A phone that restarts on its own, gets stuck on the logo, or reboots every few minutes is in a restart loop. This can happen suddenly after an update, after installing a new app, or for no apparent reason. The cause is usually software, but hardware problems like a failing battery or overheating can trigger the same behavior. Here is how to figure out which it is and what to do.
Determine the type of restart loop
How the phone restarts tells you a lot about the cause:
Restarts during use. The phone works for a while, then suddenly reboots. This usually points to an app crash, overheating, or a battery issue. The more random the timing, the more likely it is hardware related
Restarts on the logo screen. The phone shows the Apple or manufacturer logo, then goes dark, then shows the logo again in a continuous cycle. This is a classic boot loop caused by a corrupted operating system, a failed update, or a critical system file error
Restarts when opening a specific app. The phone is stable until you open one particular app, then it reboots. The app is the problem
Restarts during charging. If the phone only reboots while plugged in, the charger, cable, or battery is suspect
Restarts after getting warm. The phone heats up, then reboots to protect itself. This is a thermal shutdown, not a software crash
Software fixes
Force restart
A force restart clears the current state of the processor and can break a simple restart loop.
iPhone 8 and later: Volume Up (quick press), Volume Down (quick press), then hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears
Most Android phones: Hold Power + Volume Down for 10 to 30 seconds until the phone vibrates or shows the logo
If the phone boots normally after a force restart, use it for a while to see if the problem comes back. If it was a one-time crash, a force restart may be all you need.
Boot into safe mode (Android)
Safe mode disables all third-party apps, which tells you whether the problem is caused by an app you installed.
Power the phone off completely. If it will not stay on long enough to power off from the menu, hold the Power button for 10 seconds to force it off
Press and hold Power to turn it on. As soon as the logo appears, release Power and press and hold Volume Down until the phone finishes booting
You should see Safe Mode in the bottom corner. If the phone stays on in safe mode without restarting, a third-party app is causing the problem
Think about what you installed or updated recently. Uninstall those apps one at a time, restarting normally between each removal, until the loop stops
Common culprits include social media apps with large caches, recently updated apps that received a buggy version, custom launchers, and battery optimization or cleaner apps that interfere with system processes.
Check for operating system updates
If you can get the phone to stay on long enough to reach Settings:
iPhone: Settings, General, Software Update. Download and install any available update. Apple frequently patches boot loop bugs in point releases
Android: Settings, System (or Software Update on Samsung). Install any pending update. If an update was interrupted by the restart loop, completing the update may fix the problem
Clear system cache (Android)
The system cache stores temporary files that the operating system uses to load apps and services faster. A corrupted cache can cause repeated crashes.
Power off the phone completely
Boot into recovery mode: hold Volume Up + Power (varies by manufacturer) until the recovery menu appears
Use the volume buttons to navigate to Wipe cache partition and press Power to select it
Confirm and wait for the process to complete, then select Reboot system now
This does not erase personal data, apps, or settings. It only clears temporary system files that will be rebuilt on the next boot.
iPhone recovery mode
If an iPhone is stuck on the Apple logo or keeps restarting and a force restart does not help:
Connect the phone to a computer with iTunes or Finder
Put the phone into recovery mode by performing the force restart sequence but holding the buttons until the recovery screen appears (cable pointing to computer icon)
Choose Update when prompted. This reinstalls the operating system without erasing data
If Update fails or the loop persists, Restore is the next option. This erases everything and installs a fresh copy of the operating system. If you have an iCloud or computer backup, you can restore your data afterward
Factory reset as a last software resort
If nothing else works and you suspect the problem is software:
If you can access Settings: Back up your data first (iCloud, Google backup, or a computer backup). Then go to Settings, General, Transfer or Reset iPhone, Erase All Content and Settings (iPhone) or Settings, System, Reset, Erase all data (Android)
If you cannot access Settings: Use recovery mode (described above) to factory reset. On Android, you can also select Wipe data/factory reset from the recovery menu
A factory reset eliminates all software causes. If the phone still restart-loops after a complete reset and fresh OS install, the problem is hardware.
Hardware causes
Battery degradation
An aging battery may not deliver consistent voltage under load. When the processor demands more power than the battery can supply (during app launch, camera use, or when the charge is below 30 to 40 percent), the phone shuts down or restarts to protect itself.
iPhone: Settings, Battery, Battery Health. Maximum Capacity below 80 percent or a Peak Performance Capability warning means the battery is significantly degraded
Android: Check Settings, Battery if your manufacturer shows battery health (Samsung: Settings, Battery and Device Care, Battery, Battery status). If battery health is not available, signs of a failing battery include the phone restarting at 20 to 40 percent charge, rapid battery drain, or the phone being warm even when idle
Overheating
Phones have thermal protection that forces a restart when internal temperatures get too high. If your phone restarts after heavy use, during charging, or in hot environments, overheating is the likely cause. Remove the case, stop charging, move to a cooler location, and close intensive apps. If overheating persists during light use in normal temperatures, the battery or another internal component may be failing.
Water or moisture damage
Corrosion from moisture exposure can cause intermittent electrical shorts that trigger random restarts. The phone may work normally for hours, then restart without warning. If the phone was recently exposed to water, sweat, steam, or high humidity, internal corrosion may be developing even if the phone seemed fine initially.
Damaged power button
A stuck or malfunctioning power button can continuously send a press signal, causing the phone to restart. If the phone restarts when you touch or press near the power button, or if the button feels different than it used to (mushy, stuck, or rattling), this may be the cause.
Phone repair in Marion
If your phone keeps restarting after trying the software fixes above, the problem is likely a failing battery, water damage, or a hardware fault. Marion Phone Repair diagnoses restart loops and handles the repairs that software cannot fix, including battery replacements and board-level troubleshooting for iPhones and Android devices.