This article explains how to turn off your Apple Watch. It also includes information on forcing a restart of the watch. This information applies to any generation of Apple Watch.

What to Know

  • Hold down the side button on the watch until the Power Off slider appears. Drag the slider to the right to power off the watch.If the watch is frozen or won’t turn off, force restart it and then try to power it off again.To force restart, press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds. Release them when you see the Apple logo.

How to Turn Off Your Apple Watch

Apple Watches are in constant motion, with its users draining every ounce of battery life to track steps, use apps, get notifications and alerts, and make calls. Still, there are times you may want to power down your favorite wearable.

Only a few steps are involved when you power down your Apple Watch.

  • Hold down the side button until the Power Off slider appears.
  • Depending on your Apple Watch version, you may also see an Emergency SOS or Medical ID option. Make sure not to tap these unless you’re experiencing an emergency.
  • Drag the slider to the right to Power Off your Apple Watch. To turn the watch on again, hold down the side button until the Apple logo appears.
  • This process won’t work if your phone is actively charging.

Force Restart an Apple Watch

If your Apple Watch isn’t responding, you may need to force it to restart before you power it down. This is also a troubleshooting step to try if your device isn’t charging when placed on the magnetic charger.

Hold down the side button until the Power Off slider appears.

Depending on your Apple Watch version, you may also see an Emergency SOS or Medical ID option. Make sure not to tap these unless you’re experiencing an emergency.

Drag the slider to the right to Power Off your Apple Watch. To turn the watch on again, hold down the side button until the Apple logo appears.

This process won’t work if your phone is actively charging.

  • Press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds.
  • Release the buttons when you see the Apple logo, which means the device is restarting. You should now be able to power down the device.
  • Apple warns that you should never force restart your device when it’s in the middle of an update. If the Apple Watch is updating, you’ll see the Apple logo and progress wheel. Wait for an update to finish before powering off or restarting your Apple Watch.

Press and hold both the side button and Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds.

Release the buttons when you see the Apple logo, which means the device is restarting. You should now be able to power down the device.

Apple warns that you should never force restart your device when it’s in the middle of an update. If the Apple Watch is updating, you’ll see the Apple logo and progress wheel. Wait for an update to finish before powering off or restarting your Apple Watch.

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