Sometimes, I just want to turn off my Apple Watch—maybe to save battery, fix a glitch, or just take a break. Whatever the reason, powering it down is simple, but the steps can vary depending on the model. Some versions have extra features that change how things work.
If my watch isn’t responding, shutting it off might not be enough. A restart or even a reset could be the better option. I’ve learned that knowing the right steps can save time and frustration. So, let me walk through the easiest ways to power down an Apple Watch.
Table of Contents
Turning Off My Apple Watch the Right Way
I don’t always need my Apple Watch on. Sometimes, I just want to power it down. Whether it’s an SE, Series 7, 8, 9, or Ultra, the process is simple.
Here’s how I do it:
- Press and hold the Side Button until the power menu appears.
- Swipe the Power Off slider to shut it down.
- Wait for the screen to go completely black. That’s when I know it’s off.
It only takes a few seconds, and my watch is powered down. If it doesn’t work, I know there are other ways to fix it.
Turning Off My Apple Watch Without the Guesswork
Sometimes, I just want to shut down my Apple Watch, whether to save battery or take a break. No matter the model—SE, Series 7, 8, 9, or Ultra—the steps are the same.
Here’s how I turn it off in seconds:
- Press and hold the Side Button until the power menu appears.
- Swipe the Power Off slider to shut it down.
- Wait for the screen to go completely black. That’s how I know it’s off.
That’s it. Quick and easy. If my watch doesn’t turn off, there’s always a backup plan.
Turning Off My Apple Watch Using Just My iPhone
I can’t power off my Apple Watch directly from my iPhone, but I have workarounds. If I need my watch to stop working, these tricks get the job done.
Here’s what I do:
- Unpair my Apple Watch – This disconnects it from my iPhone and erases everything. It’s like turning it off for good.
- Use Find My to put it in Lost Mode – This locks my watch, making it unusable until I turn it back on.
- Restart using iPhone settings – If a watchOS update is pending, a restart from my iPhone might do the trick.
While it’s not a true “power off,” these steps help when I can’t press the buttons myself.
Stuck? Here’s What I Do When My Apple Watch Won’t Turn Off
Sometimes, my Apple Watch just refuses to shut down. It could be frozen, glitchy, or even stuck because it’s charging. When that happens, I have a simple fix.
Here’s what might be causing the issue:
- Frozen screen – The watch isn’t responding to touch or buttons.
- Software glitch – A minor bug can mess things up.
- Charging – Some settings prevent shutdown while plugged in.
How I Force Restart My Apple Watch
If nothing works, I go for a force restart:
- Press and hold the Side Button + Digital Crown until I see the Apple logo.
- Wait for the watch to reboot. It takes a few seconds, then it’s back to normal.
That usually does the trick!
Resetting My Apple Watch When Nothing Else Works
If my Apple Watch is completely unresponsive, a reset might be my only option. This wipes everything and restores it to factory settings.
Here’s how I do it:
- Open Settings on my Apple Watch.
- Go to General > Reset.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Confirm the reset and wait for the watch to restart.
Once it’s done, my watch is like new. I’ll need to set it up again, but at least it works!
Unpairing My Apple Watch Before Switching Devices
When I get a new iPhone or plan to sell my watch, I always unpair it first. This keeps my data safe and makes sure the new user can set it up easily.
Here’s how I unpair my Apple Watch:
- Open the Watch app on my iPhone.
- Tap All Watches and select my watch.
- Tap Unpair Apple Watch.
- Wait for the process to complete.
Once it’s unpaired, my watch resets and is ready for a new setup. It’s quick, easy, and avoids any connection issues later.