[2026] 6 Tips to Fix iPhone Frozen on Lock Screen

Q: "My iPhone 14 is stuck on the lock screen. I can't swipe up to unlock and turning it on and off hasn't not worked. Anyone has any suggestions or have experienced this? So how can I fix the frozen lock screen?" - Avetik from Apple Community"

Recently, many users have reported a frustrating issue where their iPhone is stuck on the lock screen and becomes completely unresponsive. This problem is especially common on models like iPhone X, iPhone 11, and iPhone 14.

Even after entering the correct passcode, the screen may freeze, leaving users unable to unlock their device. If you're experiencing this issue right now, you're not alone. In this guide, we'll explain why your iPhone is frozen on the lock screen and proven methods to fix it quickly

Why Is My iPhone Frozen on the Lock Screen?

It is common to have this issue, but no specific causes can be used to explain it. As for your confusion about why is your iPhone frozen on the lock screen, there are several general reasons that result in your iPhone stuck on lock screen.

• 01 Software Glitches: Sometimes, temporary software issues or conflicts can cause your iPhone to stuck on the lock screen. This could be due to a problematic app, a corrupted system file, or a recent software update.
• 02 Insufficient Storage: If your iPhone's storage is nearly full, it may struggle to perform tasks smoothly, leading to freezes or slowdowns.
• 03 Faulty Software Update: If you recently updated your iPhone's software, it could result in stability issues, including frozen iPhone screen.
• 04 Hardware Problems: In some cases, hardware issues such as a damaged display, or faulty buttons can cause your iPhone to freeze on the lock screen.
• 05 Overheating: If your iPhone becomes too hot, it may automatically enter a protective mode, which could result in freezing on the lock screen.
• 06 Malware or Security Threats: Although rare, malware or security threats could potentially cause your iPhone to freeze or become unresponsive.

Whatever the reason is, you can get rid of it by following the methods introduced below.

[Video Tutorial] Verified Ways to Fix iPhone Stuck on Lock Screen

Video Tutorial

Before going through any of that help you fix the issue, let's watch the video first and here we'll show how to fix it.

Solution 1: Get Rid of Unknown System Issues with TunesKit [No Data Loss]

To get out of iPhone frozen on lock screen, you are suggested to use a professional system recovery tool for iPhone. Here TunesKit iOS System Recovery is recommended. It is a powerful iOS repairing tool that can quickly fix any common iOS issue all by yourself.

No matter whether your iPhone frozen on the lock screen or stuck on the white screen of death, this popular third-party software can help you to fix them with the fastest speed and an almost 100% success rate while causing no data loss. If you've got an iPhone that stuck on the lock screen, try TunesKit iOS System Recovery and start restoring your iPhone.

Step 1Connect Your iPhone to the Computer

Connect your frozen iPhone to a computer via a USB cable and launch TunesKit iOS System Recovery. Once your iPhone is detected by TunesKit, enter the recovery mode through one-click, then click the iOS System Recovery button. In the following window, select the Start button to continue.

Step 2Select Repair Mode

This tool offers 2 different repair mode for you: Standard Repair and Deep Repair. The left one will fix your iPhone with data loss while the right one will normalize your iPhone with all your iPhone data loss. The right one has more powerful repair effect.

Step 3Download the Firmware Package

Check your iPhone's information including the model and iOS version, and correct it if anything is wrong. Next, click on the Download button to let the application download and verify the firmware package matched with your device.

Step 4Fix iPhone Stuck on Lock Screen

After the downloading is finished, click the Start Standard Repair button to fix the frozen lock screen on your iPhone. When the process is completed, you can successfully unlock your iPhone. And try powering your iPhone on and check it.

Solution 2: Ask Someone to Call You

Whether you input the passcode or not, does your iPhone merely stay stuck on the passcode screen? In such a case, you could simply ask somebody next to you to call you. Through the call, your iPhone's lock screen may get unfrozen.

Solution 3: Restart Your iPhone

Restarting your iPhone can clear temporary glitches that often cause the lock screen to freeze. Small software errors or app conflicts can make the lock screen unresponsive. A restart refreshes the system and removes those glitches. Sometimes apps or system tasks get stuck running in the background. Restarting shuts everything down and starts fresh. Here's how:

For iPhones with Face ID (like iPhone X and later):

• Step 1. Press and hold the Side button + either Volume button until the power-off slider appears.
• Step 2. Drag the slider to turn it off.
• Step 3. After it shuts down, press and hold the Side button again until you see the Apple logo.

For iPhones with a Home button (like iPhone 8, SE, and earlier):

• Step 1. Press and hold the Side (or Top) button until the power-off slider appears.
• Step 2. Drag the slider to turn it off.
• Step 3. Press and hold the same button again to turn it back on.

Solution 4: Force Reboot Your iPhone

Also, simply hard rebooting your iPhone might also work wonders. If you don't know how to, the specific operating steps are presented below.

• If you are having an iPhone 8 or later models: Press the Volume Up button and then quickly release it. Do the same process with the Volume Down button, and then press and hold the Side button. When the Apple log appears on the screen, release the button.
• If you are having an iPhone 7 or iPhone 7 Plus: Press and holde both the Volume down button and the Sleep/Wake button at the same time. When the Apple logon appears, release both buttons.
• If you are having an iPhone 6 or earlier models: Press and hold both the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button at the same time. When the Apple logo appears, release both buttons.

Solution 5: Remove and Reinsert the SIM Card

This is an unconventional but proven hardware trick for specific types of system hangs. The iOS system constantly monitors the SIM tray for cellular network changes, and interrupting this process can trigger a UI reset.

• Step 1. Locate the SIM tray on the side of your iPhone and insert a SIM ejector tool or a paperclip.
• Step 2. Pop the tray out. This action forces the device to halt all cellular processes and drop the network connection.
• Step 3. Wait a few seconds and reinsert the tray to see if the sudden network reset jolts the operating system out of its frozen state.
• 

Solution 6: Restore the iPhone via iTunes

In fact, there is another alternative can be applied to fix iPhone stuck on lock screen. That is restoring your device through iTunes, but it will remove all the data on your iPhone. If you have backed them up before, you could do the steps below.

• Step 1. Connect your iPhone to a PC using a USB cable and launch iTunes on the computer.
• Step 2. Put your iPhone enter into recovery mode.
• Step 3. When iTunes detects your iPhone in recovery mode, click Restore option on the message popping up.
• 
• Step 4. Then your computer will download the software for your device. After installation, you can set up your iPhone as new or restore from a backup.

More Tips About Customizing Your iPhone Lock Screen

Your iPhone lock screen is a highly customizable dashboard for your daily life. With recent updates like iOS 26, you have unprecedented control over its visual depth and functionality. Here is how to optimize your lock screen experience.

Step 1. Personalize the Visual Layout.

Long-press the locked screen and tap "Customize" to change the clock's font and color, or add interactive widgets. You can also use the new system-wide Liquid Glass slider to precisely adjust the interface opacity.

Step 2. Manage Your Notifications.

Keep your carefully chosen wallpaper visible by navigating to Settings > Notifications. You can choose to display your incoming alerts in one of three ways:

• Count: Shows only the total number of unread alerts.
• Stack: Groups related notifications to save space.
• List: Displays all notifications sequentially.

Step 3. Secure Your Privacy.

• 1. Go to Settings > Face ID & Passcode and scroll down to the "Allow Access When Locked" section.
• 2. Toggle off features like Control Center, Live Activities, or Wallet to prevent unauthorized access.
• 3. Keeping these disabled ensures your data remains secure even when your device is unattended.
• 

How to Prevent Your iPhone from Freezing on the Lock Screen

Prevent future lock screen freezes by actively maintaining your device. Here are the most effective ways to ensure a stable iOS experience.

Step 1. Clear Incompatible Apps.

Remove outdated applications that frequently crash or aggressively drain your battery. These apps often cause compatibility conflicts with newer updates like iOS 26, leading to sudden system freezes.

Step 2. Optimize Internal Storage.

Ensure you maintain at least 10% to 15% of free storage capacity. A full hard drive chokes background tasks and system caches, which directly causes the operating system to lock up.

Step 3. Monitor Battery Health.

Check your status by navigating to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If your battery health drops below 80%, iOS may throttle performance to prevent shutdowns, which frequently manifests as an unresponsive screen.

Step 4. Run A System Repair.

Use a professional tool like TunesKit iOS System Recovery to fix deep-rooted software bugs. Running a standard repair safely eliminates hidden system errors without risking your existing data, ensuring long-term stability.

The Final Words

In conclusion, these are the tips offered for you to fix iPhone frozen on lock screen. You could try using those common ways to restore your frozen iPhone. But if you want to fix the issue quickly, the good option is to use TunesKit iOS System Recovery. It can get you out of various iOS issues. And not only will you have the chance to restore your iPhone, but you can also fix the issue without data loss.