The basic power-off method
To turn off most Samsung phones and tablets, press and hold the Power button (usually on the right side of the device) and the Volume Down button at the same time. Hold both for about three seconds until a menu appears on your screen.
Once the power menu shows up, you'll see options including "Power Off" or "Shut Down." Tap that option with your finger. Your device will then display a countdown (usually 10 seconds) before it powers down completely. The screen will go black and stay black—your Samsung is now off.
On some older Samsung models, you may only need to press and hold the Power button alone. If the menu doesn't appear after three seconds, try holding it longer—up to five seconds. Different Samsung models vary slightly, so if one method doesn't work, the other usually will.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button together for three seconds to open the power menu on most Samsung devices.
- Tap "Power Off" or "Shut Down" from the menu that appears, then wait for the countdown to finish.
- On some older Samsung models, holding only the Power button will bring up the power menu instead.
- A completely black screen with no light or vibration means your Samsung has shut down successfully.
- If your device is frozen and won't respond to button presses, you can force it off by holding the Power button for 10 to 15 seconds.
What to do if your Samsung won't turn off normally
If the power menu doesn't appear when you press the buttons, your device may be frozen or unresponsive. In this case, use a force shutdown: press and hold the Power button alone for 10 to 15 seconds without releasing. You'll feel the device vibrate, and the screen may flash or go black. Keep holding until the Samsung logo appears and disappears, then release.
A force shutdown is safe to use and won't damage your device. It's the same as pulling the battery out on older phones—it straightforward cuts the power when ready. After a force shutdown, your Samsung will be completely off. You can turn it back on by pressing the Power button normally.
Turning off without using buttons
If your Power button is broken or stuck, you can turn off your Samsung through the Settings menu instead. Open Settings, scroll down and tap About Phone (or About Device), then look for a Shut Down or Power Off option near the bottom. Not all Samsung models include this option in Settings, but many do.
Another option is to let your battery drain completely. When the battery reaches zero percent, your Samsung will power off on its own. This takes longer and isn't ideal if you need the device off right away, but it works if your buttons are damaged.
The difference between powering off and restarting
Turning off your Samsung completely shuts down all processes and uses no battery power while it's off. Restarting (also called rebooting) turns the device off and when ready turns it back on. To restart instead of powering off, look for a Restart option in the power menu—it's usually listed alongside "Power Off."
Restart your Samsung when an app is frozen, the system is running slowly, or you've just installed an update. Power off your device when you won't be using it for a while and want to save battery, or when you're troubleshooting a serious problem and need a complete shutdown before turning it back on.
What happens when your Samsung powers down
When you shut down your Samsung, all running apps close, all data in temporary memory is cleared, and the device enters a state where it uses almost no battery power. Any unsaved work in an app will be lost, so save your documents and close your apps before powering off if you have important work open.
Your Samsung will not receive calls, texts, or notifications while it's off. Alarms you've set will not go off. If you need to be reachable, leave your device on or use Airplane Mode instead, which keeps the device running but disables wireless signals.
Turning off Samsung tablets
Samsung tablets use the same power-off method as phones: press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button together until the power menu appears, then tap "Power Off." The Power button on tablets is usually on the right edge or the top edge, depending on the model.
If you're not sure where the Power button is on your specific tablet, look for a small button on the edges of the device. It's often slightly raised or a different texture than the surrounding frame. Once you find it, the shutdown process is identical to a phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off my Samsung delete my files or photos?
No. Powering off your Samsung does not delete anything. All your photos, messages, contacts, and files remain stored on your device. They will be there when you turn it back on. Turning off is completely safe for your data.
How long does it take a Samsung to power off?
Most Samsung devices shut down within 10 to 15 seconds after you tap "Power Off." You'll see a countdown on the screen. If the screen stays on longer than 30 seconds, the device may be frozen—try a force shutdown instead by holding the Power button for 10 to 15 seconds.
Can I turn off my Samsung while it's charging?
Yes, you can power off your Samsung while it's plugged in. The device will shut down normally and will not charge while it's off. When you turn it back on, it will resume charging if the charger is still connected.
What's the difference between powering off and putting it in sleep mode?
Sleep mode (also called screen lock) keeps your Samsung running but turns off the display to save battery. The device still receives calls and notifications. Power off completely shuts down the device and uses almost no battery. To enter sleep mode, just press the Power button once—don't hold it.
My Samsung is stuck on the power-off screen. What should I do?
If the screen shows "Powering off" but doesn't complete, wait 30 seconds. If it's still stuck, perform a force shutdown by holding the Power button for 10 to 15 seconds. If the device still won't respond after that, the battery may be critically low—plug it in and wait a few minutes, then try again.