To power off iPhone 13 without touching the screen, press and hold the side button and either volume button until the power-off slider appears, then drag the slider. This is one of three documented methods for shutting down an iPhone 13 when the touchscreen is broken, frozen, or unresponsive, though all methods require a final screen tap.
Use the side and volume buttons
This is the primary documented method for powering off an iPhone 13 without relying on a fully functional touchscreen. It works when the screen is partially responsive or completely frozen.
- Press and hold the side button and either volume button simultaneously.
- Continue holding both buttons until the power-off slider appears on the screen.
- Drag the slider to complete the shutdown.
Apple documents this as the standard shutdown sequence for iPhone with Face ID, which includes the iPhone 13. There is no separate volume-button-only shutdown path for this device.
Use the Settings app to shut down
This method is useful if the screen has partial touch functionality, allowing you to navigate menus even if the main display gestures are unreliable.
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap General.
- Scroll down and tap Shut Down.
- Drag the power-off slider.
This path works through software rather than physical buttons, making it a viable alternative when the side or volume buttons are difficult to press.
Use Control Center to shut down
Control Center offers another touch-based shutdown option that may be accessible even when the main screen is unresponsive.
- Open Control Center.
- Touch and hold in the top-right corner of the screen.
- Drag the power-off slider.
This method is documented by Apple as a standard shutdown path for iPhone 13 and other Face ID models.
What to do if your iPhone 13 is completely frozen
When the screen is entirely unresponsive and none of the shutdown methods work, a force restart can restore control without data loss. This does not power off the phone but forces it to reboot.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Up button.
- Press and quickly release the Volume Down button.
- Press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
After the phone restarts, you can use one of the documented shutdown methods to power it off normally. A force restart is a troubleshooting step, not a replacement for powering your phone on and off.
If the touchscreen remains unresponsive after a force restart, you can enable AssistiveTouch via Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch. AssistiveTouch can be toggled on/off using the Accessibility Shortcut by triple-clicking the side button on iPhone with Face ID. The AssistiveTouch method involves tapping the on-screen icon, then Device > Lock Screen to put the phone into sleep mode.
Alternatively, Siri can be activated by pressing and holding the Side button or saying 'Hey Siri'. The Siri method uses the voice command 'Power off my iPhone' to initiate shutdown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can iPhone 13 be turned off without touching the screen at all?
No. Apple documents button-based shutdown, but the user still has to interact with the on-screen slider to complete the shutdown. There is no true screen-free shutdown in Apple's documentation for iPhone 13.
Does AssistiveTouch provide a documented power-off button?
Not in the retrieved Apple support pages.
Is Siri documented for powering off iPhone 13?
No. In the retrieved Apple support pages, Siri is documented for accessibility and voice-control settings, but not as a supported way to power off iPhone 13.
Why does the shutdown still require touching the screen?
Apple's shutdown sequence for iPhone 13 always requires dragging the on-screen slider to prevent accidental shutdowns. The physical buttons only bring up the slider; the final confirmation requires touch input.
