Turning off a smartphone should be simple, but with every new update, the button functions and menus change. Many users find themselves unsure about how to shut their device down—whether they want to turn off their phone to save battery, reboot for better performance, or check how to power off a newer model like the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
If you’ve ever wondered things like how do I turn my phone off? or struggled with a device that won’t respond, this guide will help. Below, you’ll find every working method for both iPhone and Android devices.
Why It’s Harder to Turn a Phone Off Today
Smartphones evolved, and so did their shutdown processes. Some manufacturers now use the side button for voice assistants instead of powering off the device. Others include security features that prevent someone from turning off your phone without permission. In many cases, people also look for ways to turn their phone off when the screen is frozen or the buttons stop working.
Here are the most common reasons you may struggle:
- New button combinations introduced in software updates
- Side buttons assigned to Siri, Bixby, or Google Assistant
- Frozen or unresponsive screens
- Security restrictions when the phone is locked
- Cases blocking physical buttons
How to Turn Off an iPhone (All Models)
The methods below work on all iPhones, including the newest iPhone 17 Pro Max.
1. Turn Off iPhone Using Hardware Buttons
- Press and hold the Side Button and either Volume Up or Volume Down.
- Wait for the “Slide to Power Off” slider.
- Swipe the slider to shut the device down.
2. Turn Off iPhone Through Settings (No Buttons Needed)
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Scroll to the bottom and tap Shut Down.
3. Force Shutdown When the Screen Is Frozen
If your phone isn’t responding and you need to turn the phone off quickly:
- Press and release Volume Up.
- Press and release Volume Down.
- Hold the Side Button until the screen turns black.
4. Lost iPhone: Using Find My
People often search how to “find my phone and turn it off” on models like the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Apple does not allow a full remote shutdown for security reasons, but you can protect your device:
- Open the Find My app or visit iCloud.com.
- Select your iPhone.
- Enable Lost Mode to lock the device and display your contact info.
How to Turn Off an Android Phone
Android shutdown steps differ by brand, but the core features are similar. Whether you want to turn the phone off on Samsung, Pixel, Xiaomi, Oppo, or any other brand, the methods below will work.
1. Standard Shutdown Method
- Press and hold the Power Button.
- Select Power Off.
2. Button Combination (Newer Android Models)
- Press and hold Power Button + Volume Down.
- Select Power Off from the screen.
3. Samsung Devices
Newer Samsungs use the side key for Bixby, which confuses many users trying to turn the phone off. Here are working options:
A. Using Buttons
- Hold Power Button + Volume Down.
B. Using Quick Settings
- Swipe down twice.
- Tap the Power Icon.
- Select Power Off.
C. Reassigning the Side Key
- Go to Settings > Advanced Features > Side Key.
- Choose Power Off Menu.
4. Google Pixel
- Press Power Button + Volume Up.
- Select Power Off.
5. Xiaomi, Redmi, Poco
- Hold the Power Button.
- Select Power Off.
6. Oppo, Realme, Vivo
- Press Power Button + Volume Up.
- Choose Power Off.
7. Motorola
- Hold the Power Button.
- Tap Power Off.
How to Turn Off a Phone When the Screen Is Frozen
iPhone
- Use the force-shutdown button sequence (Volume Up → Volume Down → Hold Side Button).
Android
- Hold the Power Button for 10–15 seconds.
- Or hold Power + Volume Down depending on the model.
How to Turn Off a Phone Without the Power Button
iPhone
- Go to Settings → General → Shut Down.
Android
- Open Quick Settings and tap the Power Icon.
- Or enable the Accessibility Menu to create a virtual power button.
Remote Phone Shutdown: What You Can Actually Do
Many people type “turn off my phone remotely” into search engines when their device is lost or stolen. While neither iPhone nor Android lets you completely power a device off remotely, both offer similar protective options.
iPhone (Find My)
- Mark as Lost
- Erase Device
- Disable Apple Pay
Android (Find My Device)
- Lock Device
- Play Sound
- Erase Device
Why You Might Need to Turn Your Phone Off
- To save battery during travel
- To reset system performance
- To cool down an overheating device
- To fix temporary glitches
- To enhance security
Common Shutdown Problems and Solutions
Phone Won’t Turn Off
- Try alternate button combinations
- Remove case blocking buttons
- Force shutdown
- Let the battery drain if nothing works
Phone Keeps Restarting
- Update the system
- Uninstall faulty apps
- Reset settings if needed
Power Button Not Working
- Use software shutdown options
- Enable virtual shortcuts
- Consider hardware repair
Conclusion
Knowing how to properly turn off your phone is an essential skill—whether you use an iPhone 17 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, or any Android device. With the methods above, you can shut down your phone normally, turn it off when frozen, power it off without buttons, or secure it when lost. This guide covers every situation to ensure you always stay in control of your device.
