To turn on a Galaxy phone, press and hold the Side button until the Samsung logo appears; for models with a dedicated Power button, press and hold that button instead. This is the official method for powering your phone on and off, and it applies whether you are setting up a new device or restarting an existing one.
Setting up your Galaxy phone
When you first receive a Galaxy phone, the initial setup process begins with powering it on. Samsung states that the Side button acts as the Power button for turning the device on and off, and you can use it to start the phone during initial use. The supported guidance shown in Samsung’s current help pages applies to Galaxy phones and tablets, with some steps differing by whether the device has a Side button or a dedicated Power button.
Insert the SIM card: Most Galaxy phones require a SIM card to be inserted. Locate the SIM card slot, usually found on the side or beneath the battery cover, and carefully insert the SIM card.
Select your language and region: Once your device has powered on, you will be prompted to choose your preferred language and your region.
Connect to Wi-Fi: To connect to a Wi-Fi network, go to the Settings menu and select Wi-Fi.
Sign in with your Google account: If you have a Google account, you can sign in to access your personal settings, contacts, emails, and other Google services.
Restore from a backup: If you have previously backed up your data from another Android device, you can restore it to your new Galaxy phone.
Set up biometric security: To enhance the security of your Galaxy phone, you can set up biometric authentication, such as fingerprint or facial recognition.
Customize your home screen and settings: Take some time to personalize your Galaxy phone by arranging your apps, widgets, and settings according to your preferences. You can also choose a wallpaper and customize the display settings.
Explore the Galaxy Store: The Galaxy Store offers a variety of apps, themes, and other content that can enhance your user experience.
Powering on your Galaxy phone
To power on your Galaxy phone, follow these steps based on your model’s button configuration:
- Locate the Side button (usually on the right edge) or the dedicated Power button on your model.
- Press and hold the Side button until the device turns on. On some support pages, Samsung says to keep holding the Side key until you feel a vibration and the Samsung logo appears.
- If the phone has a dedicated Power button, press and hold that button until the Power menu appears, then use the power controls shown.
- If the phone has been fully discharged, it may take up to 10 minutes for the charging indicator to appear. You may need to charge it for at least 1 hour before trying again.
Troubleshooting power issues
If your Galaxy phone will not turn on, Samsung provides verified troubleshooting steps to follow in order:
- Check that the phone, charger, and USB cable have no physical or liquid damage.
- Charge the phone for at least 1 hour using the cable that came with it and an appropriate or Samsung-certified charger.
- Press and hold the Power key or Side key and Volume down key together until the device restarts. Samsung says this can take up to 60 seconds.
- If the device enters Maintenance Boot Mode, use Volume up or Volume down to highlight Normal Boot, then press the Side key or Bixby key to select it.
- After charging, disconnect the charger and hold the Power key or Side key for 15 to 20 seconds to try powering on again.
If the phone still will not turn on after these steps, Samsung advises contacting the Support Center, Samsung Members App support, or a Samsung Service Center.
Battery draining quickly: If you notice that your Galaxy phone's battery drains unusually fast, there may be some apps or settings contributing to the issue. Start by checking which apps are using the most battery in the settings menu. Disable or uninstall any unnecessary apps that consume excessive power. Adjusting the display brightness, turning off features like Bluetooth and GPS when not in use, and limiting background app refresh can also help extend battery life.
Overheating: If your Galaxy phone gets too hot, it may shut down or exhibit performance issues. Overheating can be caused by prolonged usage, running multiple apps simultaneously, or exposure to high temperatures. To prevent overheating, avoid using your phone while charging, close unused apps, remove protective cases when charging, and keep your device in a well-ventilated area.
Random restarts: If your Galaxy phone restarts unexpectedly, it can disrupt your workflow and cause data loss. This issue is often caused by software glitches or conflicting apps. Start by checking for any available software updates and installing them if necessary. Additionally, try uninstalling recently installed apps that may be causing conflicts. If the problem continues, performing a factory reset can help resolve the issue, but make sure to back up your important data first.
Charging problems: If your Galaxy phone is not charging or does not recognize the charger, try the following steps. First, check if the charging port is clean and free from debris. Try using a different charger and cable to rule out any issues with the accessories. If the problem persists, try charging your device in a different power outlet or using a wireless charging pad if your phone supports it. If none of these steps work, it may be due to a faulty charging port, and professional assistance may be required.
Adjusting the display settings
While display settings are not directly related to turning the phone on, one setting can affect how the screen wakes. To turn off Lift to wake, open Settings > Advanced features > Motions and gestures, then switch off Lift to wake. For Bixby wake settings, go to Settings > Advanced features > Bixby > Voice registration > Wake-up sensitivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I hold the button?
Samsung’s current pages say to hold the Side key until the logo appears for normal power-on. For a forced restart, hold Power or Side plus Volume down for up to 60 seconds.
Does this differ by model?
Yes. Samsung’s pages distinguish between phones with a Side button and models with a dedicated Power button. The method for turning on changes accordingly.
Is this different on iPhone?
Yes. Apple says to press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears, which is a different button and visual cue than Samsung’s method.
What if my phone is completely discharged?
Samsung states that a fully discharged phone may take up to 10 minutes to show a charging indicator. Charge it for at least 1 hour before attempting to turn it on again.
Can I turn on my Galaxy phone without the Side button?
If the phone is unresponsive, the forced restart method (Side + Volume down held for up to 60 seconds) is the primary alternative. For models that support it, double-tapping the screen or using gestures may wake the device, but these features are not part of the standard power-on procedure.
For the wider topic, see powering your phone on and off.
