The quickest way to power down your S23
Press and hold the power button on the right side of your phone for about three seconds. A menu will appear with options including "Power off". Tap "Power off" and your phone will shut down completely within a few seconds.
If you want to restart instead of powering down fully, tap "Restart" from the same menu. The phone will turn off and back on automatically, which can fix minor software glitches or slow performance.
You can also access power options through Settings. Open Settings, scroll to the bottom, tap "About phone", then tap "Shut down" — though the power button method is faster for most people.
Key Takeaways
- Press and hold the power button on the right side of your S23 for three seconds to see the power menu.
- Tap "Power off" to shut down your phone completely, or "Restart" to turn it off and back on.
- Your phone will power down within a few seconds of tapping the option.
- Restarting your phone can resolve freezing, slow performance, or app crashes without losing any data.
- If your phone is frozen and won't respond to the power button, hold the power button and volume down button together for 10 seconds to force a restart.
What happens when you power off your S23
Powering off your phone closes all running apps and processes, then shuts down the operating system. Your data — photos, contacts, messages, installed apps — stays on your phone and will be there when you turn it back on. Nothing is deleted by powering off.
When you power off, your phone stops using battery. If your S23 is fully charged and powered off, it can hold that charge for weeks without losing much power. This is useful if you plan to store your phone or won't use it for several days.
Restarting versus powering off
A restart (also called a soft reset) turns your phone off and back on automatically. A power off leaves it off until you press the power button again. Most people restart when their phone is slow or an app is frozen, because the restart clears temporary files and resets the system without losing anything.
Power off completely when you want to conserve battery for an extended period, when you're traveling and won't use your phone, or when you need to troubleshoot a serious problem. If your phone is overheating, powering it off and letting it cool for 15 to 20 minutes often solves the issue.
Force restart if your phone is frozen
If your S23 is completely unresponsive and won't turn off using the power button, you can force it to restart. Press and hold the power button and the volume down button together for about 10 seconds. The phone will vibrate and the Samsung logo will appear, then it will restart.
A force restart does not erase your data. It straightforward forces the phone to shut down and restart when ready, bypassing the normal shutdown process. Use this only when your phone is frozen or stuck, because it's more abrupt than a normal restart.
Using power saving mode instead of powering off
If you want to extend your battery life without turning off your phone completely, use Power Saving Mode. Swipe down from the top of your screen twice to open Quick Settings, then tap "Power Saving Mode". Your phone will reduce performance and limit background activity, stretching your battery to last much longer.
Power Saving Mode keeps your phone on and ready to receive calls and messages, but slows down processing and dims the screen. It's useful during a long day when you won't have a chance to charge. You can turn it off anytime by tapping it again in Quick Settings.
Scheduling automatic power off
Your S23 can power off automatically at a time you set. Open Settings, tap "Advanced features", then tap "Scheduling power on/off". Toggle on "Power off", then set the time you want your phone to shut down each day. Your phone will power off at that time automatically.
You can also set a time for your phone to power back on. This is useful if you want your phone off during sleep hours or work meetings, and you want it ready to use at a specific time in the morning. The phone will turn on at the scheduled time even if it's powered off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will turning off my S23 delete my photos or messages?
No. Powering off your phone does not erase any data. All your photos, messages, contacts, and installed apps will be exactly where you left them when you turn your phone back on.
How long does it take for my S23 to power off?
Your phone usually shuts down within 3 to 5 seconds of tapping "Power off". If it takes longer than 10 seconds, something may be stuck. Try a force restart by holding the power button and volume down button together for 10 seconds.
Can I turn off my S23 without using the power button?
Yes. You can open Settings, scroll to the bottom, tap "About phone", then tap "Shut down". You can also use voice commands if you have Google Assistant enabled — say "Hey Google, power off my phone." The power button is still the fastest method.
What's the difference between power off and restart?
Power off leaves your phone off until you press the power button. Restart turns it off and back on automatically. Restart clears temporary files and can fix freezing or slow performance. Use restart for quick fixes and power off when you want your phone to stay off.
Is it bad to turn off my S23 frequently?
No. Turning your phone off regularly does not damage it. In fact, restarting your phone once a week can keep it running smoothly by clearing temporary files and resetting processes. There is no limit to how many times you can power your phone on and off.