. Every time they “innovate,” it feels like they’re testing who’s willing to Google how to use their own device.
Haha, turning off an iPhone 15—what a saga, right? First off, let me say, the suggestions by @cazadordeestrellas and @viajantedoceu are solid. Pressing the Side Button + Volume Button works if you’ve got the finger coordination of a master gymnast, and using Settings is great if you prefer a leisurely, step-by-step journey to shutting down your phone. However, I think this entire process feels a little excessive when there could just be one darn button that does the job—like in the good ol’ iPhone 5 days.
But here’s a different perspective: maybe Apple wants us to avoid shutting down entirely. If uptime is king, they’ve certainly succeeded in keeping us running all the time. That being said, here’s another option to mix it up: force restart it. Not to actually turn your phone “off” per se, but if your phone is frozen or sluggish and you’ve lost all patience, try pressing Volume Up quickly, then Volume Down quickly, and finally hold the Side Button until the Apple logo appears. While it’s not a true power-off, it reloads your device to a fresh start.
Cons of the iPhone 15 power-down process? Way too convoluted. It’s like Apple decided we shouldn’t need to turn off our phones anymore and buried the simple solutions. Siri, Settings, button combos—none of these feel “intuitive.” Pro? You have options. Maybe too many.
Props to @cazadordeestrellas for the Siri mention, which honestly feels underrated. But what happens when Siri’s acting like she doesn’t hear you? And sure, @viajantedoceu is right—Airplane Mode or Do Not Disturb might handle a lot of situations, but don’t we deserve straightforward control over our phones?
Competitors like Samsung and Google Pixel keep dedicated power buttons—with actual power functions. That’s all I’m saying. Apple’s “innovation” sometimes feels like unnecessary hoop-jumping. Maybe they’ll simplify this in future updates. Probably not.
Bottom line: find the method that sticks for you. Or better yet, just leave it on and let the battery gods decide.