How to Unlock Frozen iPhone With or Without Resetting iPhone

Samuel Spenser Published on May 09, 2026Unlock iOS3-min reading

Freezing is a common problem on almost any iOS device. It may happen in a variety of situations, like you are watching YouTube, posting a large image on Instagram, or sharing a large file. The iPhone screen becomes slow and unresponsive. As a result, you cannot interact with your device or use any feature. Of course, you can fix this problem quickly. However, you need to unlock a frozen iPhone first. This guide shares multiple proven methods.

Part 1. Why an iPhone Is Frozen

Before walking through the ways to unlock a frozen iPad or iPhone, let's learn why this problem happens. In fact, there is not always an obvious cause. Nevertheless, according to our research, the main reasons include:

• 1.Insufficient memory storage.
• 2.Too hot or too cold.
• 3.Outdated software or apps.
• 4.Software glitches.

Part 2. What to Do When the iPhone Is Frozen

You can fix a frozen iPhone by freeing up space, updating software and apps, and using your device properly. However, you need to unlock your frozen iPhone or iPad first, following the methods below:

Method 1: Force Restart a Frozen iPhone

iPhone with Face ID and iPad without a Home button

Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.

Do the same thing to the Volume Down button.

Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.

iPhone 7/7 Plus

Long-press the Volume Down + Side buttons simultaneously.

Let the buttons go once the Apple logo pops up.

iPhone and iPad with a Home button

Hold down the Home + Power buttons together.

Release them when the Apple logo appears.

Method 2: Unlock a Frozen iPhone in Recovery Mode

The button combination is the same as forcing a restart on an iOS device. Once the Recovery Mode screen appears, release the button combination.

Method 3: Unlock a Frozen iPhone on iCloud

Method 4: Unlock a Frozen iPhone Using Another Apple Device

Part 3. How to Unlock a Frozen iPhone

If you forgot your Apple ID password or the above methods are unavailable, try imyPass iPassGo instead. It is able to force unlock any iOS device without restrictions. Moreover, the user-friendly design makes it available to anyone.

How to Unlock Your Frozen iPhone Without a Password

Start the frozen iPhone unlocking software once you install it on your PC. There is another version for Mac. Plug your iPhone into your PC with a Lightning cable. Then, choose the Wipe Passcode mode to proceed.

After your device is detected, click the Start button to load your device information. Check them and click the Start button to initiate downloading the firmware. It may take a while.

Wait for the download to finish and click the Unlock button to proceed. Read the warning notification and confirm unlocking the device again. Next, follow the onscreen prompts to ensure the process and the software will do the job automatically.

Conclusion

This guide shared what to do when your iPhone is frozen. Before fixing this problem, you should follow our methods to unlock your device even if the touchscreen is unresponsive at all. The button combination lets you regain access without losing data. Otherwise, you have to reset your device with iTunes, iCloud, or Find My to unlock it. imyPass iPassGo is the ultimate option to unlock any iPhone or iPad even if the touch screen is frozen and stuck.