My wife’s iPhone 16 Pro is not turning on. Several times I have had to push the top volume, bottom volume and then hold the right power button until the Apple came on. And it took much longer than 10 seconds and instead of it coming on by itself, the Apple would show only after I held and released the power button. Did she get a lemon or are others having this problem? She gets a new phone every year so this is not an operator error.
iPhone 16 Pro
This happened again to my wife's iPhone 16 Pro. She could never get it to start. I tried 3 or 4 times with the force restart and it again would not start. I then plugged it in as a last resort, did the force restart a few time and finally it started. The battery was at 100%. It took quite a long time holding the start button after the volume up and down buttons for it to finally start. I will do a force restart on my iPhone occasionally and it never takes that long. She has had almost every iPhone since the 3G, so this is definitely not operator error.
I am responding here in hopes that it gets pushed to the top of iPhone questions in hopes that others may either respond that they too are having this issue and what the resolution is.
This Apple 16 pro not turning on is contageous. Only had them a few days and already my husband's wouldn't turn on till he forced it and now mine won't despite trying the 'force' system twice. I so regret changing up my iphone 14 which over 2 years only had this happen 2 or 3 times. If I ever get it working I will want to switch it off again tonight so how can I trust it to go back on tomorrow.
I've spent way too long trying to simply turn it on today. This is not acceptble apple - I want to return it.
I just had this same problem with my iPhone 16 pro. This is now the 2nd time I have had this problem with this phone. I have not installed update 18.3.1 yet, but it took me several tries of the volume up, volume down, and holding the power button for it to finally turn on. It also took longer than 10 seconds to hold down the power button. My phone was plugged in all night and was at 100%. I used to power my phone off every night, but now I am scared to do so...
Addressing Apple in this user-to-user forum won’t help anything. You need to contact Apple support. Do it for yourself, and also for others with the same problem so Apple can get an idea of how widespread this problem is.
Best way:
Other options:
(Note that both of the above have options to receive a callback or chat)
What is your theory on manufacturing defect? I would like to hear it. I’ve had my 16 PM since day 1 with zero issues. Flawless performance and no issues with Side Button or any other button.
I’ve owned Apple Care on all my Apple products that are portable. It’s either self insure or purchase Apple or a third party plan. Since you’re convinced they’re all (or a substantial number) defective, it’s a good plan way to give yourself peace of mind.
I faced the same problem this morning. My phone ran out of battery and wouldn’t turn on.
I left it plugged in for an hour, then pressed the volume up button, followed by the volume down button, and finally held the power button for more than 20 seconds.
After that, I connected the phone to my Mac and followed the restoration procedure. Fortunately, all my data and settings were still intact once the restoration was complete.
iPhone 16 Pro won't fire up. Tried the up/down buttons then holding the start-up button on the right side...no response. Screen is dark and it is plugged in with no indication that it is charging. Help please!
After you tap and quickly release the volume up, then down buttons, immediately hold the side power button for up to 30 seconds, until you see the Apple logo. It HAS to work. If it doesn't, you have a hardware issue and will need to schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius Bar.
Then get it replaced under warranty. iPhone 16’s are under warranty at least until this coming September if you purchased new from Apple or Apple Authorized Reseller.
If it’s the worst phone ever, you need to be proactive and get it replaced. Otherwise, with lack of evidence I find your post suspect.
See this --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support
Make sure to hold the power button in the last step until you see the Apple Logo. It can take more than 15 seconds.
You can try this:
A. Press and quickly release the volume up button.
B. Then after that, press and quickly release the volume down button.
C. Then after that, press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo (this takes around 10 seconds).
After this it should turn on.
If you see a battery empty picture, like this
check your hardware and charge your iPhone again
If your iPhone still doesn't turn on, learn what to do.
susagoode wrote:
I had the problem with my 16 and now a week or so later my husband had the same problem this morning. It took him several times trying the hard reset before turning on. Apple needs to fix this. I took mine in to the Apple store when it wouldn’t go on and the lady there that fixed it didn’t mention the hard reset or that this is evidently a problem but acted more like I just didn’t hold the power button long enough, although I had the phone for 2 weeks with no problem turning it on. I really do know how to turn the phone on.
Come on Apple, fix it!
You aren't speaking with Apple here. This is a user to user only forum. If you want Apple to hear you, provide feedback here --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple
That said, I own iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, which I've owned since launch day and I've not had this issue at all on either phone. Why you may be having such an issue is unknown, but it's not a universal issue affecting all iPhone 16 Pro's.
carvalho75 wrote:
Well just got my son and iPhone 16 and had it for one day and it isn’t starting up! So frustrating brand new phone and so far the worst experience with this phone. Maybe a recall should be in the works. Seeing this happening to everyone with their iPhone 16 pro. Ugh .shouldn’t have gotten this new model . Very frustrated!
This is most definitely not happening to "everyone" as you suggest. If your sons iPhone isn't turning on, Force Restart it.
Force restart iPhone - Apple Support
JMODC wrote:
This morning, my iPhone 16 pro would not turn back on after being charged overnight. I turned it off to not be disturbed. I did the steps of up and down buttons then held the right button. As I read many posts, I retried the steps but held the right button for more than 15 seconds and then it turned on. Thanks everybody but it seems to be a problem regardless. Apple, please create a fix!
There is no reason to need to turn your phone off at night in order to not be disturbed and it will charge just fine, and backup while it's charging too.
Enable a Do Not Disturb focus on your phone, to not be disturbed while you sleep. My phone automatically goes on this at 11 PM and off at 7:00 AM. Here is how to create a scheduled Do Not Disturb Focus --> Turn on or schedule a Focus on iPhone - Apple Support
blforbes wrote:
This doesn't work. I had tried this before making a comment on this forum.
How long did you hold the side power button? It can take a long time if the phone isn't powering on. And it often takes a few tries to get the sequence of quickly pressing and releasing the volume up then volume down buttons, the pressing and holding the side power button.
That said, if your phone really won't power on, then you need to schedule an appointment at your Apple Store Genius Bar for evaluation and options --> Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple
brad_cohen wrote:
When will there be a software update to fix this issue?
No one can answer that question. This is a user to user only forum. We have no inside knowledge of what Apple may or may not be working on. This issue is tricky. It doesn't effect the vast majority of users. Have you updated to the latest iOS version of iOS 18.1.1?
We have two 16 Pro's which have never had an issue. I'm sure determining why some users have this issue, while other users don't is a challenge.
To let Apple know you are having an issue, use this to provide feedback keeping this on their radar --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple
iPhone 16 Pro not turning on
