An unresponsive iPhone 15 screen can be incredibly frustrating. The phone might be stuck on an app, the lock screen, or just showing a black screen that won't wake up. In most cases, this is a temporary software hiccup that you can resolve yourself without losing any photos or data.
Force Restart Your iPhone 15
This is almost always the first thing you should try. The process is slightly different from older iPhones. Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then quickly press and release the Volume Down button. Finally, press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo appear, which usually takes about 15 seconds.
Don't let go when you see the screen go black. Keep holding until the logo shows up. This forces a clean reboot of the system software and fixes most temporary freezes.
Charge the Phone with the Right Cable
Since the iPhone 15 was the first model to switch from Lightning to USB-C, using an old cable is a common mistake. Make sure you're using a USB-C to USB-C cable plugged into a compatible power adapter.
A completely drained battery can make the phone seem dead. Plug it in with a known-good USB-C cable and wait at least 20 minutes before trying to turn it on again. If you have the 80% charge limit enabled in Settings, the phone will stop charging at 80%, which is normal and not a sign of a problem.
Check for Overheating
Your iPhone 15 will automatically throttle performance or freeze if its internal temperature gets too high. This can happen if you leave it in direct sunlight, use intensive apps for a long time, or charge it with a thick case on.
If the phone feels warm or hot to the touch, take it out of its case and move it to a cooler spot. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes to cool down before attempting to restart it. I'd also avoid using MagSafe charging if the phone is already warm, as it can generate more heat.
Close a Frozen App
If the touchscreen works everywhere except in one specific app, that app is likely the culprit. Swipe up from the very bottom of the screen and pause in the middle to bring up the App Switcher.
Find the preview card for the frozen app and swipe it up and off the top of the screen to force it to close. Then, tap the app icon on your Home Screen to reopen it. If the same app freezes repeatedly, check the App Store for an update.
Free Up iPhone Storage
When your phone's storage is critically full, the operating system has no room to create temporary files it needs to run smoothly. This can lead to freezing and crashes.
If you can get into Settings, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage. The system will show you recommendations and a list of apps using the most space. Deleting a few large videos or offloading unused apps can make a big difference. Try to keep at least 5-10 GB free.
Update iOS
Apple frequently releases iOS updates that include bug fixes for stability issues. An outdated version of iOS could be the reason your phone is freezing.
After a successful restart, go to Settings > General > Software Update. If an update is available, download and install it. Make sure your phone is connected to Wi-Fi and has at least 50% battery or is plugged in.
Reset All Settings
This is a more thorough step if the freezing keeps happening. It resets all your system preferences, like Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, and display settings, back to factory defaults without deleting any of your personal data, photos, or apps.
You can find this option at Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. You'll need to re-enter your Wi-Fi passwords and reconfigure things like notifications afterward, but it can clear out corrupted settings causing the problem.
Restore Using a Computer
For a phone that is completely stuck and won't respond to a force restart, you'll need to use a Mac or PC. First, put your iPhone 15 into Recovery Mode. Connect it to the computer with a USB-C cable.
Quickly press and release the Volume Up button, then the Volume Down button, then immediately press and hold the Side button. Keep holding it even after the Apple logo appears until you see the recovery mode screen on your iPhone. On a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, open Finder. On a PC or older Mac, open iTunes.
The computer will detect a phone in recovery mode. First, choose the Update option. This will try to reinstall iOS without erasing your data. If the update fails or isn't available, you can then choose Restore, which will install a fresh copy of iOS but erase all content and settings.
Remove Screen Protectors and Cases
A poorly fitted screen protector or a case that presses on the edges of the screen can sometimes interfere with the touch sensors. Carefully remove any screen protector, especially if it's a thick glass one or if it has bubbles or dirt underneath.
Also, take the phone out of its case for a few minutes and see if touch responsiveness improves. Some cases, particularly rugged ones, can put pressure on the display in a way that mimics a software freeze.
