How to Turn on an iPhone XR

After setup, hold the side button until the phone turns on

By
Sam Costello
Sam Costello
Sam Costello
Writer
  • Ithaca College
Sam Costello has been writing about tech since 2000. His writing has appeared in publications such as CNN.com, PC World, InfoWord, and many others.
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Updated on August 20, 2022
Reviewed by
Ryan Perian
Ryan Perian headshot
Reviewed by Ryan Perian
  • Western Governors University
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
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What to Know

  • To turn on iPhone XR, hold down the Side button until the Apple logo appears, then let go of the button.
  • When prompted, unlock with Face ID or passcode.
  • To turn off iPhone XR, hold down Side button and Volume Down > move slider from left to right.

To use your iPhone XR, you need to know how to turn it on. This article explains that, and also provides a set of useful tips for beginners learning how to use the XR.

How to Turn on the iPhone XR

To turn on the iPhone XR, follow these steps:

  1. Press and hold down the Side button (this is the large button on the right side of the iPhone).

  2. When the Apple logo appears on the screen, let go of the Side button.

  3. If you've set a passcode on your iPhone, enter it to unlock your phone. If you haven't yet set a passcode, we'll explain why you should in the next section. You can also unlock using Face ID.

    If this is the very first time you've turned on your iPhone XR, there's no passcode yet. Instead, follow these iPhone setup instructions first.

  4. After unlocking, you'll be at the iPhone homescreen and you can start using the phone.

Basic iPhone XR Tips

Turning on the iPhone XR is a good start, but here are a few tips for other important things for new iPhone owners to learn:

  • Setting a Passcode: As mentioned earlier, you should set a passcode on your iPhone. This stops people from accessing your phone and seeing your information (photos, texts, etc.). After you set a passcode on your iPhone, you can set up Face ID and unlock your iPhone just by holding it up to your face.
  • Turning Off the iPhone: To turn off the iPhone XR, hold down the Side and Volume Down buttons at the same time. When the slider appears, let go of the buttons and move the slider from left to right.
  • Restarting iPhone XR: Sometimes you'll need to restart your iPhone to solve temporary problems. To do that, you can follow the same steps as turning off the phone. If those don't work, press and release the Side button, press and release the Volume Down button, and then press and hold the Side button. When the Apple logo appears, let go of the button.
  • Battery Charging and Battery-Life Tips: To charge the iPhone XR, just plug the included cable into a computer or into the included wall power adapter. The XR also supports wireless charging. We've got tips to help you learn how to get the most battery life out of your iPhone.
FAQ
  • How do I hard reset an iPhone XR?

    To hard reset the iPhone XR, press the volume up button and let it go, and then press the volume down button and let it go. Hold down the sleep/wake (Side) button until the phone restarts. When the Apple logo appears, let go of the button and let your iPhone start normally.

  • How do I take a screenshot on an iPhone XR?

    To take a screenshot on an iPhone XR, press the side button (sleep/wake button) and the volume up button simultaneously. Quickly release the buttons. You'll see a thumbnail of your screenshot. Tap it to open or share it, or save it to your Photos.

  • How do I screen record on an iPhone XR?

    To screen record on an iPhone XR, go to Settings > Control Center; tap Screen Recording to add the function to your Control Center. When you're ready to record, tap the Screen Record icon in Control Center. To stop recording, tap the red status bar at the top left of the screen and select Stop.

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