How to Turn Off Your Apple Watch

Jason Anderson

Apple Watch Series 10

Turning off your Apple Watch is a simple task that can help conserve battery life or troubleshoot issues. To power down your Apple Watch, press and hold the side button until the power off slider appears, then swipe it to the right. This process takes just a few seconds and can be done anytime you need to shut down your device.

While Apple Watches are designed for all-day use, there are times when you might want to turn yours off. Maybe you’re going on a long trip and won’t be using it, or perhaps you’re trying to fix a software glitch. Whatever the reason, knowing how to power off your watch is a useful skill for any Apple Watch owner.

Remember that when your Apple Watch is off, it won’t track your activity or send you notifications. To turn it back on, simply press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo. This quick process will have your watch up and running again in no time.

Ways To Turn Off Apple Watch

It’s easier than you might think! Here’s how to power off your Apple Watch:

Method 1: Using the Side Button

  1. Press and Hold: Press and hold the side button on your Apple Watch (the button located below the Digital Crown).
  2. Wait for the Sliders: Keep holding the button until you see the “Power Off” slider and other options appear on the screen.
  3. Slide to Power Off: Drag the “Power Off” slider to the right. Your Apple Watch will turn off.

Method 2: Through the Settings Menu

  1. Open Settings: Press the Digital Crown to go to your app screen, then tap on the “Settings” app (it looks like a gear).
  2. Go to General: Scroll down in the Settings menu and tap on “General”.
  3. Select Shut Down: Scroll down to the bottom of the General menu and tap on “Shut Down”.
  4. Slide to Confirm: Drag the “Power Off” slider to the right to turn off your Apple Watch.

Important Notes:

  • Turning On: To turn your Apple Watch back on, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
  • Force Restart: If your Apple Watch is unresponsive and you can’t turn it off using the methods above, you can force a restart. To do this, press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds, until the Apple logo appears. (Only do this if absolutely necessary.)

That’s it! You now know how to power off your Apple Watch whenever you need to.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold the side button to access the power off slider
  • Turning off your watch can help save battery or fix issues
  • Restarting is easy by holding the side button until the logo appears

Preparing to Turn Off Your Apple Watch

Before turning off your Apple Watch, you need to take a few steps. These steps will help you safely power down your device.

Understanding the Apple Watch Buttons

The Apple Watch has two main buttons: the Digital Crown and the side button. The Digital Crown is the round dial on the side of the watch. It helps you scroll and zoom. The side button is flat and sits below the Digital Crown.

To turn off your Apple Watch, you’ll use the side button. This button has other functions too, like showing your recent apps or calling emergency services. But for now, we’ll focus on its power-off function.

Ensuring Your Apple Watch Is Not Charging

Make sure your Apple Watch isn’t connected to its charger. If it’s charging, you won’t be able to turn it off. Look for the green lightning bolt icon on your watch face. If you see it, your watch is still charging.

To disconnect, gently pull the charging cable away from the back of your watch. The magnetic charger should easily come off. Once removed, your watch will run on battery power.

Checking Battery Life Before Powering Off

It’s smart to check your battery life before turning off your Apple Watch. This helps you know if you need to charge it soon.

To check the battery:

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the watch face
  2. Look for the battery percentage

If the battery is low, consider charging it before turning it off. This ensures your watch will have power when you turn it back on later.

A full battery can last up to 18 hours on most Apple Watch models. The Apple Watch Ultra can last even longer, up to 36 hours.

Steps to Power Off Your Apple Watch

Turning off your Apple Watch is a simple process. It involves using the side button to access the power options and then sliding to shut down the device.

Using the Side Button to Access the Power Off Slider

To begin powering off your Apple Watch, locate the side button. This is the oval-shaped button below the Digital Crown on the right side of the watch. Press and hold this button for a few seconds until you see the power off slider appear on the screen. The side button serves multiple functions, but in this case, it’s used to bring up the power options.

If you don’t see the power off slider right away, keep holding the button. The screen may change a couple of times before the slider shows up.

Sliding to Power Off

Once the power off slider is visible, you’re ready to turn off your Apple Watch. Look for the slider that says “Power Off” at the top of the screen. To shut down your watch, use your finger to swipe this slider from left to right. Make sure to slide it all the way across.

After you swipe, the Apple Watch screen will go dark. This means it’s turning off. Wait a few seconds, and your watch will be fully powered down. You’ll know it’s off when the screen stays black and doesn’t respond to taps or button presses.

Advanced Power Options and Features

Apple Watch offers several advanced features to manage power and access important functions quickly. These options can help extend battery life and provide quick access to emergency services when needed.

Utilizing Theater Mode to Save Battery

Theater Mode turns off the display and mutes sounds on your Apple Watch. This feature helps save battery life and prevents distractions in dark, quiet places. To use Theater Mode:

  1. Swipe up from the bottom of the watch face
  2. Tap the masks icon
  3. The screen will dim and a mask icon will appear at the top

To wake the screen, tap it or press the Digital Crown. Theater Mode stays on until you turn it off. This mode is great for movies, plays, or anytime you want to conserve battery.

Activating Emergency SOS

Emergency SOS lets you quickly call for help and alert your emergency contacts. To use it:

  1. Press and hold the side button
  2. Drag the Emergency SOS slider
  3. The watch will count down and then call emergency services

You can also set up your watch to start Emergency SOS when you rapidly press the side button five times. This feature works even if your watch is locked.

Accessing Medical ID

Medical ID stores important health info that first responders can access in an emergency. To set it up:

  1. Open the Health app on your iPhone
  2. Tap your profile picture
  3. Tap Medical ID
  4. Add your medical info

To view Medical ID on your watch, press and hold the side button, then tap Medical ID. First responders can access this info even if your watch is locked.

Contacting Apple Support for Assistance

If you need help with your Apple Watch, you can contact Apple Support directly from your device. Here’s how:

  1. Open the Apple Support app on your watch
  2. Choose a topic or tap “More Products”
  3. Select “Apple Watch”
  4. Pick an issue and follow the steps

You can also chat with a support agent, schedule a call, or find nearby service options. The app provides quick access to troubleshooting guides and support articles too.