If you cannot wake up your iPhone or iPad screen and therefore cannot unlock it, take a look at these quick tips.

You can wake up your iOS device using one of the methods below:

  • Tap the screen with a finger or tap the iPad screen with an Apple Pencil
  • Press the power button or the Home button (for older models)
  • Lift your iPhone as you normally would (not applicable for iPad)
  • Say "Hey Siri"
  • Press the Camera Control button on iPhone 16 or newer models (except for iPhone 16e and 17e)
  • Plug the device into a charger
  • Connect it to a Mac or PC
  • Press a key on a connected physical keyboard
  • Send a notification or call
  • Enable Camera Control on your Apple Watch
  • Use things on your Mac or Apple TV that trigger your iPhone or iPad to wake up. For example, when you open a text box on Apple TV, it may cause the keyboard to pop up on your iOS device. Similarly, you can wake up your iPhone or iPad by using it to sign documents on a Mac (but it will lock shortly thereafter).

The list above shows that there are many ways to wake up your iPhone or iPad, but some may not be practical for everyday use. Therefore, in this troubleshooting guide, we will address what to do if you cannot wake up your device using standard methods (lifting, tapping the screen, and pressing a button).

Try another way and restart the device

If you cannot wake your iPhone or iPad with one method, for example, with Lift to Wake, try tapping the screen or pressing the side button. If other methods work, it may mean that this specific feature (like Lift to Wake) is turned off or there is a system error. To fix the error part, restart your iPhone or iPad and proceed to the next tip to ensure that the specified feature is active.

Fix the issue of the power button not waking up your iPhone or iPad

The side or top power button on your iPhone or iPad may not work due to temporary glitches, an issue with the case you are using, or a major hardware failure.

Say "Restart iPhone" to Siri. Then try using the side button, and it should work.

If it doesn’t work, remove the case and check again.

If both fail, the issue may be hardware-related (did you recently drop your iPhone on a hard surface?). However, I recommend reviewing these tips before rushing to the Apple Store:

  • Clean around the side button
  • Try force restarting your iPhone or iPad (this is different from a normal restart)
  • Update to the latest iOS version
  • Reset all settings

And even if the side button does not work, you can still do the following:

  • Turn it off through the Settings app or Control Center
  • Turn it on by plugging it into a charger
  • Call Siri by saying "Hey Siri".
  • You can also create a shortcut that locks the phone without using the power button (see the image below)

Fix if Lift to Wake is not working

If your iPhone screen does not turn on when lifted, go to iOS Settings > Display & Brightness and make sure Lift to Wake is turned on.

Fix if Tap to Wake is not working

If you cannot wake your iPhone or iPad screen with a tap, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch and turn on Tap to Wake or Tap or Slide to Wake. Then, lock your device and tap once with one finger.

If the problem persists, check this guide: Can’t wake up your iPhone or iPad by tapping the Lock Screen? Here’s how to fix it.

Other solutions

Lift to Wake and Tap to Wake are enabled by default in iOS Settings, but if they are not working, use these tips:

  • Force close all apps, lock your iPhone, and try waking it up again
  • Charge your iPhone or iPad for 10 minutes
  • Restart your iPhone or iPad
  • Update to the latest iOS or iPadOS version
  • Reset all settings (read about the effects in our linked guide)
  • If nothing works, erase your iPhone or iPad and set it up again (but you should create a full backup of the device or at least back up important data to iCloud before doing this)

If you encounter the above issues on a new device

Both Tap to Wake and Lift to Wake are enabled by default on every new device. If these features do not work right after setup or stop working within a few days, I recommend returning your new iPhone or iPad (if you are within the 14-day return period) and placing another order.

If it has been more than 14 days but your device is still under warranty, Apple will likely fix the issue for free.

And if your device is no longer under warranty, I suggest resetting all settings and performing a complete device wipe, then you can have a paid repair done at the Apple Store or an authorized service center.