If you’re wondering how do you turn your apple watch off, you’re not alone. Turning off your Apple Watch completely is a straightforward process that conserves its battery when not in use. While you might usually just let it sleep, a full shutdown is sometimes needed.
This guide covers every method, from the standard way to force-restarting a frozen device. We’ll also explain the difference between turning it off and other modes like Power Reserve.
How Do You Turn Your Apple Watch Off
The primary method for shutting down your Apple Watch is simple and works on all models, from the latest Ultra to the original Series. It’s the same whether you have a cellular or GPS-only version. Here is the step-by-step process.
First, ensure your watch face is visible. If the screen is dark, tap it or raise your wrist to wake it up. You need to see the watch face or an app to proceed.
Next, press and hold the side button. This is the oblong button located below the Digital Crown, not the crown itself. Hold it down firmly.
After a few seconds, you will see the sliders for Power Off and Medical ID appear on the screen. Keep holding the button until these sliders are fully visible.
Finally, drag the “Power Off” slider to the right with your finger. The screen will go black, and your Apple Watch will completely shut down. It’s that easy.
To turn your watch back on, simply press and hold the same side button again until you see the Apple logo appear. It may take a minute to restart fully.
What To Do If The Side Button Is Not Working
Sometimes, the side button might be stuck or unresponsive due to debris or a software glitch. Don’t worry, there are other solutions. First, try cleaning around the button gently with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.
If cleaning doesn’t help, you can use the Settings app on the watch itself to initiate a shutdown. This is a useful workaround that many users forget about.
- Press the Digital Crown to go to the app grid (Home Screen).
- Tap on the “Settings” app icon (it looks like a gear).
- Scroll down and tap “General.”
- Scroll to the bottom and tap “Shut Down.”
- Drag the “Power Off” slider that appears.
This method achieves the same result without needing the physical button. It’s a good trick to know for any situation where a button isn’t cooperating.
How To Force Restart Your Apple Watch
If your Apple Watch is frozen and not responding to touches or button presses, you cannot use the normal shutdown method. In this case, you need to perform a force restart. This is different from a normal shutdown and can help resolve temporary software issues.
Here is the correct way to force restart any Apple Watch model. The process is the same for all series.
- Press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown at the same time.
- Keep holding them both down for at least 10 seconds.
- Ignore any sliders or prompts that may flash on the screen initially; just keep holding.
- Release both buttons only when you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.
Your watch will then restart. This force restart does not erase any data or settings. It’s a safe troubleshooting step for an unresponsive device. After it boots up, you can then use the normal method to turn it off if you still need to.
Understanding Power Off Versus Power Reserve
Many people confuse turning the Apple Watch off with putting it into Power Reserve mode. They are very different states with distinct purposes. Knowing which one to use can save you time and battery life.
Power Reserve mode is a low-power state that keeps only the basic timekeeping function active. It turns off all other features to extend the remaining battery life for days. Your watch is still technically on, but in a very limited state.
How To Enter And Exit Power Reserve
To activate Power Reserve, you swipe up on the watch face to open Control Center. Then tap the battery percentage icon. You will see an option for “Power Reserve.” Tap it and confirm.
In this mode, your screen will go black. To see the time, you press the side button. The display will show only the time and a red battery icon at the top. No other apps or features will work.
To exit Power Reserve, you must force restart the watch by pressing and holding both the side button and Digital Crown until the Apple logo appears. It will then restart normally. Power Reserve is not the same as a full shutdown, which conserves power by turning the device off completely.
When To Shut Down Versus Use Power Reserve
Use a full shutdown when you know you won’t be wearing your watch for an extended period, like overnight charging or storing it in a drawer for a week. This saves the most battery as the device uses zero power.
Choose Power Reserve when your battery is critically low (below 10%) and you need to keep the time function alive until you can reach a charger. It’s an emergency mode, not a daily use feature. For daily charging, just place it on the charger; a full shutdown isn’t necessary.
Advanced Shutdown Scenarios And Troubleshooting
Sometimes, standard procedures don’t apply. You might have a watch with a passcode you forgot, or it’s paired to an old iPhone you no longer have. Here’s how to handle these special cases.
Turning Off A Locked Apple Watch
If your watch is locked with a passcode and you cannot remember it, you can still turn it off using the physical button method. The passcode only prevents access to features; it does not block the shutdown slider.
Press and hold the side button until the Power Off slider appears, then drag it. The watch will turn off. However, when you turn it back on, the passcode lock will still be there. To remove it permanently, you would need to erase the watch, which requires your paired iPhone or, if not available, a specific reset process.
What To Do If Your Watch Will Not Turn Off
In rare cases, the Apple Watch might not respond to the shutdown command. This is usually due to a software hang. Before you panic, try these steps in order.
- Ensure the screen is clean and dry; moisture can cause touch issues.
- Try the shutdown via the Settings app as described earlier.
- Perform a force restart (hold side button + Digital Crown). After it restarts, immediately try the normal shutdown method again.
- As a last resort, let the battery drain completely until it powers itself off. Then charge it and try again.
If none of these work, there may be a hardware problem with the buttons or display. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for assistance. Persistent software issues might require unpairing and re-pairing the watch from your iPhone, which creates a backup first.
Managing Shutdowns For Family Setup Watches
If you manage an Apple Watch for a family member through Family Setup, the process to turn it off is identical. The watch user or the family organizer can press and hold the side button to access the Power Off slider.
However, for watches managed this way, some controls are also available from the paired iPhone in the Watch app. The family organizer can’t remotely turn the watch off, but they can use the iPhone to guide the user through the steps if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about turning off an Apple Watch.
Is It Bad To Turn Off My Apple Watch Every Night?
It is not necessarily bad, but it is also not required. The watch is designed to be left on and charged nightly. Turning it off every night means you miss out on sleep tracking and any overnight updates. It also requires you to wait for it to boot up in the morning. For most people, leaving it on is the more convenient option.
Why Does My Apple Watch Turn On By Itself In My Bag?
The Apple Watch has a feature called “Wake on Wrist Raise.” Even when powered off, if the side button is pressed during movement (like in a bag), it will start the boot process. To prevent this, ensure it is fully shut down before storing it, and consider using a soft case or pouch to keep the button from being pressed accidentally.
How Do I Know If My Apple Watch Is Off Or Just Sleeping?
When the watch is sleeping (in sleep mode or the screen is dimmed), tapping the display or pressing a button will wake it instantly. When it is completely off, the screen is black and unresponsive. Pressing and holding the side button will cause the Apple logo to appear after several seconds, indicating it is booting up from a powered-off state.
Can I Turn Off My Apple Watch From My IPhone?
No, you cannot directly power down the Apple Watch from the iPhone. The iPhone’s Watch app allows you to manage settings, unpair, and erase the watch, but there is no “Shut Down” button. The physical shutdown must be performed on the watch itself. This is a security feature to prevent remote disabling.
Does Turning Off The Watch Stop Find My?
Yes, when the Apple Watch is completely powered off, it cannot be located using the Find My network. However, the last known location before it was shut down will be visible in the Find My app. If the watch is merely in Power Reserve mode, its location cannot be tracked either, as all wireless radios are disabled in that state.
Knowing how to properly turn off your Apple Watch gives you more control over its battery life and functionality. Whether you use the standard button press, the Settings menu, or a force restart, you can now handle any situation. Remember that a full shutdown is best for long-term storage, while Power Reserve is a helpful emergency feature for a low battery. With these steps, you can manage your device confidently and keep it running smoothly for years to come.