iPhone Keeps Restarting Itself? Don’t Panic—Fix It in Minutes

Why Does My iPhone Keep Restarting Itself? Common Causes in 2025

Before you start applying fixes, it’s important to understand what might be causing this problem. Here are the most common reasons for iPhones restarting on their own, especially with the newest 2025 tech.

1. iOS 18 Software Glitches and Update Conflicts

Apple’s iOS 18 brought an impressive range of updates, including on-device AI processing, smarter Siri interactions, Live Activities 2.0, and enhanced security protocols. But with new features often come teething problems. In 2025, many users experienced stability issues with iOS 18.1 beta and the initial rollout of iOS 18.0, particularly on newer iPhones with advanced neural engines like the A17 Pro and A18 Bionic chips.

If iPhone starts restarting shortly after an update, chances are high that a bug or compatibility conflict is the root cause. Apple tends to push quick patches to fix such widespread issues, but some users on beta or public preview versions may face recurring restarts until a stable update is released.

Pro Tip: Always wait a few days before updating to a new major iOS version unless absolutely necessary.

2. App Crashes and Background Conflicts

Certain apps—especially those not optimized for iOS 18 or with poor coding—can crash silently and cause background instability. Apps that aggressively use system resources (such as VPNs, mobile games, fitness apps with live tracking, or camera-intensive apps) can trigger a memory overflow or background error, forcing the phone to restart to recover.

Recently installed a new app or game, or notice the restarts occur when using a particular app, this might be your culprit. Background refresh and location services interacting poorly with iOS can also cause this.

Helpful Insight: Some users have reported issues specifically with older versions of popular VPN apps and social media apps with real-time syncing features.

3. Battery Health Problems in Older or Refurbished Models

Even if you’re using a newer iPhone SE 3 or iPhone 14, battery health can degrade faster than expected—especially if you’re using fast chargers, third-party cables, or a device that was previously refurbished. If the battery drops below 80% health or has an unstable power draw, the device may force a restart as a protection measure.

Apple’s smart Battery Health Management in 2025 does a good job at managing performance and battery longevity. But problems may still arise from unofficial battery replacements, miscalibrated power cells, or damaged connectors.

Tip: Don’t ignore the “Service” warning under battery settings—it’s often a sign that your phone is struggling to maintain consistent power delivery.

4. Corrupted System Files or Incomplete Data Transfers

Another possible reason why your iPhone keeps restarting itself is due to system file corruption. This typically occurs after a failed iOS update, unsuccessful iCloud restore, or when transferring data from another device. Corruption in critical files such as boot processes, permissions, or system caches can send the iPhone into a boot loop or cause random restarts throughout the day.

This is especially common if you used third-party transfer tools or restored from an old iTunes backup. Also, transferring data while the device was on low battery or unstable Wi-Fi can interrupt the process.

Real Case: Some users experienced restart loops after restoring from an iPhone 13 to an iPhone 15 using outdated iCloud backups.

5. 5G Network or Connectivity Issues

The 2025 iPhones now support 5G millimeter wave, Wi-Fi 7, and advanced Bluetooth LE audio. But with these upgrades, connectivity-related restarts have also surfaced. If you’re moving between areas with inconsistent 5G signals, or if your iPhone is switching between multiple bands, the modem firmware might crash and cause a reboot.

This was a known issue in early iPhone 15 firmware versions, and Apple has issued fixes in subsequent updates, but some users still report restarts in fringe network zones or when using mobile hotspots.

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Quick Fix Tip: Try turning off 5G and testing with LTE only to see if the issue persists.

Fixes for “iPhone Keeps Restarting Itself” (2025 Guide)

Let’s move on to the solutions. These fixes are based on Apple’s own troubleshooting processes and have been tested by real users across iPhone 15, 14, and SE models running iOS 18.

1. Force Restart Your iPhone

This is your go-to fix for minor glitches or memory hiccups.

Steps for iPhone 15/14/SE 3:

• Quickly press and release Volume Up
• Quickly press and release Volume Down
• Press and hold the Side Button until you see the Apple logo

This doesn’t erase your data. It just refreshes your device’s system memory, often clearing up temporary bugs causing reboots. This method is effective in over 60% of cases reported by users facing random restart issues.

2. Check for iOS 18 Updates and Install

Apple frequently rolls out bug-fixing patches after a major update. If your iPhone restarted after an iOS 18 install, chances are high an update is already available.

To update:

• Go to Settings > General > Software Update
• If available, download the latest iOS 18.1.x version

Avoid enrolling in beta profiles unless you’re a developer or know what you’re doing. Stable versions are safer and more reliable for everyday users.

3. Delete Recently Installed or Unstable Apps

Poorly-coded apps may not show obvious issues but can cause system instability. Deleting them might immediately resolve restarts.

Identify misbehaving apps:

• Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics & Improvements > Analytics Data
• Look for repetitive crash logs related to specific apps

To delete an app:

• Tap and hold the app icon
• Select Remove App and confirm

After removal, restart your phone and monitor it for at least 24 hours to ensure stability.

4. Reset All Settings (No Data Loss)

This is a powerful troubleshooting method when restarts are caused by misconfigured system settings or changes made during iOS migrations.

To reset:

• Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings
• Confirm with passcode

This will reset network configurations, keyboard dictionaries, and privacy settings, but it won’t delete apps, photos, or files.

5. Check Battery Health on iPhone 15/SE 3

A degraded battery—even on newer iPhones—can lead to unexpected shutdowns and reboots.

To check:

• Open Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging
• Look for the Maximum Capacity percentage
• If it shows below 80%, or says Service Recommended, book a replacement

AppleCare+ or warranty programs often cover battery issues within the first two years. Avoid third-party battery replacements unless done by an authorized service provider.

6. Restore iPhone with Finder or iTunes (Clean Reinstall)

If none of the above steps work, a clean iOS reinstall can eliminate hidden system errors.

To do this:

1. Connect iPhone to a Mac or Windows PC
2. Launch Finder (Mac) or iTunes (Windows)
3. Put the iPhone into Recovery Mode:
   • Press Volume Up → Volume Down → Hold Side Button until the recovery screen appears
4. Select Restore (not Update)

This erases everything and installs a fresh copy of iOS 18. Make sure to back up your data to iCloud or your computer before proceeding.

7. Visit Apple Support for Hardware Inspection

If your iPhone keeps restarting itself even after a full restore, the issue may lie in hardware—possibly the motherboard, NAND chip, or power management IC.

Next steps:

• Visit support.apple.com
• Use the Apple Support app to run diagnostics
• Schedule a visit to an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider

Apple’s remote diagnostics in 2025 are more advanced than ever. They can remotely scan your device using its serial number and internal analytics to pinpoint hardware issues, even before a technician opens the phone.

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FAQs

1. Why does my iPhone keep restarting itself randomly throughout the day?

This usually happens due to software glitches, unstable apps, or iOS update bugs—especially after installing a new iOS version like iOS 18. Other possible reasons include battery issues, system file corruption, or poor 5G network transitions.

2. Is this problem common with iPhone 15 and iOS 18?

Yes. Several users have reported random restarts with iPhone 15, 15 Pro, and even SE 3rd Gen models after updating to iOS 18 or using unstable beta versions. Apple is known to release hotfixes quickly to address such issues, so keeping your system up to date is critical.

3. Can an app cause my iPhone to keep restarting?

Absolutely. Apps that are not optimized for the latest iOS, especially VPNs, fitness trackers, or background-heavy apps, can cause your iPhone to crash and reboot. You can identify problematic apps via Settings > Privacy & Security > Analytics Data.

4. Will force restarting my iPhone delete any data?

No. A force restart is completely safe—it just reboots your iPhone’s memory and clears temporary system glitches. It won’t delete apps, photos, or personal files.

5. How do I know if my iPhone battery is causing the restart issue?

Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. If your Maximum Capacity is under 80% or shows a Service warning, the battery may be unstable and causing restarts. Unofficial or third-party batteries may also trigger system protections.

6. Should I reset all settings or erase everything to fix this?

Start with Reset All Settings (under Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset). It’s a safe method that doesn’t erase your data. If the problem continues, then consider a full restore using iTunes or Finder.

7. Will updating to the latest iOS version stop the restarting issue?

In many cases, yes. Apple regularly fixes bugs in updates like iOS 18.1.x. If your iPhone started restarting after a new update, check for a follow-up patch—it may contain the stability fix you need.

8. Can hardware damage cause my iPhone to restart constantly?

Yes. If your phone was dropped, exposed to moisture, or repaired with low-quality parts (like a non-genuine battery or logic board), it could result in internal damage that causes restarts. In such cases, a visit to Apple Support is necessary.

9. How can I fix the iPhone restart loop without losing my data?

Try the following steps in order:

1. Force restart
2. Update iOS
3. Delete suspicious apps
4. Reset All Settings

Only perform a full restore (which erases data) as a last resort. Always back up to iCloud or Finder before major actions.

10. When should I contact Apple Support?

Contact Apple if:

• Your iPhone keeps restarting after a clean restore
• The Battery Health status shows “Service” but you recently replaced it
• You see hardware-related symptoms (screen flickering, overheating, charging issues)
• You need in-warranty service or remote diagnostics

Apple’s 2025 diagnostics tools can scan your device remotely via serial number and logs, making it easier to find hidden issues.