To turn off your phone, the method depends entirely on your specific model. For most modern iPhones and Android devices, you press and hold a combination of hardware buttons, but if that doesn't work, you can also use a software menu or voice command.
How to turn off an iPhone
Apple provides two hardware methods and two software paths for powering your phone on and off. The button combination you use depends on whether your iPhone has Face ID or a Home button.
- iPhone with Face ID: Press and hold the side button and either volume button simultaneously until the Power Off slider appears. Drag the slider to turn off the phone.
- iPhone with Home button: Press and hold the side button until the Power Off slider appears.
If the hardware buttons are not responding, use the software path: go to Settings > General > Shut Down and drag the slider. Alternatively, open Control Center, touch and hold the power icon in the top-right corner, then drag the slider.
How to turn off a Google Pixel phone
The documented steps for a Google Pixel depend on the model generation. The button combination changed with the Pixel 6 series.
- Pixel 5a and earlier: Press and hold the Power button for a few seconds, then tap Power off.
- Pixel 6 and later: Press and hold the Power button and the volume up button for a few seconds, then tap Power off. If pressing and holding the Power button should bring up the power menu, go to Settings and change the relevant power-button behavior there.
If pressing and holding the Power button on a Pixel 6 or later opens Google Assistant instead of the power menu, you can change this behavior in Settings to restore the classic power-off option.
How to turn off a Samsung Galaxy phone
Samsung offers three documented ways to turn off a Galaxy phone: hardware buttons, Quick Settings, and Bixby Voice.
- Button method: Press and hold the Side button and Volume down button together. Tap Power off, then tap Power off again to confirm. On Samsung Galaxy phones, if the device has a dedicated Power button instead of a Side button, press and hold that button and follow the same confirmation.
- Quick Settings method: Swipe down with two fingers from the top of the screen to open Quick Settings. Tap the Power icon, then tap Power off, and tap Power off again to confirm. Samsung also documents a two-finger swipe down > Power icon > Power off > Power off path.
- Bixby Voice method: After setting up Bixby Voice, press and hold the Side button to launch Bixby. Say “Turn off the phone” to initiate the shutdown. Bixby can power off the phone after Bixby Voice is set up: press and hold the Side button to call Bixby, then say “Turn off the phone”.
What to do if the standard steps do not work
If the screen is frozen or the buttons are broken, the standard button and software methods may fail. Removing the battery is not a documented step for current iPhone, Pixel, or Samsung Galaxy models, and attempting it can damage the device. If the phone is unresponsive, your next step is to seek professional assistance from a certified technician or the manufacturer’s support service, who can safely diagnose and resolve the issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the button combination to turn off an iPhone with Face ID?
Press and hold the side button and either volume button at the same time until the Power Off slider appears, then drag it.
What is the button combination to turn off an iPhone with a Home button?
How do I turn off a Google Pixel 5a compared to a Pixel 7?
On a Pixel 5a and earlier, press and hold just the Power button. On a Pixel 6 and later, press and hold both the Power button and the volume up button.
How do I turn off a Samsung Galaxy phone using the buttons?
Press and hold the Side button and Volume down button together, then tap Power off and confirm by tapping Power off again. If the power button behavior differs by model, follow the model-specific steps above.
Can I turn off my phone if the screen is frozen?
If the screen is frozen and the standard button combination does not work, you cannot safely remove the battery on most modern phones. Seek professional help from a repair service or the manufacturer.
Related reading: How To Power Off My Android Phone and How To Turn Off Google Phone.
