“Hard reset” is often used to mean a force restart, which restarts a frozen iPhone without erasing its data. It should not be confused with a factory reset.
- For iPhone 8 and later, quickly press and release Volume Up.
- Quickly press and release Volume Down.
- Press and hold the side button.
- Release the side button when the Apple logo appears.
Older iPhone models use different button combinations. If your goal is to erase the phone and return it to factory settings, use Erase All Content and Settings instead; that is a destructive operation.
A force restart is appropriate when the screen or software is unresponsive. It is not a routine troubleshooting step that needs to be performed regularly, and it does not remove the Apple Account, apps, photos, or settings.