If you need to know how to turn off.apple.watch, you’re in the right place. To conserve battery, you can turn off your Apple Watch through the Settings menu. This is a simple process, but many users are more familiar with just putting their watch to sleep. There are several reasons why you might want to fully power it down, and a few different methods to do it.
This guide covers every way to switch off your Apple Watch. We’ll also explain when a shutdown is necessary and how to handle situations where the watch isn’t responding.
How To Turn Off.apple.watch
The standard method for turning off your Apple Watch works on all models, from the earliest Series to the latest Ultra. It’s the same whether you have a cellular or GPS-only version. This process is intentional and requires a couple of steps to prevent accidental shutdowns.
Here is the primary method you should use.
Step By Step Shutdown Process
Follow these instructions to properly power down your device.
- Press and hold the side button on your Apple Watch. This is the elongated button below the Digital Crown.
- Continue holding the side button until you see the sliders appear on the screen. This usually takes about two seconds.
- Tap the “Power Off” slider icon on the right side of the screen.
- Drag the “Power Off” slider all the way to the right with your finger. Your watch screen will go black as it shuts down completely.
Once the screen is dark, your Apple Watch is off. To turn it back on, simply press and hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo appear. It may take a minute or so to restart.
Using The Settings App For Shutdown
An alternative method exists within the Settings app. This can be useful if the side button on your watch is not functioning correctly or if you prefer navigating through menus.
Here is how to do it.
- Tap the Digital Crown to open the app grid or list view on your watch face.
- Find and open the “Settings” app. It looks like a grey gear icon.
- Scroll down and select “General.”
- Scroll to the bottom and tap “Shut Down.”
- You will see the same “Power Off” slider. Drag it to the right to turn off your watch.
This method achieves the exact same result as using the side button. It just takes a few more taps to reach the shutdown option.
What To Do If The Slider Does Not Appear
Sometimes, the slider might not appear immediately when you hold the side button. If this happens, ensure you are holding the button long enough. Release the button and try again, holding it firmly for a full three to four seconds. If the problem persists, your watch may need a force restart, which we will cover later.
Reasons To Power Off Your Apple Watch
You don’t need to turn off your Apple Watch every night. It’s designed to be worn and used continuously. However, there are specific situations where a full shutdown is the best course of action.
Conserving Battery During Storage
If you plan not to use your Apple Watch for an extended period, such as a week or more, turning it off is wise. This prevents the battery from draining completely, which can harm its long-term health. A stored lithium-ion battery is best kept around 50% charge, but turning the device off is the key first step.
Troubleshooting Software Issues
Like any computer, your Apple Watch can occasionally experience software glitches. A full power cycle—turning it off and then on again—can resolve minor issues. This includes problems like:
- Apps freezing or crashing repeatedly.
- Bluetooth connectivity problems with your iPhone.
- Unresponsive taps or swipes on the screen.
- Unexplained rapid battery drain.
A restart clears the temporary memory and gives the operating system a fresh start.
Before Traveling On A Flight
While not always mandatory, some airlines request that all electronic devices be powered down during certain phases of flight. Turning off your Apple Watch complies with this request and ensures it isn’t searching for signals or networks while in airplane mode isn’t sufficient for the rules.
How To Force Restart Your Apple Watch
If your Apple Watch becomes completely unresponsive—the screen is black or frozen, and it won’t respond 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 restart.
A force restart does not erase any data or settings. It is a safe procedure for dealing with a frozen device.
Force Restart Instructions For All Models
The steps are the same for all Apple Watch models, including the SE and Ultra.
- Press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown at the same time.
- Keep holding both buttons for at least 10 seconds.
- Release both buttons when you see the Apple logo appear on the screen.
Your watch will then go through its normal startup sequence. This process can take a couple minutes. Once it finishes, you should be back at your watch face with full functionality restored.
If the Apple logo does not appear after 15 seconds, your battery may be completely depleted. Connect it to its charger and let it charge for at least 30 minutes before trying the force restart again.
Understanding The Difference: Sleep Vs. Power Off
It’s important to distinguish between putting your Apple Watch to sleep and turning it completely off. They serve different purposes and have different effects on battery life and functionality.
What Happens In Sleep Mode
When you lower your wrist or press the Digital Crown once, your Apple Watch enters a low-power sleep state. The display turns off to save battery, but the watch remains fully on in the background. It can still:
- Track your heart rate and movement for activity rings.
- Receive notifications and alerts from your paired iPhone.
- Run background app refreshes.
- Play audio if you have something like a podcast paused.
Sleep mode is the default state when you are not actively looking at or interacting with your watch. It’s designed for all-day use.
What Happens When Powered Off
When you turn your Apple Watch off, it enters a true powered-down state. All functions cease. It cannot:
- Tell time or track any health metrics.
- Receive notifications, calls, or messages.
- Connect to your iPhone or a Wi-Fi network.
- Play music or run any apps.
It is essentially inert until you press the side button to turn it back on. This is why you only need to do it for specific reasons, not daily.
Managing Battery Life Effectively
Instead of frequently turning your watch off, you can use built-in features to extend battery life during your day. This gives you the benefit of a functioning device while still saving power.
Enable Power Reserve Mode
Power Reserve is a special mode that shuts down all features except the basic time display. It is for emergencies when your battery is critically low and you need the watch to last many more hours.
To enable Power Reserve:
- Swipe up on your watch face to open Control Center.
- Tap the battery percentage icon.
- Drag the “Power Reserve” slider to the right.
In this mode, your watch only shows the time. You must press the side button to see it. To exit Power Reserve, you need to press and hold the side button to restart the watch, just like turning it on from a full shutdown.
Use Theater Mode
Theater Mode is excellent for saving power in situations where you don’t need the screen to light up. It silences sounds and prevents the screen from turning on when you raise your wrist. You can still tap the screen or press a button to check the time.
To turn on Theater Mode, swipe up to open Control Center and tap the two masks icon. This is perfect for movies, meetings, or nighttime.
Adjust Display And Workout Settings
Two of the biggest battery drains are the display and GPS during workouts. You can manage these.
- Reduce screen brightness in the Settings app under Display & Brightness.
- Set the “Wake Duration” to a shorter time, like 15 seconds.
- For workouts, if you don’t need precise route mapping, you can disable heart rate and GPS for certain workout types in the Watch app on your iPhone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about turning off the Apple Watch.
Does Turning Off Apple Watch Disconnect It From IPhone?
Yes, completely. When powered off, all connections are severed. When you turn it back on, it will automatically attempt to reconnect to your paired iPhone via Bluetooth. If it cannot find the iPhone, it may try to connect to a known Wi-Fi network.
How Do I Turn Off My Apple Watch Without The Side Button?
If the side button is broken, use the Settings app method described earlier. Go to Settings > General > Shut Down. If the watch is unresponsive and the button doesn’t work, you may need to let the battery drain completely until it powers itself off. Then, charge it to restart.
Why Won’t My Apple Watch Turn Off When I Slide The Power Off Button?
This is rare, but if dragging the slider does nothing, the software may be frozen. You should perform a force restart by holding both the side button and Digital Crown. After it restarts, try the standard shutdown procedure again.
Should I Turn Off My Apple Watch Every Night?
No, it is not necessary. Using the built-in Sleep Focus mode is a better option. It turns on Do Not Disturb and dims the watch face while still tracking your sleep if you use that feature. This uses far less battery than a full shutdown and restart cycle every day.
Can I Turn Off Apple Watch From My IPhone?
No, there is no direct remote shutdown function in the iPhone’s Watch app. You must perform the shutdown directly on the Apple Watch itself using either the side button or the Settings app. The iPhone app is for configuration, not direct power control.
Knowing how to turn off your Apple Watch properly is a useful skill for managing its battery and troubleshooting problems. Remember the standard method: hold the side button and drag the slider. For a frozen watch, use the force restart with both buttons. For daily savings, rely on Theater Mode and display adjustments instead of a full shutdown. With these tips, you can ensure your watch is ready when you need it and conserve power when you don’t.