The quickest way to power down your S24

To turn off your Samsung Galaxy S24, press and hold the power button (on the right side of the phone) and the volume down button together for about three seconds. A menu will appear with options including "Power off." Tap "Power off" and the phone will shut down completely within a few seconds.

If you only press the power button alone, you'll see the lock screen or wake the phone instead. The combination of power and volume down is what triggers the shutdown menu on the S24.

You can also access power options through Settings if the buttons aren't responding. Go to Settings > General management > Restart, then select "Power off" from the menu that appears. This route takes a few extra taps but works just as well when physical buttons aren't reliable.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold the power button and volume down button together for three seconds to bring up the power menu.
  • Tap "Power off" when the menu appears; the phone will shut down within seconds.
  • If the buttons aren't working, you can power down through Settings > General management > Restart.
  • A full power-off is different from locking the screen—only the power button alone locks the phone without shutting it down.
  • Alarms will not sound when your S24 is powered off completely, so use lock mode instead if you need them to work.

Understanding the power menu on your S24

When you press power and volume down together, the S24 displays a menu with several options. "Power off" is usually the first choice, but you'll also see "Emergency mode" and "Restart" depending on your software version.

"Restart" will turn the phone off and back on automatically—useful if the phone is running slowly or an app has frozen. "Power off" shuts it down completely and keeps it off until you press the power button again to turn it back on. The menu stays on screen for about 10 seconds before timing out, so you have time to read your options.

Powering off through Settings

If your physical buttons aren't responding or you prefer using the touchscreen, open Settings on your home screen or app drawer. Scroll down and tap General management, then look for Restart or Shutdown depending on your software version.

Select "Power off" from the options shown. The phone will display a countdown and then shut down. This method takes slightly longer than using the buttons but works just as well. You'll see a message saying "Powering off" before the screen goes dark.

What happens when you power off your S24

When your S24 powers off completely, all running apps close, the screen goes dark, and the phone stops using battery power (though it drains very slowly even when off). Any alarms you've set will not sound while the phone is powered down, and notifications won't arrive until you turn it back on.

If you need an alarm to work, use the lock screen instead—press the power button once to lock the phone without shutting it down. The screen will be dark but the phone will still be on and able to trigger alarms and notifications. This is the key difference between a full power-off and a lock.

Restarting instead of powering off

A restart is different from a power-off. When you restart, the phone turns off and when ready turns back on, which can fix temporary problems like frozen apps or slow performance. To restart, press power and volume down, then tap "Restart" instead of "Power off."

Restarting usually takes 30 seconds to a minute. During this time, you'll see the Samsung logo and a loading animation. Once the phone finishes restarting, you'll be back at your lock screen and all your data will be intact.

If your S24 won't turn off normally

If the power button isn't working or the phone is completely frozen, try a force restart. Press and release the power button quickly, then press and release the volume up button, then press and hold the power button until the Samsung logo appears (usually 10 to 15 seconds). Release the power button and the phone will restart.

A force restart doesn't erase any data—it straightforward forces the phone to shut down and start back up. This works even if the phone appears completely unresponsive. If the force restart doesn't work, the power button itself may need repair, and you should contact Samsung support or visit a repair center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my alarms go off if my S24 is powered off?

No. When the phone is completely powered off, alarms will not sound. If you need an alarm to work, lock the phone instead by pressing the power button once—this keeps the phone on but the screen dark.

Does powering off my S24 delete anything?

No. Powering off straightforward closes all running apps and stops the phone from using battery. All your photos, messages, contacts, and settings remain on the phone and will be there when you turn it back on.

What's the difference between power off and restart?

Power off shuts the phone down completely and keeps it off until you press the power button again. Restart shuts the phone down and when ready turns it back on automatically, which can fix temporary problems like frozen apps.

Can I turn off my S24 without using the power button?

Yes. Go to Settings > General management > Restart, then select "Power off." This method works if your power button is broken or unresponsive.

How long does it take to turn off an S24?

A normal power-off takes about 3 to 5 seconds after you tap "Power off." A force restart takes 10 to 15 seconds before the Samsung logo appears.