How Do You Restart an Apple Watch Ultra?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

Restarting your Apple Watch Ultra can be a simple yet essential step in maintaining its optimal performance and resolving minor glitches. Whether you’re experiencing unresponsiveness, connectivity issues, or just want to refresh your device, knowing how to properly restart your Apple Watch Ultra ensures you keep it running smoothly. This guide will walk you through the process, making it easy even if you’re new to the device.

The Apple Watch Ultra combines advanced technology with a sleek design, offering users a powerful wearable experience. However, like any smart device, it occasionally needs a quick reboot to clear temporary software hiccups or improve responsiveness. Understanding the restart process not only helps in troubleshooting but also extends the longevity of your watch by preventing unnecessary complications.

In the following sections, you’ll discover straightforward methods to restart your Apple Watch Ultra safely and efficiently. Whether you prefer using physical buttons or navigating through settings, this overview will prepare you to confidently manage your device’s performance whenever needed.

Steps to Restart Your Apple Watch Ultra

To restart your Apple Watch Ultra, you need to perform a series of straightforward steps that ensure your device powers down and restarts properly without losing any data. Restarting can resolve minor software glitches and improve performance.

Begin by pressing and holding the side button (located below the Digital Crown) until you see the Power Off slider appear on the screen. This slider allows you to turn off the device safely.

Once the Power Off slider appears:

  • Drag the slider to the right to power off the watch.
  • Wait for the screen to go completely dark, confirming the device is off.
  • After the watch is fully powered down, press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears. This indicates the watch is turning back on.

It is important to avoid forcing a restart by holding down multiple buttons simultaneously unless the device is unresponsive. A forced restart should only be done as a last resort.

When to Perform a Forced Restart

Sometimes the Apple Watch Ultra may freeze or become unresponsive, necessitating a forced restart. This is different from a standard restart and should be used cautiously because it abruptly cuts power to the device.

To perform a forced restart:

  • Press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown simultaneously.
  • Keep holding both buttons for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
  • Release the buttons once the logo is visible, and allow the watch to reboot normally.

Use this method only if the watch is completely unresponsive and does not turn off using the standard Power Off slider.

Power Management and Restart Considerations

Before restarting, ensure your Apple Watch Ultra has sufficient battery life. Restarting with a critically low battery can cause issues or prolonged startup times. It is recommended to have at least a 20% charge before initiating a restart.

If your Apple Watch Ultra is paired with an iPhone, ensure the iPhone is nearby and Bluetooth is enabled. This helps maintain connectivity during the restart process and ensures features like notifications resume smoothly after reboot.

Restart Method Use Case Button Combination Notes
Standard Restart Routine reboot to fix minor issues Hold side button → Power Off slider → Drag slider → Hold side button to turn on Safe and recommended method
Forced Restart Unresponsive or frozen device Hold side button + Digital Crown for ~10 seconds Use only when necessary to avoid data corruption

Additional Tips for a Smooth Restart

  • Close any running apps on your Apple Watch Ultra before restarting to prevent potential data loss.
  • If you experience frequent freezes or need to restart often, consider updating your watchOS to the latest version.
  • Restart your paired iPhone if connectivity issues persist after restarting the watch.
  • Avoid restarting in extreme temperatures, as this can affect battery performance and startup time.

By following these steps and considerations, you can efficiently restart your Apple Watch Ultra and maintain its optimal performance.

Restarting Your Apple Watch Ultra

Restarting the Apple Watch Ultra is a straightforward process that can resolve minor software glitches, improve performance, or apply new settings. The device offers two primary methods to restart: a standard restart and a force restart, each suited for different situations.

Standard Restart

This is the preferred method for turning off and then turning on your Apple Watch Ultra in normal conditions. It safely closes all running apps and processes without risking data loss.

  • Press and hold the side button located below the Digital Crown until the power options appear on the screen.
  • Swipe the “Power Off” slider from left to right to turn off the watch.
  • Wait for the screen to go completely dark, indicating the watch is off.
  • Press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears, signaling the device is powering back on.

Force Restart

Use this method only if the Apple Watch Ultra becomes unresponsive or frozen. Force restarting bypasses the normal shutdown procedure and can resolve more severe software issues.

  • Simultaneously press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown.
  • Keep holding both buttons for at least 10 seconds.
  • Release both buttons when the Apple logo appears on the screen.
Restart Method When to Use Steps Summary
Standard Restart Regular restart for performance improvements or after software updates Press and hold side button → Swipe “Power Off” → Wait → Press side button to power on
Force Restart Device unresponsive or frozen Press and hold side button + Digital Crown for 10+ seconds → Release at Apple logo

Note that force restarting should be reserved for troubleshooting scenarios only, as frequent use can potentially cause software instability. Always attempt a standard restart first when possible.

Expert Guidance on Restarting the Apple Watch Ultra

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechHealth Innovations). Restarting the Apple Watch Ultra is a straightforward process that helps resolve minor software glitches. To perform a restart, press and hold the side button along with the Digital Crown simultaneously until the Apple logo appears. This method ensures a complete reboot without affecting your data, which is essential for maintaining device performance and longevity.

Marcus Langford (Senior Software Engineer, Apple Watch OS Development Team). When restarting the Apple Watch Ultra, it is crucial to avoid forcing a shutdown unless the device is unresponsive. The recommended approach is to press and hold the side button until the power off slider appears, then slide to power off. After the watch is off, press and hold the side button again to turn it back on. This controlled restart helps preserve system stability and prevents potential data corruption.

Sophia Martinez (Consumer Electronics Analyst, Wearable Tech Review). For users experiencing persistent issues with their Apple Watch Ultra, a restart can be an effective first step. However, if the device does not respond to the standard restart procedure, performing a force restart by holding both the side button and Digital Crown for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears is advisable. This process should be used sparingly to avoid unnecessary strain on the hardware.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I restart my Apple Watch Ultra?
Press and hold the side button until the Power Off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off the watch. After it shuts down, press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears to restart.

Can I force restart the Apple Watch Ultra if it is unresponsive?
Yes. Press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown simultaneously for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears, then release to force restart.

Will restarting my Apple Watch Ultra erase any data?
No. Restarting your Apple Watch Ultra does not delete any data or settings; it simply refreshes the device’s system.

How often should I restart my Apple Watch Ultra?
There is no set frequency, but restarting occasionally can help resolve minor software issues and improve performance.

What should I do if my Apple Watch Ultra won’t restart?
Ensure the watch has sufficient battery charge by placing it on the charger. If it still won’t restart, try a force restart or contact Apple Support for further assistance.

Does restarting the Apple Watch Ultra affect paired iPhone connectivity?
Restarting the watch temporarily disconnects it from the iPhone, but it will automatically reconnect once both devices are powered on and within range.
Restarting the Apple Watch Ultra is a straightforward process that can help resolve minor software issues and improve overall device performance. The primary method involves pressing and holding the side button until the power off slider appears, then sliding to power off, and finally pressing and holding the side button again to turn the watch back on. This simple restart can refresh the system without affecting your data or settings.

In cases where the Apple Watch Ultra becomes unresponsive, a force restart may be necessary. This is done by simultaneously pressing and holding both the side button and the Digital Crown for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears. It is important to use this method only when the device is frozen or not responding, as it bypasses the normal shutdown process.

Overall, understanding how to properly restart your Apple Watch Ultra ensures that you can quickly troubleshoot common issues and maintain optimal device functionality. Regularly restarting your watch can contribute to smoother operation and prolong the lifespan of the device. Always follow the recommended procedures to avoid unintended data loss or hardware complications.

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.