To turn off your Google phone, press and hold the power button until the power menu appears, then tap "Power off." This is the primary method for physically powering down a Google Pixel or any Android device.
How to turn off your Google phone
The most direct way to shut down your device is using the hardware power button. This works for all Google Pixel phones and most Android devices.
Power off using the power button
- Locate the power button on the side of your phone.
- Press and hold the power button until the power menu appears on the screen.
- Tap "Power off" to begin the shutdown process.
Your device will turn off completely. This method is useful for conserving battery, troubleshooting issues, or when you need to perform a full shutdown.
Use airplane mode as an alternative
If you want to limit connectivity without fully powering your phone on and off, airplane mode is a useful alternative. It disables cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth while allowing you to continue using other apps and features.
To turn on airplane mode from Quick Settings, swipe down from the top of the screen and tap the airplane icon. You can also enable it through the Settings menu:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Network & internet.
- Tap Airplane mode and turn it on.
On some Android phones, the menu path may be Settings > Connections > Airplane mode. For Google Fi users, turning airplane mode on and then off after about 30 seconds refreshes the phone's network connection. Android 4.2 and above devices are not allowed to switch Airplane Mode by apps, so such apps open Android Settings instead. For Google Fi app power-saving settings, the documented path is Settings > Apps > Google Fi > Battery > Unrestricted. Some phones put apps to 'Sleep' to save battery, and the app setting can interrupt connection behavior.
What to do if your phone is frozen
If your phone is unresponsive and won't power off using the regular method, you can perform a forced restart. Press and hold the power button and the volume down button simultaneously for several seconds. This forces the device to shut down and restart, which can resolve temporary software issues without losing any data.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off my Google phone erase any data or settings?
No. Powering off your phone simply shuts down the device. All your data, apps, and settings remain intact when you turn it back on.
Can I use voice commands to turn off my Google phone?
Yes, if your device supports it. Activate the voice assistant and say a command like "Turn off the phone" to power down the device.
Is it better to power off my phone or leave it on standby?
Powering off is recommended when you won't use the phone for an extended period, such as overnight or during travel. This conserves battery and keeps the device in optimal condition.
What if my phone still doesn't turn off after trying the forced restart?
If the forced restart doesn't work, the battery may be completely drained. Connect your phone to a charger and wait a few minutes before attempting to power it on again.
Related reading: How To Take A Screenshot On Google Phone.
