Powering off an Apple Watch works differently depending on the watch state. If the watch responds, use the standard hardware or Settings shutdown. If the watch is frozen or the touchscreen is damaged, use a force restart or a hold-and-release sequence. If the watch is on its charger, remove it before shutting down. The steps below cover each scenario with exact actions you can follow now.
Table of contents
Methods to Power Off
1. Standard Hardware Shutdown
Use this method when the watch is responsive and not connected to a charger. This is the main, Apple-documented way to turn the watch off.
- Remove the Apple Watch from its charger. The shutdown controls are disabled while charging.
- Press and hold the side button below the Digital Crown until the sliders appear on screen.
- On newer watchOS versions, tap the small power icon at the top right if you need to reveal the Power Off slider.
- Drag the Power Off slider to the right.
- Wait for the screen to go black. To turn the watch on later, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
If you later need to reboot, here’s how to restart, force restart, or reset an Apple Watch.
2. Software Shutdown via Settings
Use this when the touchscreen works and you prefer a menu option instead of holding the side button.
- Press the Digital Crown to open the Home screen and tap Settings.
- Tap General, then choose Shut Down.
- Drag the Power Off slider to the right.
You can also turn on Apple Watch once it has been powered down.
3. Force Restart for Unresponsive Devices
You may also need to force your device to restart. Do this only when the watch is unresponsive to touch or to the normal shutdown. A force restart reboots the device and does not erase your data.
- Remove the watch from its charger.
- 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 when the Apple logo appears. The watch will reboot to the lock screen or watch face.
Reserve hard reboots for true freezes. Rebooting repeatedly can hide an underlying problem that needs service.
When apps freeze, it often helps to close apps on Apple Watch before shutting down completely.
4. Powering Off with a Broken or Unresponsive Touchscreen
When the touchscreen will not register swipes, use a timing sequence with the watch buttons. Repair guides and user reports document this approach. Timing matters, so follow each step carefully.
- Press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown until the Apple logo appears.
- When the Apple logo shows, release only the Digital Crown.
- Keep holding the side button until the screen goes black and the watch powers off.
- If nothing happens, try the sequence again. Behavior can vary by watch series and watchOS version.
In such cases, you might also want to know how to lock the Apple Watch screen to prevent unintended touches.
5. Powering Off While Charging
watchOS blocks shutdown while the watch charges to protect updates and charging processes. Always disconnect the charger first.
- Disconnect the watch from the magnetic charger.
- Confirm the charging bolt icon is gone from the display.
- Use the Standard Hardware Shutdown or the Settings Shutdown method described above.
After Powering Off: Turning the Apple Watch Back On
Restarting follows the same action across models.
- Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
- Release the button and wait for the watch to boot to the lock screen or watch face.
- If battery is low, place the watch on its charger before trying to power it on.
If security is a concern, learn how to unlock Apple Watch after powering it back up.
Tips
- Remove the watch from its charger before trying to shut it down.
- Use Settings > General > Shut Down when touch works but the side button is unreliable.
- Reserve force restarts for true freezes to avoid masking hardware issues.
- If the Power Off slider is missing, tap the small power icon at the top right of the initial slider panel.
- Repeat the broken-screen hold-and-release sequence carefully if timing fails; behavior varies by model and watchOS version.
- If the watch remains stuck on the Apple logo after a force restart, contact Apple Support or a certified repair provider.
FAQs
No. A force restart reboots the device only. It does not erase your content.
watchOS disables shutdown while charging to protect update and charging integrity. Unplug the watch to access shutdown controls.
No. There is no native remote power-off from the paired iPhone. Power controls are on the watch itself.
Use Settings > General > Shut Down if touch works. If touch is broken but buttons work, use the broken-screen sequence. Otherwise seek service.
Perform a force restart first. If the device returns to the stuck state repeatedly, follow Apple Support guidance or contact service.
No. Low Power Mode changes background behavior but does not remove shutdown options.
Summary
- Standard shutdown: remove from charger, hold the side button, drag Power Off to the right.
- Settings shutdown: open Settings > General > Shut Down, then slide to power off.
- Force restart: remove from charger, hold side button and Digital Crown for 10 or more seconds until the Apple logo appears.
- Broken touchscreen: hold both buttons until the Apple logo, release the Crown, keep holding the side button until the screen goes black.
- Power on: hold the side button until the Apple logo appears; charge first if the battery is depleted.
Conclusion
You can power off your Apple Watch reliably by choosing the method that matches the device state. Use the standard or Settings shutdown when the watch responds. Use a force restart only for freezes and use the hold-and-release sequence when the touchscreen fails. Always remove the watch from its charger before attempting shutdown. If problems persist, contact Apple Support or a certified repair provider.
