If you’re new to the Apple Watch, you might be wondering how do you turn off your apple watch. You can turn the Apple Watch off through a specific button combination or a setting in the software. It’s a simple process, but it’s different from turning off an iPhone, which can cause a bit of confusion.
This guide will walk you through every method, from the standard shutdown to force restarting if your device is unresponsive. We’ll also cover related topics like power reserve mode and what to do if your watch won’t turn back on.
How Do You Turn Off Your Apple Watch
The primary method for shutting down your Apple Watch is straightforward and works on all models, from the very first generation to the latest Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2. It involves using the side button, which is the one located below the Digital Crown.
Here are the step-by-step instructions:
- Press and hold the side button on your Apple Watch. You will see the Power Off slider appear on the screen after a couple seconds.
- Drag the “Power Off” slider to the right with your finger.
- Your watch screen will go black, indicating it is powering down. Wait a few moments for the shutdown to complete.
That’s all there is to it. Your Apple Watch is now off. To turn it back on, simply press and hold the same side button until you see the Apple logo appear on the screen. It may take a minute to fully start up.
Why Can’t I Find The Power Off Button?
Unlike an iPhone, the Apple Watch does not have a software “power button” in the Settings app. The only way to initiate a full shutdown is by using the physical side button as described above. If you’re looking in the Settings app for a shutdown option, you won’t find one there.
Some users confuse the side button with the Digital Crown. Remember, the side button is the flat, oblong button. The Digital Crown is the round, dial-like button on the opposite side. Pressing and holding the Digital Crown activates Siri, not the power menu.
Turning Off Your Apple Watch Using Your IPhone
While you can’t directly tap a “shut down” command from your iPhone, you can use the Apple Watch app on your paired iPhone to access settings that lead to a shutdown. This is helpful if your watch screen is damaged or unresponsive to touch but is still connected.
Follow these steps:
- Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
- Tap on the “My Watch” tab at the bottom.
- Go to “General” > “Shut Down”.
- You will see a prompt for your Apple Watch. Tap “Shut Down” to confirm.
This sends the shutdown command to your watch, which will then power off. To turn it back on, you’ll still need to use the physical side button on the watch itself.
What To Do If Your Apple Watch Is Unresponsive
Sometimes, an app might freeze or the watch’s software may become unresponsive. The screen might not turn on, or it might be stuck on a single screen and not react to touches or button presses. In these cases, a standard shutdown might not work because you can’t access the Power Off slider.
The solution is to force restart your Apple Watch. This is similar to force restarting an iPhone and can resolve many minor software glitches.
How To Force Restart Any Apple Watch Model
The process for a force restart is the same for all Apple Watch models. It’s a good first step for troubleshooting.
- Press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown at the same time.
- Keep holding them both for at least 10 seconds.
- Release both buttons when you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.
Your watch will then restart. This process does not erase any data or settings; it simply forces the operating system to reboot. If the force restart is successful, your watch should return to normal funtioning.
Understanding Power Reserve Mode
Power Reserve is a special low-power state, not the same as turning the watch off. It is designed to extend your battery life dramatically by shutting down all features except for showing the time. When you enable Power Reserve, your watch essentially becomes a simple digital watch.
In Power Reserve Mode, you cannot use apps, receive notifications, or track fitness metrics. The heart rate sensor and other features are disabled.
How To Enter And Exit Power Reserve Mode
You can activate Power Reserve in two ways:
- From the Control Center: Swipe up on your watch face to open Control Center. Tap the battery percentage icon, then tap “Power Reserve” and confirm.
- Automatically: When your battery drops to 10%, you will get a prompt to enter Power Reserve. You can choose to enable it then.
To exit Power Reserve Mode, you must restart your watch. Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. This will perform a full restart and return your watch to normal operation. Note that exiting Power Reserve can take a little longer than a normal startup.
It’s important to not confuse Power Reserve with simply turning the device off. If you want to save battery but keep all functions, it’s better to just turn the watch off completely.
Common Scenarios and Troubleshooting
Let’s address some specific situations you might encounter when trying to manage your Apple Watch’s power state.
My Apple Watch Won’t Turn On After Shutting Down
If you’ve turned your watch off and now it won’t turn back on, don’t panic. The most common cause is a depleted battery.
First, connect your Apple Watch to its magnetic charging cable. Make sure the charger is plugged into a working power outlet or USB port. Let it charge for at least 30 minutes. Then, try pressing and holding the side button again to turn it on. If the battery was completely empty, the screen may remain black for a several minutes before showing the charging icon or Apple logo.
If charging doesn’t help, try a force restart while it is on the charger. Press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds to see if the Apple logo appears.
Should You Turn Off Your Apple Watch At Night?
This is a common question. For most users, there is no need to turn off your Apple Watch every night. The watch is designed for all-day and all-night wear, especially if you use it for sleep tracking. Turning it off nightly means you’ll miss sleep data, and you’ll have to wait for it to start up each morning.
However, there are a few good reasons to shut it down occasionally:
- If you won’t be wearing it for several days, turning it off conserves battery.
- If you are troubleshooting a software issue, a full shutdown and restart can help clear minor glitches.
- During air travel, you may be required to turn off electronic devices.
For daily use, simply using the charging period overnight is sufficient. The watch will restart itself periodically for software updates, so manual restarts aren’t usually necessary for maintenance.
Dealing With Water Lock Mode
If your watch is in Water Lock mode (activated automatically during water-based workouts or manually from Control Center), the screen will not respond to normal touches. This prevents accidental inputs while wet.
To disable Water Lock and unlock the screen, rotate the Digital Crown. You will feel haptic feedback and hear a series of beeps that expel water from the speaker. Once unlocked, you can then use the standard method to turn off the watch if needed. Trying to shut down while Water Lock is active will not work because the touchscreen is temporarily disabled.
Advanced Power Management
Beyond simply turning the device off, you can manage power in other ways to extend battery life or prepare the watch for storage.
Unpairing And Erasing Your Apple Watch
If you are giving away, selling, or trading in your Apple Watch, you should properly unpair it from your iPhone. This process automatically creates a backup of your watch and then erases all content and settings, returning it to factory condition.
To unpair:
- Keep your watch and iPhone close together.
- Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
- Go to “My Watch” > “All Watches”.
- Tap the “i” icon next to the watch you want to unpair.
- Tap “Unpair Apple Watch” and confirm.
After unpairing, the watch will be erased and restarted, appearing as a new device. You can then safely turn it off before passing it to its new owner.
Long-Term Storage Tips
If you plan to store your Apple Watch for a month or longer, follow these steps to preserve battery health:
- Fully charge the watch to between 80% and 100%.
- Turn the watch off completely using the side button method.
- Store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Avoid storing it in a fully discharged state, as this can damage the battery.
If stored for a very long time, the battery will still slowly discharge. It’s a good idea to check the charge level every few months and give it a top-up if it falls below 20%.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Turn Off My Apple Watch Without The Side Button?
If the physical side button is broken, you have two main options. First, use the Apple Watch app on your paired iPhone to send a shutdown command via the General settings. Second, you can let the battery drain completely, which will eventualy turn it off. However, for a broken button, a visit to Apple Support for repair is the best long-term solution.
What Is The Difference Between Power Off And Restart?
Powering off is a complete shutdown. The device’s operating system closes all processes and the hardware powers down. A restart (or reboot) involves powering off and then immediately turning the device back on. A restart is often used to clear software issues, while a full power off is for storage or when you don’t plan to use the device for a while.
Can I Turn Off My Apple Watch During A Workout?
Yes, you can, but it will pause and save the workout data up to that point. To do it, press and hold the side button during the workout to bring up the power menu, then slide to power off. When you turn it back on, you can resume the workout from the Workout app, but there will be a gap in the data.
Why Does My Apple Watch Turn On By Itself?
If your watch turns on unexpectedly while charging, it’s likely because you moved it or the charger. The motion can sometimes trigger the screen to wake. Also, if you have an alarm set or receive a significant notification while it’s charging, the screen may light up briefly. This is normal behavior and not a cause for concern.
How Do I Conserve Battery Life Without Turning It Off?
To save battery during the day, you can enable Theater Mode (from Control Center) to silence notifications and keep the screen dark. Reducing screen brightness, turning off Always-On Display (on compatible models), and limiting background app refresh in the iPhone Watch app settings can also make a significant difference in daily battery usage.