To turn off an Apple Watch, you normally use the side button and a power slider on the screen. Here’s the quick version plus an extra method if you prefer using Settings.

Quick Scoop

Method 1: Using the side button (fastest)

  1. Wake the screen (tap it, raise your wrist, or press the Digital Crown).
  2. Press and hold the side button (the long button just below the Digital Crown).
  3. Keep holding until you see the power menu appear.
  4. Tap the power icon in the top‑right if needed, then swipe the “Power Off” slider to the right.
  5. To turn it back on, press and hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo.

This works on recent models like Series 5–10 and Apple Watch Ultra/Ultra 2, as well as older series.

Method 2: Using the Settings menu

  1. Press the Digital Crown to open the app grid/list.
  2. Open Settings on the watch.
  3. Go to General.
  4. Scroll to the very bottom and tap Shutdown.
  5. When the power slider appears, swipe “Power Off” to the right.
  6. To turn it back on, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo shows.

If the screen is frozen

If your Apple Watch is unresponsive and you can’t get to the power slider, you can force restart:

  • Press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown together.
  • Keep holding until the Apple logo appears, then release.

Use this only when the normal power‑off method doesn’t work, since it’s a hard reboot.

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Learn how to turn off an Apple Watch step by step using the side button or the Settings app, plus how to force restart if it’s frozen, for all recent Apple Watch models.