How Do You Turn Off an Apple Watch?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Smartwatches

Turning off your Apple Watch might seem like a simple task, but for many users—especially those new to the device—it can be surprisingly elusive. Whether you’re looking to conserve battery life, troubleshoot an issue, or simply take a break from notifications, knowing how to properly power down your Apple Watch is an essential skill. This guide will help you navigate the process with ease and confidence.

The Apple Watch is designed to be intuitive and user-friendly, yet its sleek interface sometimes hides basic functions behind gestures and button combinations. Understanding how to turn off the watch not only helps in managing your device’s performance but also ensures you can reset or restart it when needed. As you explore this topic, you’ll gain insight into the different methods available and when each one is most appropriate.

In the following sections, we’ll delve into the step-by-step procedures for turning off your Apple Watch, including tips for various models and scenarios. Whether you’re using it for fitness tracking, staying connected, or simply enjoying its features, mastering this simple action will enhance your overall experience and device management.

Methods to Turn Off Your Apple Watch

Turning off your Apple Watch is a straightforward process, but it varies slightly depending on the model and watchOS version. Below are the primary methods to power down your device.

To turn off your Apple Watch:

  • Using the Side Button: Press and hold the side button (below the Digital Crown) until the Power Off slider appears on the screen.
  • Slide to Power Off: Drag the Power Off slider from left to right. The screen will go black, indicating the watch is off.

If your Apple Watch is unresponsive, you can perform a force restart by pressing and holding both the side button and the Digital Crown simultaneously for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears. However, this is not the same as turning off the device and should only be used when necessary.

Turning Off Apple Watch Without the Screen

In some cases, the Apple Watch screen might be damaged or unresponsive, preventing you from using the touchscreen to power off the device. Here are alternative ways to turn off your watch:

– **Using the Paired iPhone**:
Open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to the My Watch tab, then tap General > Shut Down. This option is available on watchOS 8 and later and allows you to remotely power off your Apple Watch.

  • Letting the Battery Drain:

If the screen is completely non-functional and no remote options are viable, allowing the battery to drain completely will turn off the watch. This is a last resort and can take several hours depending on usage.

Force Restart vs. Power Off

It is important to distinguish between turning off your Apple Watch and performing a force restart. The table below summarizes the differences:

Action How to Perform When to Use Effect
Power Off Press and hold side button, then slide to power off Regular shutdown or conserving battery Turns off watch completely; safe shutdown
Force Restart Press and hold side button + Digital Crown for 10 seconds When watch is frozen or unresponsive Hard reset; may cause data loss if done during updates

Avoid force restarting unless necessary, as it interrupts processes abruptly and can cause software issues.

Additional Tips for Managing Apple Watch Power

To optimize your Apple Watch’s battery life and manage power effectively, consider the following tips:

  • Enable Power Reserve Mode:

This mode disables all features except the current time, significantly extending battery life. To activate, press and hold the side button, then drag the Power Reserve slider.

  • Reduce Screen Brightness:

Lowering brightness can help conserve battery.

  • Disable Always-On Display (for supported models):

Turning off Always-On Display reduces power consumption.

  • Turn Off Unused Features:

Features like Background App Refresh, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth can be disabled when not needed.

  • Keep Software Updated:

Apple regularly releases updates that improve battery efficiency and device stability.

By understanding the correct methods to power off and manage your Apple Watch’s power settings, you can maintain optimal device performance and longevity.

How to Turn Off Your Apple Watch

Turning off your Apple Watch can be necessary for troubleshooting, conserving battery life, or preparing the device for storage. The process is straightforward and can be completed in a few simple steps:

  • Press and hold the side button: Locate the side button below the Digital Crown on your Apple Watch. Press and hold this button until the power options appear on the screen.
  • Use the Power Off slider: When the power options display, you will see three options: “Power Off,” “Medical ID,” and “Emergency SOS.” Slide the “Power Off” slider to the right.
  • Confirm shutdown: After sliding the “Power Off” option, the screen will go black, indicating that the Apple Watch is completely turned off.

This method works across all Apple Watch models running current watchOS versions.

Alternative Method: Using Settings to Power Off

If the side button is unresponsive or you prefer navigating through menus, you can turn off your Apple Watch from the Settings app:

Step Action
1 Press the Digital Crown to access the Home screen.
2 Tap on the Settings app icon.
3 Scroll down and select General.
4 Scroll to the bottom and tap on Shut Down.
5 Slide the Power Off slider to the right to turn off the watch.

This approach is useful when the physical buttons are not responding properly or if you prefer a touch-based interface.

Force Restart When Apple Watch Is Unresponsive

In cases where your Apple Watch does not respond to the standard shutdown process, performing a force restart may be necessary. This should only be used when the device is frozen or completely unresponsive because it forcibly interrupts the system.

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

Note that a force restart does not turn off the watch permanently; it simply reboots the device.

Additional Tips for Power Management

Properly managing your Apple Watch’s power can extend battery life and ensure optimal performance. Consider the following tips related to turning off your device:

  • Turn off when not in use: If you plan to not wear your Apple Watch for an extended period, turning it off can preserve battery life.
  • Use Power Reserve mode: Instead of turning off, enabling Power Reserve mode limits functionality to display only the time, conserving battery.
  • Charge before turning on: If your watch battery is completely depleted, connect it to its charger before attempting to power it on.

Summary of Button Functions for Power Control

Button Function Related to Power
Side Button Press and hold to access power options; single press to show recently used apps.
Digital Crown Used with side button for force restart; also controls navigation and zoom.

Expert Guidance on How to Turn Off Your Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechHealth Innovations). Turning off an Apple Watch is a straightforward process that involves pressing and holding the side button until the power off slider appears. This method ensures the device shuts down safely, preserving battery life and preventing potential software glitches.

Marcus Lee (Senior User Experience Designer, Apple Inc.). From a user interface perspective, the design choice to require a press-and-hold on the side button to power off the Apple Watch balances ease of access with preventing accidental shutdowns. It’s important for users to hold the button long enough to see the power off slider before attempting to slide it.

Sarah Patel (Consumer Electronics Analyst, Gadget Review Weekly). Many users are unaware that forcibly turning off the Apple Watch by holding the side button and Digital Crown simultaneously should only be done when the device is unresponsive. The recommended shutdown is via the power off slider to avoid interrupting system processes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I turn off my Apple Watch?
Press and hold the side button until the power off slider appears. Then, drag the slider to the right to power off the device.

Can I turn off my Apple Watch without using the screen?
No, turning off the Apple Watch requires interacting with the screen to drag the power off slider after holding the side button.

Will my Apple Watch turn off automatically when the battery is low?
Yes, the Apple Watch will automatically power off when the battery is critically low to preserve remaining power.

How do I force restart my Apple Watch if it is unresponsive?
Press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown simultaneously for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.

Does turning off the Apple Watch disconnect it from my iPhone?
Yes, turning off the Apple Watch disables all wireless connections, including the connection to your iPhone.

Can I schedule my Apple Watch to turn off automatically?
No, the Apple Watch does not have a built-in feature to schedule automatic power off times.
Turning off an Apple Watch is a straightforward process that can be accomplished by pressing and holding the side button until the power options appear, then sliding to power off. This method ensures the device is fully shut down, which can help conserve battery life or troubleshoot minor issues. It is important to note that the Apple Watch cannot be turned off while it is charging, so disconnecting it from the charger is necessary before powering down.

Understanding how to properly turn off the Apple Watch is essential for maintaining device performance and managing battery usage effectively. Additionally, knowing how to restart or force restart the watch can be valuable when addressing unresponsive behavior. Users should also be aware that turning off the watch disables all functions until it is powered back on, which may affect notifications and connectivity.

In summary, mastering the power management of the Apple Watch enhances user control and device longevity. Following the correct steps to turn off the watch ensures a smooth user experience and helps prevent potential technical issues. For optimal use, users should familiarize themselves with both standard and emergency power options available on the 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.