How Do You Turn Off an Apple Watch?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

If you’re new to the Apple Watch or simply exploring its features, knowing how to turn off your device is an essential skill. Whether you want to conserve battery life, troubleshoot an issue, or simply take a break from notifications, powering down your Apple Watch is a straightforward process that every user should be familiar with. Understanding this basic function can enhance your overall experience and help you manage your device more effectively.

Turning off an Apple Watch might seem like a simple task, but it’s slightly different from other gadgets you may be used to. The watch’s sleek design and touch interface mean that traditional buttons and power options work in unique ways. Additionally, the Apple Watch offers various modes and settings that influence how and when it powers down, making it important to grasp the essentials before proceeding.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the key steps and considerations involved in turning off your Apple Watch. Whether you own the latest model or an earlier version, you’ll gain clear insights into managing your device’s power settings with ease and confidence. Get ready to take control of your Apple Watch like a pro!

Using the Power Off Menu to Turn Off Your Apple Watch

To turn off your Apple Watch using the power off menu, begin by pressing and holding the side button located just below the Digital Crown. After a few seconds, the screen will display several options, including “Power Off,” “Medical ID,” and “Emergency SOS.”

Slide the “Power Off” slider from left to right to initiate shutdown. This process safely powers down the device, preserving battery life and preventing unintended interactions. It is important to note that turning off your Apple Watch via this method fully disables all functions until it is manually turned back on.

Turning Off Apple Watch When Unresponsive

If your Apple Watch becomes unresponsive and does not respond to the normal power off procedure, a force restart may be necessary. This action should only be performed when the device is frozen or experiencing critical issues.

To force restart your Apple Watch:

  • Press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown simultaneously.
  • Continue holding both buttons for at least 10 seconds.
  • Release the buttons when the Apple logo appears on the screen.

This method forcibly restarts the device but does not erase any data. It is different from a factory reset and should be used only as a last resort when the device is not responding to normal inputs.

Power Management Tips for Apple Watch

Properly managing power on your Apple Watch can extend battery life and reduce the frequency of needing to turn off the device. Consider the following recommendations:

  • Enable Power Reserve mode to display only the time while disabling other features.
  • Lower screen brightness and reduce screen wake duration.
  • Disable unnecessary notifications.
  • Turn off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth when not in use.
  • Use Theater Mode to prevent the screen from waking with wrist movement.
Power Management Feature Description How to Enable
Power Reserve Limits functionality to display only the time to conserve battery. Press and hold side button, then slide Power Reserve slider.
Theater Mode Prevents screen from waking and mutes notifications. Swipe up on watch face, tap the Theater Mode icon (two masks).
Reduce Brightness Lowers screen brightness to save battery. Settings > Display & Brightness > Adjust Brightness.
Disable Wi-Fi/Bluetooth Turns off wireless radios to save power. Swipe up for Control Center, tap Wi-Fi or Bluetooth icons.

Turning Off Apple Watch Without the Side Button

In situations where the side button is damaged or unresponsive, turning off the Apple Watch requires alternative approaches. Unfortunately, there is no direct software option to power off the device without using the hardware button. However, you can:

  • Drain the battery fully, after which the watch will turn off automatically.
  • Use the Watch app on your paired iPhone to unpair the Apple Watch. This process will reset the device and turn it off as part of the unpairing procedure.

It is advisable to seek professional repair if the side button is malfunctioning, as normal operation depends on this hardware component.

Considerations for Turning Off Cellular Models

Apple Watch models with cellular capabilities have additional considerations when powering down. Turning off the watch disables cellular connectivity, which means:

  • You will not receive calls, messages, or notifications over the cellular network.
  • Emergency SOS via cellular will be unavailable until the watch is powered back on.
  • Data synchronization with the paired iPhone via cellular will pause.

If you need to maintain connectivity while conserving battery, consider enabling Airplane Mode instead of turning off the device.

Mode Effect on Cellular Connectivity Battery Impact
Power Off All cellular functions disabled Minimal power consumption (off)
Airplane Mode Disables cellular and wireless radios Reduced power consumption
Normal Operation Cellular active (if enabled) Standard power consumption

Turning Off Your Apple Watch

To power down your Apple Watch completely, follow these straightforward steps. Turning off the device can help conserve battery life or prepare it for storage or troubleshooting.

  • Press and hold the side button (the flat oval button below the Digital Crown) until the power options screen appears.
  • On the screen, you will see three options: Power Off, Medical ID, and Emergency SOS.
  • Swipe the Power Off slider from left to right.
  • Wait for the screen to go completely black, indicating the Apple Watch is off.

When the Apple Watch is off, it consumes minimal power and will not track activity or receive notifications.

Restarting the Apple Watch

If you need to turn the Apple Watch back on, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. This process can take several seconds, so be patient.

In certain situations, a force restart may be necessary, such as when the device is unresponsive. To perform a force restart:

  • Press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown simultaneously.
  • Keep holding both buttons until the Apple logo appears, then release them.

Note that a force restart should only be used if the watch is frozen or not responding to normal inputs, as it abruptly interrupts ongoing processes.

Turning Off Apple Watch Without Side Button

If the side button on your Apple Watch is malfunctioning or unresponsive, you can also turn off the watch using the paired iPhone:

  • Open the Watch app on your iPhone.
  • Go to General settings.
  • Scroll down and tap Shut Down.

This command will remotely power off the Apple Watch, providing an alternative method in case of hardware issues.

Power Off Options Compared

Method Steps Use Case Notes
Side Button Power Off Hold side button → Slide Power Off Regular shutdown Recommended for routine powering down
Force Restart Hold side button + Digital Crown until logo Unresponsive or frozen device Use only if normal shutdown fails
iPhone Watch App Watch app → General → Shut Down Hardware button issues or remote shutdown Requires proximity and pairing with iPhone

Expert Guidance on How To Turn Off an Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechHealth Innovations). To power down an Apple Watch, press and hold the side button until the power off slider appears on the screen. Then, swipe the slider to the right to turn off the device completely. This method ensures the watch safely shuts down without risking data loss or system errors.

Marcus Lee (Senior Software Engineer, Apple Ecosystem Development). The Apple Watch’s shutdown process is designed to be user-friendly and secure. Holding the side button activates the shutdown interface, allowing users to turn off the watch or access emergency features. It is important to follow the on-screen instructions carefully to avoid accidental resets or interruptions in syncing.

Sophia Martinez (Consumer Electronics Analyst, Digital Trends Review). From a consumer perspective, turning off the Apple Watch is straightforward but often overlooked. Users should remember that powering off the watch can help conserve battery life and resolve minor software glitches. Always ensure the watch is not charging when attempting to turn it off, as this can affect the shutdown process.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I turn off my Apple Watch?
Press and hold the side button until the power off slider appears. Drag the slider to the right to power off your Apple Watch.

Can I force turn off my Apple Watch if it is unresponsive?
Yes. Press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown simultaneously for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo disappears and the watch turns off.

Will turning off my Apple Watch affect my data?
No. Turning off your Apple Watch does not delete any data. All your information remains intact and will be available when you power it back on.

How do I turn my Apple Watch back on?
Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears, then release the button. The watch will boot up shortly.

Is it necessary to turn off my Apple Watch regularly?
It is not required to turn off your Apple Watch regularly. However, restarting it occasionally can help resolve minor software issues and improve performance.

Can I turn off my Apple Watch remotely?
No. You cannot power off your Apple Watch remotely. Physical access to the device is necessary to turn it off.
Turning off an Apple Watch is a straightforward process that involves pressing and holding the side button until the power options appear on the screen. From there, users can slide the Power Off slider to completely shut down the device. This method ensures the watch is fully powered down, which can be useful for conserving battery life, troubleshooting issues, or when the device will not be used for an extended period.

It is important to note that force restarting the Apple Watch, which involves pressing and holding both the side button and Digital Crown simultaneously, should only be used when the device is unresponsive. Regular shutdown through the power off slider is the recommended approach for routine powering down. Additionally, users should be aware that turning off the Apple Watch will temporarily disable features such as notifications, fitness tracking, and connectivity until the device is powered back on.

Overall, understanding how to properly turn off an Apple Watch enhances user control over the device’s operation and maintenance. This knowledge supports better device management, helps extend battery life, and ensures that the watch functions optimally when in use. Users are encouraged to follow the recommended steps to avoid any potential issues associated with improper shutdowns.

Author Profile

Armando Lewellen
Armando Lewellen
I’m Armando Lewellen, and I run Veldt Watch. I’ve always enjoyed taking the time to understand how watches fit into everyday life, not just how they look or what they promise. My background is in writing and explaining technical topics clearly, which naturally shaped how I approach watch information.

Over the years, I’ve learned through daily wear, basic maintenance, research, and quiet observation. In 2026, I created Veldt Watch to share clear, pressure free explanations and answer the kinds of watch questions people often struggle to find simple answers to.