If you’re wondering how to turn my Apple Watch on for the first time or after it has powered down, the process is straightforward. To turn on your Apple Watch, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
This simple action is all you need to get started. Whether you have a brand new watch or one that’s run out of battery, this guide will walk you through every step and troubleshoot any issues you might encounter.
We’ll cover different models, what to do if it won’t turn on, and how to proceed with setup.
How To Turn My Apple Watch On
The primary method for turning on any Apple Watch is consistent across all models, from the very first generation to the latest Apple Watch Series. The side button is your key to powering up the device.
Here is the detailed, step-by-step process:
- Locate the side button on your Apple Watch. It is the oblong button below the Digital Crown (the round dial).
- Press and hold the side button down. Do not just tap it; you need to maintain pressure.
- Continue holding the button. After a few seconds, you will feel a subtle vibration.
- Keep holding until you see the white Apple logo appear on the screen.
- Release the side button once the logo is visible. The watch will continue booting up.
The entire process typically takes between 10 to 30 seconds from holding the button to seeing the startup screen. If your watch was completely drained, it may need a minute on the charger before it will respond to this command.
Identifying Your Apple Watch Buttons
Knowing the layout of your watch is helpful, especially if you are new to the device. There are two primary physical controls on the side of your Apple Watch.
- The Digital Crown: This is the round, spinable dial on the side of the watch. It is used for scrolling, zooming, and as a home button. It is not used for turning the watch on.
- The Side Button: This is the longer, flat button located below the Digital Crown. This is the button you press and hold to turn the watch on, off, or to access the Control Center.
Pressing the side button once will open your Dock or recent apps. Remember, to power on, you must press and hold it.
What To Do If Your Apple Watch Does Not Turn On
Sometimes, pressing the side button doesn’t seem to work. If your Apple Watch won’t turn on, don’t worry. There are several common reasons and solutions to try before seeking professional help.
Follow these troubleshooting steps in order:
Step 1: Charge Your Apple Watch
The most common reason an Apple Watch won’t turn on is a completely depleted battery. The watch may not respond to any buttons if the battery is entirely empty.
- Connect your Apple Watch magnetic charging cable or charging dock to a power source.
- Place your Apple Watch on the charger. Ensure the magnets align and the watch sits flat.
- You should see a green lightning bolt symbol on the watch face if it is charging. If the screen is completely black, let it charge for at least 30 minutes.
- After charging for a while, try pressing and holding the side button again.
Step 2: Force Restart Your Apple Watch
If the watch has charge but is frozen or unresponsive, a force restart can help. This process is different from simply turning it on.
- Press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown at the same time.
- Continue holding them both for about 10 seconds.
- Release both buttons when you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.
This can resolve minor software glitches that prevent normal startup. It’s a good trick to know for any unresponsive behavior.
Step 3: Check Your Charging Equipment
If charging doesn’t seem to work, the problem might be with your accessories, not the watch itself.
- Try a different USB power adapter (the wall plug).
- Try a different USB port if you’re plugging into a computer.
- Inspect the charging cable for any visible damage, fraying, or debris on the magnetic connector. Clean the back of your watch and the charger with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- If possible, try a different Apple Watch charger to rule out a faulty cable.
Setting Up Your Apple Watch After Turning It On
Once you’ve successfully turned on your Apple Watch, you’ll be guided through the setup process. This is required for a new watch or one that has been erased.
The setup connects your watch to your iPhone and personalizes your settings.
- Bring your iPhone near your powered-on Apple Watch. A message should appear on your iPhone prompting you to start pairing.
- Tap “Continue” on your iPhone. If the message doesn’t appear, open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and tap “Start Pairing.”
- Center the animation that appears on your watch screen in your iPhone’s viewfinder. This pairs the two devices automatically. If you can’t use the camera, you can tap “Pair Manually” instead.
- Follow the on-screen instructions on both your iPhone and Apple Watch to set up settings like Activation Lock, wrist preference, and passcode.
- Wait for your watch and iPhone to sync. This can take several minutes to over an hour, depending on how much data is being transferred.
After setup is complete, your Apple Watch is ready to use. You can now install apps, customize watch faces, and start tracking your activity.
Turning On Apple Watch Without IPhone
You can turn on and use an Apple Watch without an iPhone, but functionality will be limited. This is sometimes called “Family Setup” for watches meant for a family member who doesn’t have their own iPhone.
To power on a watch for this purpose:
- Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears, as usual.
- When you see the language selection screen, you can begin setup directly on the watch.
- You will need to connect to a Wi-Fi network and may need the family organizer’s iPhone nearby to complete the configuration for a cellular model.
For a standard watch that was previously paired, you can turn it on without your iPhone nearby, but you won’t receive new notifications or messages until it reconnects via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.
Powering On Different Apple Watch Models
The core “press and hold the side button” instruction applies to every single Apple Watch model ever released. However, there are slight visual differences in the hardware.
- Apple Watch Series 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and SE: The side button is consistently located below the Digital Crown. The shape and size of the watch case may change, but the button placement remains logical and intuitive.
- Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2: These models have a more prominent, bright orange side button for easy access. It is still located below the larger Digital Crown, and you press and hold it to power on.
No matter which model you own, if you find the side button, you can turn it on. The consistency across Apple’s product line makes this easy to remember.
Common Mistakes When Trying To Turn On Apple Watch
New users sometimes make simple errors that prevent the watch from powering on. Avoiding these mistakes can save you time and frustration.
- Pressing the Digital Crown: The Digital Crown is for navigation, not power. Holding it down will not turn on the watch.
- Tapping the side button: A quick press opens the Dock. You must press and hold for several seconds.
- Not charging a dead battery: If the battery is at 0%, it must charge for a significant period before it will respond to the side button.
- Using a damaged charger: A faulty cable or power adapter will not deliver the necessary power to revive a dead watch.
How To Conserve Apple Watch Battery Life
To avoid frequent situations where your watch dies and needs to be turned back on, you can adopt habits that extend its daily battery life. Most models are designed to last about 18 hours on a single charge.
Here are some effective tips:
- Lower screen brightness in the Settings app or Control Center.
- Enable Theater Mode (the two masks icon) when you don’t need the screen to activate with wrist raises.
- Use a simpler watch face with fewer complications that update frequently.
- Turn off Always-On Display if your model has it and you don’t need the feature. This can make a significant difference.
- Manage app notifications to reduce unnecessary alerts that light up the screen.
- Limit background app refresh for non-essential applications.
By following these tips, you can often get through a full day and night without needing to recharge, meaning you’ll rarely need to figure out how to turn it back on from a dead state.
When To Contact Apple Support
If you have tried all troubleshooting steps—charging with a verified cable and adapter, force restarting, and checking for physical damage—and your Apple Watch still shows no signs of life, it may have a hardware issue.
Consider contacting Apple Support in these situations:
- The watch remains completely black and unresponsive after charging overnight with a known-good charger.
- You see a red exclamation mark or a temperature warning symbol on the screen.
- The watch feels unusually hot to the touch during charging.
- There is visible physical damage to the screen, casing, or buttons that correlates with the failure to turn on.
You can visit the Apple Support website to start a service request or chat with an advisor. If your watch is under warranty or you have AppleCare+, repairs may be covered at little to no cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It Take For An Apple Watch To Turn On?
From the moment you press and hold the side button, a standard startup takes 10 to 30 seconds. If the watch was fully drained and is now charging, it may need up to 30 minutes of charging before it has enough power to even display the Apple logo and begin the boot process. Patience is key with a deeply discharged battery.
Can I Turn On My Apple Watch With My IPhone?
No, you cannot remotely power on an Apple Watch from an iPhone. The initial physical button press must be performed directly on the watch itself. Once the watch is on and paired, you can use your iPhone to adjust settings, install apps, and manage the device, but the primary power control remains the side button on the watch.
Why Won’t My Apple Watch Turn On Even When Charging?
If your Apple Watch is on the charger but won’t turn on, first ensure it’s charging properly. Look for the green lightning bolt. If it’s there, let it charge longer—a completely dead battery needs time. If there’s no charging icon, the problem is likely the cable, power adapter, or charging port. Try different combinations of these elements. If it still fails, a force restart (holding side button and Digital Crown) while on the charger is the next step.
What Is The Difference Between Restarting And Turning On My Apple Watch?
Turning on your Apple Watch refers to powering it up from a completely off state. Restarting (or rebooting) means the watch is already on, and you are powering it down and then back on again to refresh the system. You restart by going to Settings > General > Shut Down, then turning it back on with the side button. A force restart is for when the watch is frozen and won’t respond to normal inputs.
My Apple Watch Screen Is Black But Vibrates. Is It On?
Yes, if your Apple Watch vibrates for notifications but the screen remains black, the watch is on but the display may be disabled or broken. Check if you have activated Theater Mode or Water Lock, which keep the screen dark. Try pressing the Digital Crown or side button to wake the screen. If it still doesn’t light up, a force restart may resolve a software glitch. If not, the display could have a hardware issue.