To turn off an iPhone 12 Pro, hold the Side and either Volume button, then drag Power Off; or go to Settings > General > Shut Down.
Got the phone in hand and need it fully powered down? This guide shows quick ways that work every time, plus a few backup paths when the buttons or the screen act up. The steps match iOS on the iPhone 12 Pro and won’t place ads or big images ahead of the answer. If you searched for “how to turn off iphone 12 pro,” you’re in the right place.
Methods At A Glance (Pick What You Need)
Choose a method that fits your situation. The table compares the fastest routes and when to use each one. That’s the quick way.
| Method | When To Use | Steps (Short) |
|---|---|---|
| Buttons | Screen works and buttons work | Hold Side + Volume → release at sliders → drag Power Off |
| Settings | Buttons stuck or case presses them | Settings → General → Shut Down → drag slider |
| Force Restart → Shut Down | Screen frozen | Vol Up → Vol Down → hold Side to reboot → Settings → Shut Down |
| AssistiveTouch | Prefer on-screen controls | Enable AssistiveTouch → use Settings path above (restart is also available) |
Each method works across all iPhone 12 variants, including the mini, base 12, 12 Pro, and 12 Pro Max, so you can share the same steps with family, coworkers, and friends.
How To Turn Off iPhone 12 Pro — Button Method
This is the fastest path. It uses the Side and Volume buttons together to bring up the power slider on any iPhone 12 model.
- Press And Hold Side + Volume — Press the Side button and either Volume button until sliders appear on screen.
- Release When Sliders Show — Let go as soon as you see slide to power off so you don’t trigger Emergency SOS.
- Drag Power Off — Swipe the Power Off slider to the right and wait about 30 seconds while the screen goes dark.
- Turn It Back On (Optional) — Hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
Quick Check
If nothing happens, remove a thick case that might press buttons, then try again. Also try the other Volume button; either one works with the Side button.
These steps answer the basic need behind “how to turn off iphone 12 pro” with the default hardware controls most owners reach for first.
Avoid Accidental SOS
On iOS, the same button hold can start an emergency countdown if you keep holding. Stop pressing once the sliders appear. If the countdown starts by mistake, tap Cancel.
What You’ll See
The power screen shows three sliders — Power Off at the top, Medical ID in the middle, and Emergency SOS at the bottom. Drag only the top slider to shut down.
If you want less chance of triggering SOS during shutdown, open Settings → Emergency SOS and turn off Call with Hold or pick the option that fits how you use the phone.
Power Off From Settings (No Buttons Needed)
When the Side button or a Volume key sticks, or you just prefer not to use hardware keys, use the built-in shut down option in Settings.
- Open Settings — Tap the gray gear icon.
- Go To General — Scroll to the middle of the list.
- Tap Shut Down — It’s at the bottom of the General page; the Power Off slider appears.
- Drag Power Off — Swipe right on the slider and wait until the display goes black.
Tip: If you use a case with tight buttons, this path avoids accidental presses and removes the chance of calling SOS by mistake.
Can’t Find Shut Down?
It sits at the bottom of Settings → General. Scroll all the way down. On some versions, you’ll also see Transfer or Reset iPhone above it; don’t tap that unless you intend to reset settings or erase content.
Why This Path Helps
If Side or Volume buttons are worn or covered by gloves, the Settings slider avoids long presses and gives a power-off every time.
Turn Off iPhone 12 Pro Without Buttons: AssistiveTouch
AssistiveTouch adds an on-screen button that can handle many controls. It also offers a Restart command. For a full shut down, you’ll still use the Settings slider, but AssistiveTouch makes reaching Settings easier if hardware keys are awkward.
- Enable AssistiveTouch — Go to Settings → Accessibility → Touch → AssistiveTouch, then turn it on. A floating button appears.
- Open The Menu — Tap the floating button for device controls.
- Reach Shut Down Quickly — With AssistiveTouch on, open Settings → General → Shut Down and use the slider. (From the AssistiveTouch menu you can also pick Restart if you just need a quick reboot.)
If a case, injury, or worn buttons make presses tough, on-screen controls reduce strain and keep power options within reach.
Speed It Up With AssistiveTouch Tweaks
- Customize Top Level Menu — In AssistiveTouch, tap Customize Top Level Menu and add Restart or Lock Screen for quicker access.
- Set Custom Actions — Assign a Long Press or Double-Tap to open the AssistiveTouch menu wherever you are.
- Keep It Reachable — Drag the floating button to a screen edge that your thumb hits easily; iOS remembers the spot.
Power Off A Frozen iPhone 12 Pro
When the screen won’t respond, the normal slider might not appear. Do a force restart to regain control, then shut down cleanly from Settings.
- Press Volume Up — Quickly press and release.
- Press Volume Down — Quickly press and release.
- Hold The Side Button — Keep holding until the Apple logo appears; release and let the phone boot.
- Shut Down From Settings — Settings → General → Shut Down → drag the slider.
Note: A force restart is not a full power off. It reboots the device. Shutting down from Settings right after the reboot gives you the complete power-down you wanted.
If The Reboot Loop Repeats
Connect to a computer with Finder (macOS) or iTunes (Windows), then enter recovery mode and pick Update. This reloads iOS without erasing your data. If update fails, you may need a full restore from a backup.
Common Shutdown Snags And Quick Fixes
Powering off should be smooth. If the slider won’t appear or SOS pops up, work through these short checks.
- Release Buttons Promptly — Holding Side + Volume too long can start an emergency countdown. Let go as soon as the sliders show.
- Check Emergency SOS Settings — In Settings → Emergency SOS, you can turn off Call with Hold or Call with 5 Presses if you keep triggering it while trying to shut down.
- Charge For One Minute — If the battery is flat, the phone may ignore presses. Plug in for a minute, then try again.
- Try The Other Volume Button — Either Volume Up or Volume Down works with the Side button for the slider.
- Remove A Tight Case — Stiff cases can clamp a button and block the slider from appearing.
- Update iOS — Go to Settings → General → Software Update. New builds often smooth out odd button or screen behavior.
- Reset Settings (Last Resort) — Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings. This keeps your data but returns settings to defaults. If issues persist, book a hardware check.
- Clean The Screen — Moisture can block the swipe. Dry the glass and try the slider again.
- Test Buttons In Camera — Open Camera and press a Volume key; it should take a photo. If it doesn’t, the button may be faulty.
Shutdown, Restart, Or Sleep — What’s The Difference?
Each option has a clear purpose. Use the right one for the moment so the phone stays reliable and battery-friendly.
| Option | What It Does | Good For |
|---|---|---|
| Shut Down | Turns the device off until you press Side to start it again | Storage, long flights, troubleshooting odd glitches |
| Restart | Power cycles and reloads iOS without staying off | Minor bugs, a slow app, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi hiccups |
| Sleep | Locks the screen; the phone stays on | Saves battery during breaks while keeping calls and alerts |
If you only need to refresh performance, a restart is faster. Choose a full shut down when you want the phone fully off.
Power Care And Safety Tips
Turning the phone off is simple, and a few habits make it safer and easier.
- Stop When Updates Are Running — If you see a progress bar for an iOS update, let it finish. Interrupting can cause issues that require a recovery later.
- Mind SOS While Powering Off — If SOS appears, tap Cancel and adjust settings so the shutdown gesture doesn’t call by mistake.
- Know The Path Back On — After a shut down, hold the Side button until the Apple logo shows. If nothing happens, charge for a few minutes and try again.
- Keep Medical ID Handy — The power screen shows Medical ID and Emergency options. Make sure your Medical ID has accurate contacts in the Health app.
- Protect The Buttons — Pick a case that shields the hardware but doesn’t clamp the keys. Grit around buttons can interfere with presses.
Store devices cool, dry, and away from direct sun or heat.
Travel Note
Many airlines accept Airplane Mode instead of a full shut down. If a crew member asks for the phone off, use the slider for complete power down.
Battery Care
If the phone stays off for storage, leave it around half charge and shut it down. That helps the battery age well during long rests.
When friends ask how you handled power issues on a 12 Pro, you can point them to the two reliable routes above: the Side + Volume combo or the Shut Down option in Settings. Both are simple, repeatable, and easy to explain.