Turning off your Apple Watch is a simple process that takes just a few seconds to complete. If you’re looking to save battery, avoid distractions, or just power down your device for any reason, here’s a quick overview of how to turn off your Apple Watch.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Turn Off Apple Watch
Before we dive into the steps, it’s worth noting that turning off your Apple Watch can help with troubleshooting, conserve battery life when not in use, and is necessary before performing certain tasks like a hard reset.
Step 1: Press and hold the side button
Press and hold the side button on your Apple Watch until you see the power off slider.
The side button is the oval-shaped button located below the Digital Crown on the right side of your Apple Watch. When you press and hold this button, a screen will appear with several options including the power off slider.
Step 2: Drag the power off slider
Drag the power off slider to the right to turn off your Apple Watch.
Once the slider appears on the screen, simply swipe it from left to right using your finger. Your Apple Watch will then begin to power down, and the screen will eventually go completely dark.
After you’ve successfully turned off your Apple Watch, it will no longer display the time, track your activity, or receive notifications until you turn it back on.
Tips for Turning Off Your Apple Watch
- Make sure your Apple Watch is not currently charging, as it cannot be turned off while connected to a power source.
- If your Apple Watch is unresponsive, try a force restart by pressing and holding both the side button and Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds until you see the Apple logo.
- Don’t turn off your Apple Watch if you’re in the middle of a software update, as this could cause issues with your device.
- If you plan on not using your Apple Watch for an extended period, powering it off can help preserve battery life.
- Remember to turn your Apple Watch back on by pressing and holding the side button until you see the Apple logo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I turn off my Apple Watch from my iPhone?
No, you cannot turn off your Apple Watch from your iPhone. The only way to power down your Apple Watch is through the device itself.
Will my alarms still go off if my Apple Watch is turned off?
No, if your Apple Watch is turned off, any alarms you’ve set will not go off. You’ll need to keep your Apple Watch powered on for alarms to work.
What if my Apple Watch won’t turn off?
If your Apple Watch won’t turn off, try forcing a restart by pressing and holding both the side button and Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds. If the issue persists, you may need to contact Apple Support for further assistance.
Will turning off my Apple Watch disconnect it from my iPhone?
Turning off your Apple Watch will temporarily disconnect it from your iPhone. However, once you turn your Apple Watch back on and it’s within range, it should automatically reconnect to your iPhone.
Can I still use Apple Pay if my Apple Watch is off?
No, Apple Pay requires your Apple Watch to be turned on and authenticated in order to make payments. If your watch is off, you won’t be able to use Apple Pay.
Summary
- Press and hold the side button
- Drag the power off slider
Conclusion
Turning off your Apple Watch is a straightforward process, but it’s a step that many users might overlook. Whether you’re saving battery life or troubleshooting an issue, knowing how to power down your smartwatch is essential. Just hold down that side button, swipe the slider, and you’re good to go. But remember, when your Apple Watch is off, it’s not tracking your fitness, notifying you of messages, or doing all those smart things it’s meant to do. So, make sure to turn it back on when you’re ready to be reconnected to your digital world. And hey, if you’re ever in doubt, just come back to this article for a quick refresher on how to turn off Apple Watch.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.