Turning off your Android phone is simple once you know the right method: press and hold the power button along with either the volume up or volume down button until the power menu appears, then tap “Power off.” This combination works on most modern Android phones, including Samsung, Pixel, Motorola, and Xiaomi. If that doesn’t work, you can also swipe down twice from the top of your screen, tap the power icon in the Quick Settings menu, and choose “Power off.” These two methods cover nearly all Android models and software versions.
Understanding the Power Button Changes
Starting with Android 12, Google reassigned the power button to launch Google Assistant instead of opening the power menu. Samsung did something similar, using the button for Bixby. As a result, powering off your phone now requires either button combinations or alternate access through Quick Settings.
If you want your power button to behave like it used to, you can change it in your settings. On most Android devices, go to Settings > System > Gestures > Press and Hold Power Button, then select “Power Menu.” On Samsung phones, navigate to Settings > Advanced Features > Side Key and choose “Power off menu.”
Standard Methods to Power Off Your Android Phone
1. Using Button Combinations
Hold the power button + volume up (or down) for about 3 seconds until the power menu appears. Then tap “Power off.” You may need to confirm the action a second time. This universal shortcut works on nearly all Android brands.
2. Using Quick Settings Menu
Swipe down twice from the top of your screen to open the full Quick Settings panel, then tap the power icon (usually in the bottom right corner). Select “Power off.” This is especially helpful if your phone’s physical buttons are broken or unresponsive.
Brand-Specific Instructions
Samsung Galaxy: Hold the side key + volume down until the power menu appears, then tap “Power off.” You can also say to Bixby, “Turn off the phone.”
Google Pixel:
- Pixel 6 and newer — hold power + volume up.
- Pixel 5a and older — hold power only.
Motorola and Others: Hold power + volume up until the power dialog appears.
If Your Phone Is Frozen or Unresponsive
If your device is completely frozen, perform a forced restart by holding the power button for 15–20 seconds. On Samsung phones, hold power + volume down for 7 seconds. This will force the device to reboot, even if the screen isn’t responding.
When the Power Button Doesn’t Work
Use the Quick Settings power icon, or connect your phone to a computer and enter this ADB command:
adb reboot -pIf your device supports it, you can also schedule automatic power-offs in Settings > Schedule power on/off.
Understanding Restart vs Complete Shutdown
A restart refreshes processes but keeps some data in memory, while a complete shutdown fully resets hardware and clears RAM. Shutting down your phone once a week can improve performance and extend battery life.
Voice Command Options
- Samsung: Say to Bixby, “Turn off the phone,” then confirm.
- Google Assistant: Can restart but not fully power off for security reasons.
Best Practices
Perform a complete shutdown weekly, avoid unnecessary force shutdowns, and always confirm power-off actions through the system menu when possible. This keeps your phone stable and prolongs its lifespan.