How to Turn Off Apple Watch

What to Know

  • You can turn off Apple Watches by pressing and holding the Side button until a menu pops up, tapping the turn off button in the top right corner, and using the Power Off slider.
  • Learning how to turn off an Apple Watch is useful to solve glitches and preserve battery life in an emergency.

Switching off Apple Watches can preserve their battery in an emergency or help users take a break from technology. I'll teach you how to turn the Apple Watch off, no matter what model you have. Turning the watch off and on restarts your Apple Watch and can help troubleshoot glitches.

How to Power Off Apple Watch

First-time users definitely want to learn how to shut off Apple Watches to preserve battery life in emergency situations and to troubleshoot common glitches. For more Apple Watch tips, sign up for our free Tip of the Day! Here’s how to turn Apple Watch off:

  1. Press and hold the Side button until a menu comes out.

    Press and hold the Side button until a menu comes out.
    Image courtesy of Apple.com
  2. Tap the turn off icon in the top right of your display.

    Tap the turn off icon in the top right of your display.
  3. Slide your finger from left to right over the Power Off slider.

    Slide your finger from left to right over the Power Off slider.

Now you know how to shut down Apple Watches of any model! Learning how to turn off your Apple Watch is important because restarting your watch by turning it off and then back on is a great way to troubleshoot glitches. Next, learn what to do if you forget your Apple Watch passcode.

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FAQ

  • What should I do if my Apple Watch won't turn on? If your Apple Watch is turned off and won't turn back on, the first step is to place it on a charger and wait a few minutes. Other Apple Watch won’t turn on troubleshooting tips include turning off Low Power Mode, force quitting your device, and toggling Screen Curtain off.  
  • How do I close an app on the Apple Watch? If a specific app is acting up, you may want to close the Apple Watch app rather than the entire watch. Press the button on your Digital Crown twice and swipe left over the app you wish to force quit.
  • How do I power off my iPhone? Just like your Apple Watch, turning off your iPhone requires you to press your Side button and your Volume up button simultaneously, then use the slider to Power Off your phone.
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Author Details

Olena Kagui's picture

Author Details

Olena Kagui

Olena Kagui is a Feature Writer at iPhone Life. In the last 10 years, she has been published in dozens of publications internationally and won an excellence award. Since joining iPhone Life in 2020, she has written how-to articles as well as complex guides about Apple products, software, and apps. Olena grew up using Macs and exploring all the latest tech. Her Maui home is the epitome of an Apple ecosystem, full of compatible smart gear to boot. Olena’s favorite device is the Apple Watch Ultra because it can survive all her adventures and travels, and even her furbabies.