ByManually powering an iPhone off and back on can be a time-consuming task these days, especially when troubleshooting, apps freeze, or the system slows down. Creating a Restart iPhone Shortcut can help restart the entire device with just one tap.
In this detailed guide, we’ll explain step-by-step how to create a Restart Shortcut on an iPhone, add it to the Home screen, run it with a back tap, and set up automation.
What is the Restart iPhone Shortcut and Why It’s Useful
The Restart Shortcut is a custom command created using the Apple Shortcuts app. This command restarts the iPhone directly without pressing the power button.
This is especially useful when:
- The iPhone’s screen isn’t responding
- The power button isn’t working properly
- The system is frequently hanging
- A restart is required during development or testing
The complete process for creating a Restart Shortcut on an iPhone
Step 1: Open the Shortcuts app
First, open the Apple Shortcuts app on your iPhone. If the app isn’t visible, search for it in the App Library.
Step 2: Create a new Shortcut
1. Tap the “+” (Plus) icon in the top right.
2. Click “Add Action.”
3. Type “Shutdown” in the search box.
Step 3: Choose the Shutdown Action
When you see the “Shutdown” option, select it.
Then:
Tap the “Shutdown” text.
Select “Restart” from the dropdown.
Your shortcut is now ready to restart your iPhone.
Step 4: Set the Shortcut’s Name and Icon
1. Tap the “i” or Settings icon at the top.
2. Name the Shortcut: Restart iPhone
3. Customize the icon and color.
4. Click “Add to Home Screen.”
The Restart iPhone Shortcut will now appear on your Home Screen.
How to Add the Restart iPhone Button to the Home Screen
In the Shortcut Settings:
Select “Add to Home Screen.”
Choose a custom photo or icon.
Tap “Add.”
Now, your iPhone will restart with just one tap.
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How to Restart iPhone with Back Tap
If you want an even faster way, use the Back Tap feature.
Setting Up Back Tap
1. Open Settings
2. Go to Accessibility
3. Tap Touch
4. Scroll down and select “Back Tap.”
5. Select “Restart iPhone Shortcut” under Double Tap or Triple Tap.
Now, double-tapping the back of the iPhone will restart the device.
Set up an automatic restart with Automation
If you want your iPhone to restart at a specific time every day, create an automation.
Automation Setup
1. Open the Shortcuts app
2. Select the Automation tab
3. Tap “Create Personal Automation.”
4. Select “Time of Day.”
5. Set the time
6. Add “Run Shortcut” to the action
7. Select the Restart iPhone Shortcut
8. Turn off “Ask Before Running.”
Now your iPhone will automatically restart at the set time.
Restart Shortcut not working? Solution
If Shortcut doesn’t work, then:
Update your iOS version
Check Settings > Privacy > Allow Shortcuts
Delete and recreate the Shortcut
Manually restart your iPhone once
Which iPhone models does this feature work on?
This method works on all iPhone models running iOS 16 and above, such as:
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 12
If your device is on the latest update, Restart Shortcut will work without any problems.
Manual Restart vs. Shortcut Restart – Which is Better?
| Feature | Manual Restart | Shortcut Restart |
| ————- | ————– | —————- |
| Time | More | Less |
| Button Usage | Required | Not Required |
| Automation | No | Possible |
| Accessibility | Limited | More |
Clearly, Shortcut Restart is the faster, easier, and smarter method.
What to do if the Power Button is out of order
If the Power Button is out of order, the Restart Shortcut is your safest option. You can also use AssistiveTouch.
Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Turn on AssistiveTouch.
Then add Restart to Custom Actions.
Security and Permission Information
The Restart Shortcut is completely safe because it’s a system-level command authorized by Apple. It doesn’t rely on any third-party apps.
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Pro Tips for Advanced Users
Give Siri the command: “Hey Siri, restart my iPhone.”
Trigger a restart using an NFC tag
Create a Multiple Conditions Automation
Set a restart based on battery level
Why is it beneficial to restart your iPhone regularly?
Regular restarts:
Clear RAM
Stop background processes
Fix system bugs
Improves performance
Helps with battery optimization
We recommend restarting your iPhone at least once a week.
Conclusion
If we want to make our iPhone usage smarter, creating a Restart iPhone shortcut is an extremely useful step. This not only saves time but also improves device performance. We explained above how the Shortcuts app lets us restart our iPhone with just a single tap, a double-tap, or through automation.
Now you can easily set up this feature on your iPhone and avoid having to manually press the power button every time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Restart iPhone Shortcut
1. Can we restart an iPhone without pressing the power button?
Yes, we can restart an iPhone in just one tap without pressing the power button by creating a Restart iPhone Shortcut. This is done using the Apple Shortcuts app.
2. Which iOS version is required to create a Restart Shortcut?
This feature generally works best on iOS 16 or higher. If your iPhone is updated, this process will run smoothly.
3. Is the Restart Shortcut completely safe?
Yes, it is completely safe because it is based on Apple’s official system commands. It does not require any third-party apps or unauthorized access.
4. Can we restart an iPhone with Siri?
Yes, if you’ve created a Shortcut, you can say to Siri, “Hey Siri, Restart my iPhone,” and your device will restart.
5. What if the Shortcut isn’t working?
Update your iPhone to the latest iOS version
Delete and recreate the Shortcut
Check Shortcuts permissions in Settings
Manually restart the iPhone once.
6. Can we restart the iPhone with Back Tap?
Yes, you can assign the Restart Shortcut you created to Back Tap in the Accessibility settings. After this, a double or triple-tap will restart the iPhone.
7. Does this method work on all iPhone models?
This feature works smoothly on most newer models, such as:
- iPhone 15 Pro
- iPhone 14
- iPhone 13
- iPhone 12
provided the iOS is updated.
8. Is it okay to restart the iPhone daily?
Restarting daily isn’t necessary, but weekly restarts improve system performance and memory management.
9. Can Automation automatically restart an iPhone?
Yes, we can automatically restart an iPhone at a scheduled time by setting up a personal automation in the Shortcuts app.
10. Is a jailbreak required?
No, creating a Restart Shortcut doesn’t require any jailbreak. This is Apple’s official and safe method.
