Turning off an Android phone is usually simple, but the exact button combination depends on the brand and how the Power or Side button is configured.
On many newer phones, holding the side button may open Google Assistant, Gemini, or Bixby instead of the power menu.
This guide covers the current methods for Pixel, Samsung, and other Android phones.
Turn Off a Google Pixel
On Pixel 6 and later:
- Press and hold Power + Volume Up for a few seconds.
- When the power menu appears, tap Power off.
Google currently documents this as the standard shutdown method on newer Pixel phones.
On Pixel 5a and earlier:
- Press and hold the Power button.
- Tap Power off.
Make the Pixel Power Button Open the Power Menu
If holding the Power button opens Assistant instead of the shutdown menu, you can change that behavior.
Open:
Settings > System > Gestures > Press and hold the power button
Then select:
Power menu
After that, press and hold the Power button and tap Power off.
This is useful if you prefer the traditional one-button shutdown method.
Turn Off a Samsung Galaxy Phone
On many current Samsung Galaxy phones:
- Press and hold Side key + Volume Down for a few seconds.
- When the power menu appears, tap Power off.
- Tap Power off again to confirm if prompted.
Samsung currently documents this method for newer Galaxy devices.
Older Samsung phones with a dedicated Power button may still use a normal long press on that button.
Make the Samsung Side Key Open the Power Menu
On some recent Galaxy phones, holding the Side key can launch Gemini, Bixby, or another assistant.
To change it:
Settings > Advanced features > Side button
Under the long-press setting, choose:
Power off menu
After that, holding the Side key should open the shutdown menu.
Turn Off Android From Quick Settings
You can also turn off many Android phones without using the physical Power button.
Swipe down from the top of the screen.
You may need to swipe down a second time to fully expand Quick Settings.
Look for the Power icon.
Tap it, then choose:
Power off
This method is useful when:
- the Power button is difficult to press;
- the button opens Assistant instead;
- you want to avoid using the hardware button repeatedly.
On Samsung Galaxy phones, the Power icon is available from the Quick panel on supported models.
What if the Power Button Opens Gemini or Google Assistant?
That is normal on many newer Android phones.
The side button may be configured as an assistant shortcut instead of a traditional Power button.
You have three practical options:
- Use the Power + Volume button combination.
- Use the Power icon in Quick Settings.
- Change the long-press setting so the button opens the Power menu.
On Pixel, use:
Settings > System > Gestures > Press and hold the power button
On Samsung, use:
Settings > Advanced features > Side button
How to Turn Off Android Without the Power Button
If the physical button still works poorly but the screen is usable, use Quick Settings.
- Swipe down from the top of the screen.
- Expand the Quick Settings panel.
- Tap the Power icon.
- Tap Power off.
Do not shut down the phone this way if the Power button is completely broken and you are unsure how you will turn the phone back on.
Some Android phones require the physical button to power on after a full shutdown.
If the button itself is failing, repair is safer than repeatedly powering the phone off.
Phone Is Frozen and Will Not Turn Off
A frozen phone is different from a normal shutdown.
If the screen does not respond, use a forced restart rather than waiting for the normal Power menu.
Google Pixel
Google currently recommends holding the Power button for up to about 60 seconds until the phone begins to restart.
Release it when the Google logo appears.
Samsung Galaxy
Press and hold:
Side key + Volume Down
for more than 7 seconds.
The phone should restart.
A forced restart does not normally erase personal data.
Power Off vs Restart
These options are not the same.
Power off shuts the phone down completely.
Restart turns the phone off and immediately starts it again.
Use Restart when:
- an app is frozen;
- Android is behaving strangely;
- Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is temporarily stuck;
- the phone is running slowly after an update.
Use Power off when:
- you are storing the phone;
- removing hardware where the manufacturer recommends shutdown;
- troubleshooting charging or hardware issues;
- you simply want the phone completely off.
For many software problems, Restart is more useful than leaving the phone powered off for a long time.
Why Does the Screen Stay Slightly Lit After I Turn It Off?
A common source of confusion is Always On Display.
Pressing the Power button once usually turns the screen off, but it does not shut down the phone.
The phone remains powered on and may still show:
- time;
- date;
- notifications;
- fingerprint icon.
To fully shut down Android, open the power menu and tap Power off.
If the display itself is behaving abnormally rather than simply showing Always On Display, see Phone Screen Is Black but Phone Is On.
Can You Schedule Android to Turn Off Automatically?
This depends on the manufacturer.
Some Android brands include scheduled power-on and power-off settings, while Pixel and Samsung do not provide the same universal scheduled shutdown feature across all models.
Search Settings for:
- Scheduled power on/off;
- Auto power off;
- Power schedule.
Do not install a random app solely for scheduled shutdown unless you trust the developer and understand the permissions it requires.
If the Phone Keeps Restarting Instead of Turning Off
If Android repeatedly reboots instead of staying off:
- Remove the case and check whether a button is stuck.
- Disconnect the charger and accessories.
- Restart normally once.
- Install pending software updates.
- Check whether the Side or Power button feels jammed.
A stuck hardware button can cause repeated restart behavior.
If the phone is also overheating or behaving unpredictably, see Phone Overheating While Charging if heat is part of the problem.
If the Screen Is Broken
If the display is damaged but still responds enough to use Quick Settings, you may still be able to shut the phone down from the Power icon.
If the display is completely black and you cannot navigate Android, button combinations become more important.
For a phone that still rings or vibrates but has no visible display, use Phone Screen Is Black but Phone Is On before assuming the whole device has failed.
The Method to Remember
For most modern Android phones:
Pixel 6 and later: hold Power + Volume Up, then tap Power off.
Samsung Galaxy: hold Side key + Volume Down, then tap Power off.
Quick Settings: swipe down, tap the Power icon, then tap Power off.
Power button opens Assistant: change the long-press setting to Power menu.
Phone is frozen: use the manufacturer’s forced-restart button combination.
The important distinction is between turning the screen off and shutting the phone down. A single press of the Power button usually locks the screen. To completely turn off Android, you need the actual Power menu.
