The basic power-off method
To turn off a Samsung Galaxy phone, press and hold the Power button (usually on the right side of the device) and the Volume Down button together for a few seconds. A menu will appear on your screen with options including "Power off" or "Shut down." Tap that option and your phone will begin shutting down.
The exact wording and appearance of this menu varies slightly between Galaxy models and Android versions, but the Power + Volume Down combination works on nearly all Samsung Galaxy phones made in the last several years. If you only press the Power button alone, you'll typically see a menu with options like "Power off," "Restart," and "Emergency mode" — you can tap "Power off" from there instead.
Once you tap the shutdown option, your phone will take 10 to 30 seconds to close all running apps and turn off completely. The screen will go black and stay black until you press the Power button again to turn it back on.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold the Power button and Volume Down button together until the power menu appears, then tap "Power off."
- Pressing only the Power button also brings up a menu where you can select "Power off" as an alternative method.
- Your phone will take 10 to 30 seconds to shut down completely after you confirm the power-off command.
- If your phone is frozen or unresponsive, you can force it to shut down by holding Power and Volume Down for 10 to 15 seconds without waiting for a menu.
What to do if your phone won't respond to the power button
If your Galaxy phone is frozen or the screen is unresponsive, holding Power and Volume Down for 10 to 15 seconds will force the phone to shut down even without a menu appearing. This is called a force restart or hard reset, and it works when the normal shutdown process is stuck.
Keep holding both buttons until you see the Samsung logo appear on the screen, then release them. The phone will power off and restart automatically. This does not erase any of your data — it straightforward forces the phone to close everything and start fresh.
Differences between power off and restart
When you select "Power off," your phone shuts down completely and stays off until you press the Power button to turn it back on. When you select "Restart" from the same menu, your phone shuts down and then turns itself back on automatically without you pressing anything.
Use "Power off" when you want the phone to stay off — for example, if you're traveling and want to save battery, or if you need to remove the SIM card. Use "Restart" when your phone is running slowly or an app is misbehaving and you want to clear its memory without having to manually turn it back on.
Turning off your phone safely before travel or storage
Before you travel or store your Galaxy phone for an extended period, powering it off completely is the safest option. A powered-off phone uses almost no battery, so it will hold its charge for weeks or even months if left alone.
If you plan to store your phone for more than a few weeks, power it off completely and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. When you're ready to use it again, straightforward press the Power button and wait for the startup screen to appear. Your phone will take a minute or two to fully boot up and reconnect to your network.
What happens to apps and notifications when your phone is off
When your Galaxy phone is powered off, no apps are running and no notifications will arrive. Text messages, emails, and calls will not come through while the phone is off — they will be delivered once you turn it back on and it reconnects to your network.
Alarms that you set will not go off if your phone is powered off. If you need an alarm to wake you up, you must leave your phone on. Some Galaxy models have a "Scheduled Power On" feature that lets you set a time for the phone to turn itself on automatically, but this is not available on all models.
Restarting your phone instead of powering it off
If you only want to refresh your phone without leaving it off, select "Restart" instead of "Power off." Your phone will shut down and turn itself back on within 30 to 60 seconds. This clears the phone's memory and closes any stuck apps without requiring you to manually turn it back on.
Restarting is often the first troubleshooting step when your Galaxy phone is slow, an app keeps crashing, or your internet connection is dropping. It takes less than two minutes and solves many common problems without affecting your data or settings.
When to call Samsung support
If your Power button is physically broken or stuck and you cannot turn off your phone using the button, you may need to contact Samsung support or visit a repair center. A damaged Power button usually requires professional repair.
If your phone will not turn off even after holding the Power and Volume Down buttons for 15 seconds, or if it turns off but will not turn back on, the phone may have a hardware problem. In these cases, contact Samsung directly or visit an authorized repair location. Do not attempt to open the phone yourself, as this can cause further damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off my phone erase my photos and data?
No. Powering off your phone does not erase anything. All your photos, contacts, messages, and apps remain stored on your phone. When you turn it back on, everything will be exactly as you left it.
How long does it take for a Galaxy phone to turn off?
A normal shutdown takes 10 to 30 seconds from the moment you tap "Power off." A force shutdown (holding Power and Volume Down) takes about 10 to 15 seconds. If your phone takes longer than a minute, it may be stuck and you should try the force shutdown method instead.
Can I turn off my phone while it's charging?
Yes, you can power off your Galaxy phone at any time, even while it is plugged in and charging. Turning it off will not damage the phone or the charger. When you turn it back on, it will resume charging normally.
What's the difference between power off and airplane mode?
Airplane mode keeps your phone on but disables wireless signals like cellular, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. You can still use apps and see your data. Power off shuts the entire phone down. Use airplane mode when you want the phone silent but still usable; use power off when you want it completely off.
Why would I restart instead of just turning the phone off and back on?
Restarting is faster and more convenient because the phone automatically turns itself back on. If you power off, you have to manually press the Power button to turn it back on. Restarting is the better choice when you're troubleshooting a problem and want the phone back in use quickly.