How to Fix Hardware Issues on an iPhone

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

This guide will walk you through troubleshooting steps for common iOS hardware issues.

2. Close Running Applications

1. Double press the Home button rapidly.
   

1. You will now see a list of apps that are currently open. Swipe up on any of the apps to close them.
   

3. Restart

1. Hold down the lock/power button.
2. Slide to power off when prompted.
3. Wait until the phone is off.
4. Hold down the lock/power button until you see the Apple logo.

4. Check App Updates

1. If an app has an update available, the App Store will show a number in a red circle next to it.
   

1. Choose the App Store on your home screen.
2. Choose Updates at the bottom, then choose Update All on the top-right.
   

5. Background App Refresh

Background App Refresh allows apps to refresh their content in the background while connected to Wi-Fi. Disabling any non-essential apps may improve battery life.

1. Open the Settings app on the home screen.
   

1. Tap on General.
   

1. Tap on Background App Refresh.
   

1. Toggle individual apps on/off to decide if they will update in the background.
   

6. Turn off Bluetooth

1. Open Settings.
   

1. Go to Bluetooth.
   

1. Tap the toggle switch to the right of Bluetooth to turn it off.
   

7. Toggle Wi-Fi

1. Open the Settings app on the Home page.
   

1. Tap on Wi-Fi.
   

1. Toggle Wi-Fi On/Off to Enable/Disable Wi-Fi.
   

8. Low Power Mode

This function is not available on all iOS devices.

Low Power Mode temporarily reduces power consumption until you are able to charge your phone. This is done by turning off functions such has mail fetch, Hey Siri, background app refresh, automatic downloads, and some visual effects.

1. Open the Settings app on the home page.
2. Tap on Battery.
3. Toggle Low Power Mode On/Off to Enable/Disable this feature.
   

9. What's next?

10. Charge

Your iPhone may be low on charge. Go ahead and plug it in and allow it to charge.

11. Forcibly Restart Device

To forcibly restart your device hold the sleep/wake button and the Home button at the same time for approximately 5 seconds until you see a white apple. Depending on the type of iOS device you have the Sleep/Wake button may be located in different locations.

On the side:

On the top:

12. Recovery Mode Restore

This operation will completely wipe all data and info from the device. If your device was logged into iCloud, you will be prompted to enter your iCloud credentials before you can use the phone after the restore is completed.

1. Connect your iOS device to your computer and open iTunes. If you don't have a computer, borrow one from a friend, or go to an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.
2. While your device is connected, force restart it:

• On an iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus: Press and quickly release the Volume Up button. Then press and quickly release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.
• On an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and hold both the Side and Volume Down buttons at the same time. Keep holding them until you see the recovery mode screen.
• On an iPhone 6s and earlier, iPad, or iPod touch: Press and hold both the Home and the Top (or Side) buttons at the same time. Keep holding them until you see the recovery mode screen.
  

13. What's next?

14. Forcibly Restart Device

To forcibly restart your device hold the sleep/wake button and the Home button at the same time for approximately 5 seconds until you see a white apple. Depending on the type of iOS device you have the Sleep/Wake button may be located in different locations.

On the side:

On the top:

15. Reset Your Settings

The following steps will reset your iOS preferences to defaults. Your applications and data will not be removed.

1. Select Settings.
   

1. Select General.
   

1. Select Reset.
   

1. Select Reset All Settings.
   

1. Enter your iPhone's passcode (if prompted), and on the following confirmation screen, select Reset All Settings.
   

16. iTunes Restore

Restoring your device will erase all data from your iOS device. Prior to performing a restore, you may want to perform an iCloud backup or a manual backup in iTunes.

Before restoring the device, we must disable the Find My Device from your iOS device.

1. Open Settings from the Home Screen.
   

1. Tap on Accounts & Passwords.
   

1. Tap on your iCloud account.
   

1. Tap on Find My iOS Device.
   

1. Toggle Find My iOS Device off.
   

1. Enter your Apple ID Password to disable the Find My iOS Device function.

The following steps will walk you through restoring your iOS device to factory defaults.

1. Connect your device to the computer and open iTunes.
   

1. Click on Restore [your device].
   

1. Click on Restore.
   

1. You may be prompted to download the firmware for your devices. If this happens select Next to continue.
   

1. The download will now start. Leave your device plugged in and once the download finishes it will start the restore. You can view your progress of the download by clicking the downloads button that appears while downloading is in progress.
   

1. Once the restore is complete (which takes approximately 15 minutes), you will be asked if you want to restore from a backup. Use the following guidelines to decide which option is the best.
   Setup As NewThis is the suggested setup if you are resetting your device to troubleshoot issues. This will set up the device like you first purchased it and will not carry over any software issue you may have had before restoring.iCloud RestoreiCloud restores are the suggested method if you are swapping to a new device. It is recommended to do this step when you will be on a Wi-Fi connection for good period of time as it may take awhile to finish.iTunes RestoreiTunes restores are the suggested method if you normally since your device solely with iTunes.

17. What's next?

18. Restart

1. Hold down the lock/power button.
2. Slide to power off when prompted.
3. Wait until the phone is off.
4. Hold down the lock/power button until you see the Apple logo.

19. Clean Sensor

Use a cloth and clean the sensor.

20. Manage Touch ID Settings

To access Touch ID & Passcode Settings, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings from the Home Screen.
   

1. Tap on Touch ID & Passcode.
   

1. Enter your passcode (if any).
   

To enable or disable the use of Touch ID follow these steps:

1. Toggle the Settings On/Off depending on what you would like to use.

To Delete a fingerprint follow these steps:

1. Tap on the fingerprint you wish to remove.
   

1. Tap on Delete Fingerprint.
   

To add a fingerprint:

1. Tap on Add a Fingerprint.
   

1. Follow the on-screen instructions to add a new fingerprint.
   

21. iTunes Restore

Restoring your device will erase all data from your iOS device. Prior to performing a restore, you may want to perform an iCloud backup or a manual backup in iTunes.

Before restoring the device, we must disable the Find My Device from your iOS device.

1. Open Settings from the Home Screen.
   

1. Tap on Accounts & Passwords.
   

1. Tap on your iCloud account.
   

1. Tap on Find My iOS Device.
   

1. Toggle Find My iOS Device off.
   

1. Enter your Apple ID Password to disable the Find My iOS Device function.

The following steps will walk you through restoring your iOS device to factory defaults.

1. Connect your device to the computer and open iTunes.
   

1. Click on Restore [your device].
   

1. Click on Restore.
   

1. You may be prompted to download the firmware for your devices. If this happens select Next to continue.
   

1. The download will now start. Leave your device plugged in and once the download finishes it will start the restore. You can view your progress of the download by clicking the downloads button that appears while downloading is in progress.
   

1. Once the restore is complete (which takes approximately 15 minutes), you will be asked if you want to restore from a backup. Use the following guidelines to decide which option is the best.
   Setup As NewThis is the suggested setup if you are resetting your device to troubleshoot issues. This will set up the device like you first purchased it and will not carry over any software issue you may have had before restoring.iCloud RestoreiCloud restores are the suggested method if you are swapping to a new device. It is recommended to do this step when you will be on a Wi-Fi connection for good period of time as it may take awhile to finish.iTunes RestoreiTunes restores are the suggested method if you normally since your device solely with iTunes.

22. What's next?

23. Determine Radio Issue

The following steps will help to troubleshoot different radio issues.  Let's find out what type of radio issues you're having.

24. Connecting your iOS device to Wi-Fi

Show Me HowClicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.

25. Resolving iPod Touch Bluetooth issues

Show Me HowClicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.

26. No Service or Searching on Your iPhone

Show Me HowClicking this button will open a new guide that will provide you with steps to resolve your issue.

27. Audio Levels

If your all the way down you will not be able to hear any audio. We will check to make sure your volume isn't muted.

• Set the audio level by pressing the volume keys.
  

• 
  
  
• You can also use the Control Center by swiping up from the home screen. Use the volume slider to set the audio level. Sliding to the far right sets the volume to maximum.
  

28. Disconnect Bluetooth Device

We need to check to make sure you're not connected to another Bluetooth device.

1. Open the Settings app on the Home screen.
   

1. Tap on Bluetooth.
   

1. Look for any device that says Connected.
   

1. Tap on the (i).
   

1. Tap on Disconnect.
   

29. What's next?