How do you force restart an iPhone 8 or later?

To force restart an iPhone 8 or later, the correct method is to quickly press and release the Volume Up button, followed by quickly pressing and releasing the Volume Down button, and then finally, press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears. This sequence is a specific combination of button presses that effectively resets the device when it becomes unresponsive or is experiencing issues.

The rationale behind this method is that it engages the device's internal hardware reset function, allowing it to restart without needing to go through the normal shutdown process. This method was introduced with the iPhone 8, as earlier models utilized the Home button for this procedure.

Understanding the specific button sequences is vital for troubleshooting Apple devices, as this knowledge is foundational for performing basic repairs or when dealing with unresponsive devices.