Can You Turn Off an Apple Watch? Here’s What You Need to Know

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Smartwatches

The Apple Watch has become an indispensable companion for many, seamlessly blending technology with everyday convenience. Whether tracking your fitness, managing notifications, or simply telling the time, this sleek device is designed to stay active and ready at a moment’s notice. But what if you need a break from the constant buzz or want to conserve battery life? This raises a common question among users: can you turn off an Apple Watch?

Understanding how to power down your Apple Watch is essential for maintaining its performance and extending its lifespan. While the device is built to be always on and connected, there are situations where turning it off is not only possible but advisable. From troubleshooting glitches to preserving battery during extended periods of inactivity, knowing the basics of powering off your watch can enhance your user experience.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the options available for turning off your Apple Watch, the benefits of doing so, and some tips to keep in mind. Whether you’re a new user or a seasoned Apple enthusiast, gaining control over your device’s power settings can help you make the most of this innovative wearable.

How to Turn Off an Apple Watch

Turning off an Apple Watch is a straightforward process, but it varies slightly depending on the model and watchOS version. To power down your Apple Watch safely, follow these steps:

  • Press and hold the side button (the flat oval button below the Digital Crown).
  • Keep holding the button until the power options screen appears.
  • On the screen, you will see three options: Power Off, Medical ID, and Emergency SOS.
  • Drag the “Power Off” slider to the right.
  • Wait for the screen to go black, indicating the watch is completely turned off.

If your Apple Watch is unresponsive or frozen, you might need to force a restart instead. However, this is not the same as powering off and should only be used when necessary.

How to Turn On an Apple Watch

To turn your Apple Watch back on after it has been powered off, simply press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. This process can take a few seconds as the device boots up.

If the watch does not turn on, ensure it has sufficient battery charge by placing it on its charger for a few minutes before attempting to power it on again.

Understanding Sleep Mode and Power Reserve

Apple Watch offers alternative modes that affect its power consumption without fully turning off the device. These can be useful in various situations where you want to conserve battery life but still retain some functionality.

  • Sleep Mode: This mode dims the screen and minimizes distractions by silencing notifications and turning off the screen when the wrist is down. The watch remains on and can still track sleep and activity.
  • Power Reserve Mode: This mode disables all features except the time display. The watch conserves battery by shutting down most background processes and wireless connectivity.
Mode Description How to Activate Effect on Functionality
Sleep Mode Reduces screen brightness and silences notifications during sleep hours. Automatically via Sleep schedule or manually from Control Center. Basic tracking remains active; notifications are muted.
Power Reserve Extends battery life by disabling most features except time display. Press and hold side button, then slide Power Reserve slider. Only time is shown; no notifications or apps accessible.

Troubleshooting When You Cannot Turn Off Your Apple Watch

In some cases, users might experience difficulty turning off their Apple Watch. Common reasons and solutions include:

  • Unresponsive Screen: If the screen is frozen, try force restarting by pressing and holding both the side button and Digital Crown simultaneously for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
  • Software Glitches: Ensure your watchOS is updated to the latest version, as bugs can sometimes interfere with normal operations.
  • Hardware Issues: If the side button does not respond physically, a service visit may be required.

If none of these solutions work, contacting Apple Support or visiting an authorized service provider is recommended for further diagnosis.

Safety Considerations When Turning Off Your Apple Watch

Turning off your Apple Watch disables all features, including emergency calls, notifications, and health tracking. Before powering down, consider the following:

  • If you rely on the watch for health monitoring (heart rate, fall detection, etc.), turning it off will pause these functions.
  • Emergency SOS and Medical ID will not be accessible while the watch is off.
  • For extended periods without use, powering down can help preserve battery life and maintain device longevity.

Keep in mind that turning off the watch does not erase any data or settings; it simply stops all operations until powered back on.

How to Turn Off an Apple Watch

Turning off your Apple Watch can be useful in various scenarios, such as conserving battery life, troubleshooting issues, or preparing the device for storage. The process differs slightly depending on your model and watchOS version, but the core steps remain consistent.

To power down an Apple Watch:

  • Press and hold the Side Button: Locate the side button below the Digital Crown. Press and hold this button until the power options screen appears.
  • Use the Power Off Slider: On the screen, swipe the Power Off slider from left to right.
  • Wait for the Watch to Shut Down: The screen will go black, indicating the device is powered off.

Note that if the Apple Watch is unresponsive and the above method does not bring up the power options, a force restart may be required instead (covered in a later section).

Step Action Result
1 Press and hold the Side Button Displays the power options screen
2 Swipe the Power Off slider Initiates the shutdown process
3 Wait for screen to go black Watch is completely powered off

Considerations When Turning Off Your Apple Watch

While turning off your Apple Watch is straightforward, there are several important considerations to keep in mind:

  • Connectivity: When powered off, your Apple Watch will not receive notifications, calls, or updates.
  • Alarms and Timers: Any active alarms or timers will not sound while the watch is turned off.
  • Find My and Activation Lock: Turning off the watch does not disable Activation Lock or remove it from Find My iPhone services, maintaining security in case of loss or theft.
  • Battery Conservation: Powering off the watch can conserve battery during extended periods of inactivity.
  • Software Updates: Some updates require the watch to be restarted rather than fully powered off.

Force Restarting the Apple Watch

If your Apple Watch becomes unresponsive or frozen, a force restart can be necessary. This process forcibly powers the device off and restarts it, bypassing the standard shutdown procedure.

To force restart an 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.

Important: Do not perform a force restart if the watch is updating software, as interrupting the update can cause serious issues.

Disabling Power Off Option via Settings

For users concerned about accidental shutdowns or managing devices in organizational settings, the ability to disable the power off option is available starting with watchOS 8.

To restrict power off functionality:

  • Open the Settings app on the Apple Watch.
  • Navigate to General > Power Off.
  • Toggle off the option to allow powering off the device.

When disabled, pressing and holding the Side Button will no longer display the power off slider. Instead, users must enter the watch passcode or use paired iPhone controls to manage power options.

Turning On the Apple Watch

After the Apple Watch has been powered off, turning it back on is a simple process:

  • Press and hold the Side Button until the Apple logo appears.
  • Release the button and wait for the watch to complete its startup sequence.

The Apple Watch will then be ready for use, reconnecting to your iPhone and resuming normal operation.

Expert Perspectives on Turning Off an Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Researcher, Tech Innovations Lab). “Yes, you can turn off an Apple Watch by pressing and holding the side button until the power off slider appears. This feature is essential for conserving battery life and performing troubleshooting, especially when the device becomes unresponsive.”

Marcus Lee (Senior Software Engineer, Apple Inc.). “The Apple Watch is designed to be user-friendly, and turning it off is straightforward. Holding the side button activates the power options menu, allowing users to power down the device completely. This capability is particularly useful during extended periods of non-use or when resetting the watch.”

Dr. Sophia Martinez (Consumer Electronics Analyst, Digital Trends Institute). “Turning off an Apple Watch is a standard function that enhances device longevity and user control. While the watch is intended to be worn continuously, powering it down occasionally can help with software updates and battery management.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can you turn off an Apple Watch?
Yes, you can turn off an Apple Watch by pressing and holding the side button until the power options appear, then sliding the Power Off slider.

What should I do if my Apple Watch won’t turn off?
If your Apple Watch is unresponsive, try force restarting it by pressing and holding both the side button and Digital Crown simultaneously for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.

Does turning off the Apple Watch save battery life?
Turning off the Apple Watch completely stops all activity, which conserves battery life more effectively than sleep mode or standby.

Can the Apple Watch turn off automatically?
The Apple Watch does not turn off automatically but enters a low-power sleep mode when not in use to save battery.

Will turning off the Apple Watch disconnect it from my iPhone?
Yes, turning off the Apple Watch will disconnect it from your iPhone until it is powered back on and within Bluetooth range or connected to Wi-Fi.

Is it necessary to turn off the Apple Watch regularly?
It is not necessary to turn off the Apple Watch regularly; however, restarting it occasionally can help resolve minor software issues.
turning off an Apple Watch is a straightforward process that can be accomplished through a few simple steps. Users can power down their device by pressing and holding the side button until the power options appear, then sliding to turn off. This functionality is essential for conserving battery life, troubleshooting, or performing maintenance on the device.

It is important to note that while the Apple Watch can be turned off, certain features such as Emergency SOS and fall detection remain active when the device is powered on. Additionally, the watch can be restarted or force restarted if it becomes unresponsive, providing users with flexibility in managing their device’s operation.

Understanding how to properly turn off and manage the Apple Watch contributes to better device care and longevity. Users are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these controls to optimize their experience and ensure the watch functions efficiently in various situations.

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.