If you’re wondering how to turn off Apple Watch, you’re not alone. Whether you’re trying to save battery, fix a system glitch, or prepare your Apple Watch for long-term storage, knowing the right way to power it down is a must.
This comprehensive guide covers how to turn off Apple Watch across all models—from Series 3 to the latest Ultra. We’ll also show you how to force restart it when it freezes, how to preserve battery life without shutting it off, and how to fix common issues related to powering down.
We’ve designed this article to help beginners and experienced Apple users alike. And yes—this is the only guide you’ll need if you’ve ever searched for how to turn off Apple Watch safely and correctly.
Quick answer: To turn off your Apple Watch, press and hold the Side Button until the power slider appears, then drag the slider to power off.
Why You Might Need to Turn Off Your Apple Watch
There are multiple scenarios where learning how to turn off Apple Watch becomes important. Turning off your Apple Watch isn’t just about saving battery—it’s about giving your device a break and resolving temporary issues without needing professional help. Here are some common reasons:
- You want to save battery when the watch won’t be used for a while.
- You’re dealing with random glitches, lag, or unresponsive apps.
- The watch is frozen, and a restart or shutdown might resolve the issue.
- You’re planning long-term storage or sending the watch in for repair.
- You’re flying, and you’d rather have the watch off than in airplane mode.
Understanding how to turn off Apple Watch not only helps maintain the device but also improves its long-term performance.
Understanding the Apple Watch Buttons First
Before diving into how to turn off Apple Watch, you should first get familiar with the physical controls. Every function related to powering down or restarting relies on two essential buttons:
- Side Button
- Used to access the power menu
- Needed for shutdowns and restarts
- Also used for SOS and Dock features
- Used to access the power menu
- Digital Crown
- Helps scroll and navigate
- Required for force restarts in case of system freezes
- Returns you to the Home screen when tapped
- Helps scroll and navigate
Once you understand these buttons, performing actions like Apple Watch restart, force shutdown, or using the Apple Watch power button becomes second nature.
How to Turn Off Apple Watch the Normal Way
There are two straightforward methods for turning off your Apple Watch, and both are quick and safe for any model.
Method 1: Using the Side Button
If you want to know how to turn off Apple Watch in the most common way, this is it:
- Press and hold the Side Button (not the Digital Crown).
- Wait for the power slider menu to appear.
- Slide the “Power Off” toggle from left to right.
- Your Apple Watch will begin to shut down immediately.
This method works across all current Apple Watch models, including Series 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, SE, and Ultra.
Method 2: Using the Settings App
If your Side Button is unresponsive or you’re already navigating the watch’s menu:
- Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
- Scroll down and tap General.
- Scroll again and tap Shut Down.
- Slide the power switch to the right.
This method is just as effective, and it’s especially helpful if you’re already exploring settings or updating preferences.
Knowing how to turn off Apple Watch using both the hardware and software routes gives you full control.
How to Turn Your Apple Watch Back On
Turning your watch back on is as simple as the power-down process. To power your Apple Watch back up:
- Press and hold the Side Button until the Apple logo appears.
- Wait a few seconds for the device to boot.
- You’ll be returned to the watch face or passcode screen.
This is the standard method used in an Apple Watch restart. It works the same regardless of model or watchOS version.
The Apple Watch power button (aka Side Button) is essential for rebooting, especially after updates or a full shutdown.
What to Do If Apple Watch Won’t Turn Off
If your screen is unresponsive or you can’t access the power menu, your next best option is a force restart or hard reset. Here’s how to force your Apple Watch to turn off and restart at the same time:
- Press and hold the Side Button and Digital Crown together.
- Hold both buttons for at least 10 seconds.
- Release both when you see the Apple logo appear.
Force restart is especially useful when:
- The screen is frozen
- Apps crash
- The power slider doesn’t appear
- You experience continuous software glitches
Keep in mind, force restarting while charging may not work—unplug the watch first.
This advanced solution is part of understanding how to turn off Apple Watch when normal methods fail.
Tips to Save Battery Without Turning It Off
Sometimes, powering down isn’t necessary. If you want to reduce battery usage while still keeping the watch active, consider these steps instead of asking how to turn off Apple Watch:
- Enable Power Reserve to display only the time.
- Reduce screen brightness in Settings > Display & Brightness.
- Turn off Background App Refresh under General settings.
- Mute or limit notifications to reduce wake-ups and vibrations.
If your goal is to preserve battery but not fully power down, these settings help. You can also toggle Theater Mode or Low Power Mode depending on your watchOS version.
While knowing how to turn off Apple Watch is important, these battery-saving tips are perfect for daily use without interruption.
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Conclusion
By now, you should know exactly how to turn off Apple Watch, whether you’re using it daily, storing it for travel, or fixing minor issues. From simple shutdowns using the Side Button to advanced force restarts, you’ve learned every method that works across all models.
Remember, knowing how to turn off Apple Watch is more than a basic skill—it helps with maintenance, troubleshooting, and saving power. Bookmark this guide or share it with fellow Apple users who might run into similar issues.
Stay informed, stay efficient, and keep your tech running at its best.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Why won’t my Apple Watch turn off when I hold the Side Button?
Make sure you’re holding the correct button—the Side Button below the Digital Crown. If the screen is unresponsive, try a force restart.
Q2. Can I turn off Apple Watch while it’s charging?
No. You’ll need to remove the watch from the charger before accessing the shutdown menu.
Q3. Does turning off Apple Watch save more battery than Power Reserve mode?
Yes. Fully turning off the Apple Watch conserves more battery than Power Reserve because the device is entirely inactive.
Q4. How often should I turn off my Apple Watch?
There’s no fixed rule, but restarting it once a week can improve performance and resolve minor software bugs.
Q5. Can I turn off Apple Watch using my iPhone?
Currently, Apple does not support remote shutdown of the Apple Watch via iPhone. You must do it directly on the watch.
Q6. Will I lose data when I force restart the watch?
No. Force restarting your Apple Watch does not delete any data or settings.
Q7. What’s the difference between a normal shutdown and a force restart?
A normal shutdown is user-initiated and clean, while a force restart forcibly reboots the watch when it’s frozen or unresponsive.
Q8. Is the process of how to turn off Apple Watch different on Series 9 or Ultra?
No. The steps to turn off or restart the Apple Watch are the same across all models, including Series 9 and Ultra.
