How Do I Restart My Apple Watch?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

If you’re an Apple Watch user, you know how seamlessly it integrates into your daily routine—tracking fitness, managing notifications, and keeping you connected on the go. But like any tech device, there are moments when your Apple Watch might need a quick refresh to keep running smoothly. Whether it’s responding sluggishly, freezing, or just acting a bit off, knowing how to restart your Apple Watch can be a simple yet effective solution.

Restarting your Apple Watch is more than just turning it off and on again; it’s a straightforward process designed to help resolve minor glitches and improve performance without affecting your data. Understanding when and how to perform this action can save you time and avoid unnecessary frustration. In the following sections, we’ll explore the different methods to restart your device, ensuring you can get back to enjoying its full functionality with ease.

Whether you’re a new user or have had your Apple Watch for a while, mastering the restart process is an essential part of maintaining your device’s health. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from basic restarts to force restarts, so you can confidently troubleshoot and keep your Apple Watch running at its best.

Restarting Your Apple Watch Manually

To perform a manual restart on your Apple Watch, start by pressing and holding the side button until the power options appear on the screen. This process is similar to how you restart many other electronic devices but tailored for the watch’s compact interface. After the power options display, you will see three choices: Power Off, Medical ID, and Emergency SOS.

To restart, drag the “Power Off” slider from left to right. This action will turn off the watch completely. Wait for the screen to go dark, which usually takes about 10 to 15 seconds. Once the device is fully powered down, press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears. This indicates that the watch is powering back on.

Restarting the device manually is often useful for resolving minor software glitches or freezing issues without affecting your data or settings. It is also the recommended first step before exploring more advanced troubleshooting methods.

Force Restarting Your Apple Watch

A force restart is a more aggressive way to reboot your Apple Watch and should only be used when the device is unresponsive or frozen, and a manual restart is not possible. This method forces the watch to shut down and reboot without using the on-screen menus.

To force restart your Apple Watch:

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

Be cautious with force restarting, as it interrupts all current processes abruptly. This method does not erase any content but should not be used as a routine restart method because it can cause system instability if done frequently.

Using the Watch App on Your iPhone to Restart

While the Apple Watch itself does not have a dedicated restart command in the Watch app on your iPhone, you can use the app to troubleshoot issues that might require a restart. For example, if your watch is not syncing or is behaving erratically, restarting via the watch hardware might be necessary after diagnosing the problem through the iPhone app.

Within the Watch app, you can:

  • Check for watchOS updates.
  • Manage settings that may affect performance.
  • Unpair and re-pair your watch, which involves an automatic restart during the process.

Unpairing your Apple Watch from your iPhone causes the watch to erase its data and perform a factory reset, which is a more comprehensive troubleshooting step than a simple restart.

Comparison of Restart Methods

Restart Method When to Use Effect on Data Steps
Manual Restart Routine issues, minor glitches No data loss Hold side button → Slide Power Off → Hold side button to turn on
Force Restart Unresponsive/frozen watch No data loss, but abrupt Hold side button + Digital Crown for 10+ seconds → Release at Apple logo
Unpair & Re-pair (via iPhone) Severe issues, troubleshooting sync Erases watch data, backed up to iPhone Open Watch app → Select watch → Unpair Apple Watch → Re-pair

Additional Tips for Restarting Your Apple Watch

When restarting your Apple Watch, keep these expert tips in mind to ensure a smooth process:

  • Always ensure your Apple Watch has sufficient battery charge before restarting, especially if forced to power off.
  • If restarting does not resolve persistent issues, consider checking for watchOS updates, as software updates often fix bugs.
  • Avoid force restarting the watch frequently, as it can stress the system.
  • If your watch frequently freezes or becomes unresponsive, a deeper diagnostic or contacting Apple Support may be necessary.

By understanding the appropriate restart method and following these guidelines, you can maintain the optimal performance and longevity of your Apple Watch.

Restarting Your Apple Watch

Restarting your Apple Watch can resolve minor software glitches and improve its performance. The process varies slightly depending on the model and software version, but the following methods cover the most common approaches.

Standard Restart Method

To perform a basic restart, follow these steps:

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

This method safely shuts down the watch and restarts it without erasing any data.

Force Restart When Unresponsive

If your Apple Watch becomes unresponsive or frozen, a force restart may be necessary. Use this method only when the standard restart fails:

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

This action forces the watch to reboot, bypassing normal shutdown procedures.

Table: Restart Methods Overview

Restart Type When to Use Steps Data Loss Risk
Standard Restart Routine maintenance, minor issues
  1. Hold side button
  2. Swipe Power Off
  3. Turn on with side button
 None
Force Restart Device frozen or unresponsive
  1. Hold side button + Digital Crown
  2. Release on Apple logo
 None

Additional Considerations

  • Do not force restart while updating: Interrupting an update can cause software corruption. Only force restart if absolutely necessary.
  • Battery level: Ensure the watch has sufficient charge before restarting; low battery may prevent it from powering back on.
  • Unpairing and resetting: Restarting does not erase content. For persistent issues, consider unpairing and factory resetting the watch through the Watch app on your iPhone.

Expert Guidance on Restarting Your Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechHealth Innovations). Restarting your Apple Watch is a straightforward process that can resolve many minor software glitches. To do this, press and hold the side button until the power off slider appears, then drag the slider to turn off the device. After it powers down completely, press and hold the side button again until the Apple logo appears. This method ensures a clean reboot without affecting your data.

Michael Torres (Senior Apple Support Engineer, Cupertino Solutions). When your Apple Watch becomes unresponsive, a forced restart might be necessary. To force restart, simultaneously press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears. However, this should only be used as a last resort, as it interrupts the normal shutdown process and could potentially cause data loss if done repeatedly.

Sophia Martinez (Consumer Electronics Analyst, Wearable Trends Journal). It’s important for users to understand that restarting the Apple Watch regularly can help maintain optimal performance and battery life. Apple recommends restarting the device if you notice sluggishness or connectivity issues. Always ensure your watchOS is up to date before troubleshooting, as software updates often include fixes that reduce the need for restarts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

What should I do if my Apple Watch is unresponsive and won’t restart?
Perform a force restart by pressing and holding both the side button and the Digital Crown simultaneously for at least 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.

Will restarting my Apple Watch erase any data?
No, restarting your Apple Watch does not erase any data. It simply powers the device off and on to refresh its system.

Can I restart my Apple Watch without using the screen?
Yes, if the screen is unresponsive, you can force restart the watch by holding both the side button and Digital Crown together until the Apple logo is displayed.

How often should I restart my Apple Watch?
Restarting your Apple Watch occasionally can help maintain optimal performance, especially if you notice sluggishness or connectivity issues. There is no fixed schedule required.

What is the difference between restarting and force restarting an Apple Watch?
Restarting is a standard shutdown and power-on process initiated via the side button. Force restarting is used when the watch is frozen or unresponsive and involves holding both the side button and Digital Crown until the device restarts.
Restarting your Apple Watch is a straightforward process that can help resolve minor software issues and improve overall 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 the side button again to turn the device back on. This simple step can often restore normal functionality without the need for more complex troubleshooting.

In cases where the Apple Watch is unresponsive, a force restart may be necessary. This is done by pressing and holding both the side button and the Digital Crown simultaneously for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears. It is important to use this method sparingly, as frequent force restarts can potentially impact the device’s software stability.

Understanding how to properly restart your Apple Watch ensures that you can maintain optimal device performance and quickly address minor issues. Regularly restarting your watch can help clear temporary glitches, while knowing when to perform a force restart can save time and prevent unnecessary frustration. Always follow the recommended procedures to protect the longevity and functionality of your Apple Watch.

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.