How to Turn On a Cellphone: A Beginner's Guide

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How to turn on any cell phone and fix boot-up issues
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This wikiHow teaches how to turn on your cell phone, as well as troubleshoot a cell phone that isn't turning on when you press the power button.

How to Turn On Any Cell Phone

The power button for most cell phones is on the right side of the device. However, some models may have the power button on the top or the back. To turn on your phone, press and hold the power button until the screen lights up and shows the phone's logo.

Section 1 of 7:

Using iPhone

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  1. This is also called the side button on most modern iPhone models. The button location varies depending on your iPhone model:
    • iPhone 6 and newer: You'll find the power button along the right side of the phone.
    • iPhone 5 and older: The power button can be found along the top edge of the phone.
  2. If the iPhone is already on, the screen will wake up and you can unlock the screen. If the iPhone is off, you'll need to keep holding the button until you see the Apple logo.
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  3. The Apple logo indicates that your iPhone is loading. It may take a minute or so before your lock screen appears.
  4. After booting up, you'll have to unlock the screen before you can start using the iPhone.
    • iPhones without a Home Button: Swipe up on the screen and enter your passcode, if you have one enabled.
    • iPhones with a Home Button: Press the Home Button, then enter your passcode (if you have one).
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Section 2 of 7:

Using Android

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  1. You'll find the power button for your Android device along the right edge.
    • Most Android phones (such as Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel) will have the power button in a similar location.
    • The LG G series has a power button on the back panel of the phone.
  2. If your device was already on, the screen will turn on immediately. If it was off, you'll need to hold the power button until it turns on.
  3. The manufacturer logo will appear on your screen once your phone has turned on and is beginning to boot up. Your phone may also vibrate.
  4. Tap and drag the padlock icon to unlock your screen.
  5. If you have a passcode or pattern lock enabled for your Android, you'll be prompted to enter it after turning your phone on.
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Section 3 of 7:

Charging the Phone

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  1. The most common reason a phone will not turn on is because its battery is completely dead. Plug your phone into its charger and wait at least 15 minutes before trying to turn it on again.
  2. There may be a problem with the outlet you were using if the phone is still not charging.
  3. Your power adapter or the USB cable you're using may be damaged. Try a different charger to see if your phone will start charging.
  4. Charging ports tend to accumulate lint if your phone spends a lot of time in your pocket. Use a flashlight to look into the charging port and pick out any lint with a toothpick.
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Section 4 of 7:

Rebooting a Frozen Phone

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  1. For most phones, the power button is located on the right side of the phone. However, some models may have the power button along the top side (like some older iPhone models) or on the back (like the LG G series).
  2. Depending on your phone's model, the steps will change:
    • iPhone:
      • Press and release the volume up button.
      • Press and release the volume down button.
      • Press and hold the power button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. [1]
    • Android:
      • Press and hold the power button and either the volume up (Google Pixel 6 and later) or volume down (Samsung Galaxy and LG) until the phone restarts.
        • On Google Pixel 5 and earlier, press and hold the power button for 30 seconds.
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Section 5 of 7:

Checking the Battery

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  1. Many older Android phones have batteries that can be removed by taking the back panel off. If your phone has a removable battery, you may be able to reseat or replace it to get your phone working again.
    • iPhone batteries are not removable without dismantling the phone.
    • Many newer Android devices do not have removable batteries either.
  2. Sometimes taking the battery out and then putting it back in can fix the power problems your phone is having. Make sure you reinsert the battery in the same position it was in originally.
  3. If you've had your phone for a while, the battery may no longer be functioning. If your battery is removable, obtaining a replacement may breathe life back into your phone.
    • If your battery is not removable, you may still be able to replace it by dismantling your phone. This is a very advanced process, and there is a lot of risk of permanently damaging your phone.
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Section 6 of 7:

Using Recovery Mode (iPhone)

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  1. You can use Recovery Mode to try to reset your iPhone and fix your boot problems. This will delete the data on your device, but you may be able to get it working again.
    • You can use any computer, as long as it's updated (Mac) or has iTunes or the Apple Devices app (Windows). You don't have to have previously synced with the computer.
  2. If you're on Windows, install the Apple Devices app from the Microsoft Store [2] or download and install iTunes from Apple .
  3. To get this screen to appear, you must do the following:
    • iPhone 8 or later: Press and release the volume up button, then press and release the volume down button. Then press and hold the side button until you see the "Connect to computer" screen.
    • iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Press and hold the top/side button and volume down button at the same time until you see the "Connect to computer" screen.
    • iPhone 6s or earlier: Press and hold the top/side button and Home Button at the same time until you see the "Connect to computer" screen.
  4. If you have a backup of your phone on your computer, you can restore from the backup. Otherwise, all of your settings and data will be deleted.
    • You'll be able to sign in with your Apple ID during the setup process and restore any iCloud data to your iPhone, such as contacts, calendars, and app purchases.
  5. You'll be taken through the initial setup screens that you used when you first got your iPhone. When you sign in with your Apple ID, you'll restore all of your iCloud data, such as contacts and calendars, as well as your App Store and iTunes purchases.
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Section 7 of 7:

Using Recovery Mode (Android)

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  1. It's best to ensure that your Android has a constant power source during the restore process. This will also help make sure that your Android wasn't just low on power.
  2. These are the most common buttons to enter Recovery Mode for Android, but some devices use a different combination.
    • If you're using a Samsung Galaxy device, press and hold power + Volume Up + Home
  3. You'll see the Android mascot and a text menu appear on the screen.
    • If your device still does not power on and display the recovery menu, and you've done everything else in this article, it may be time for a replacement.
  4. Pressing these will let you scroll through the options.
  5. The power button selects your highlighted menu option.
  7. This confirms the restore and begins the wiping process. All of the data will be erased during the reset.
  8. This may take 20 minutes or so to complete.
  9. Once the restore is complete, you'll be taken through the new device setup. If you log back in with your Google account, all your Google Cloud data, such as contacts and calendar data, will be restored.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    My phone says "Emergency calls only". What should I do?
    Community Answer
    Usually this means you are in an area with bad reception, so try taking the phone outside or close to a window if you're indoors. If you have a prepaid phone, it might be time to refill it. Lastly, your service may have been cancelled by your provider. Call your service provider from another phone to resolve issue if nothing else helps.
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    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1
  • Question
    How do I turn up the volume?
    Community Answer
    There are two buttons, a plus and a minus, to adjust volume. On an iPhone they are on the left side. On an Android they are on the back.
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  • Question
    I have pressed the end call button, and nothing has happened. What can I do?
    Community Answer
    Make sure the phone is fully charged, then try pressing and holding down the END CALL button. On a smartphone, there should be a power button, like the VOL UP/DOWN, but smaller. It's most likely on the top, left, or right of the phone.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/iphone/force-restart-iphone-iph8903c3ee6/ios
      2. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/devices-windows/install-the-apple-devices-app-mchl5ded2763/windows

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