Turning off a smartphone in 2026 is way more annoying than it used to be. Back in the day, you held one button, got a menu, tapped “Power Off,” and done. Easy. Now? Power buttons summon voice assistants, open payment apps, trigger cameras, or something else.
Brands keep changing shortcuts, Android skins behave differently, and iPhones decided buttons should work together like a secret handshake. So if you’ve ever stood there like “why is my phone NOT turning off ”, you’re not alone.
That’s why we have created this guide to help you turn off your smartphone. We have covered the most popular smartphone brands, so it doesn’t matter which phone you are using; you will find the step-by-step guide to turn off your phone.
How to Turn Off Android Phones (General Method)
Most Android phones still follow a similar logic, but manufacturers tweak it.
Standard Android Method
- Press and hold the Power button + Volume Up
- Wait for the Power menu
- Tap Power Off
If that doesn’t work, your phone probably remapped the power button (we’ll fix that later).
Samsung Galaxy Phones
On Samsung Galaxy phones, the power button is often hijacked by Bixby (yep, still).
Method 1: Button Combo
- Press Side Key + Volume Down
- Hold for a second or two
- Tap Power Off
Method 2: Quick Settings
- Swipe down twice for Quick Settings
- Tap the Power icon
- Select Power Off
iPhone (Face ID & Home Button Models)
Apple really said “no single button supremacy.”
iPhones with Face ID
(Apple iPhone X and newer)
- Hold Side Button + Volume Up or Down
- Slide Power Off
iPhones with Home Button
(iPhone SE, iPhone 8 and older)
- Hold the Side or Top button
- Slide Power Off
Xiaomi / Redmi / POCO Phones
MIUI / HyperOS loves changing defaults.
Method 1: Button Combo
- Hold Power + Volume Up
- Tap Power Off
Method 2: Control Center
- Swipe down from the top
- Tap the Power icon
- Choose Power Off
OnePlus Phones
On OnePlus, the power button often launches Google Assistant by default.
To Power Off
- Hold Power + Volume Up
- Tap Power Off
Simple, once you know the combo.
Google Pixel Phones
Pixels have clean Android… but still confusing.
Default Method
- Hold Power + Volume Up
- Select Power Off
Older Pixels used just the power button, but Google switched things up (because, of course, why not let’s confuse our users for no reason).
How to Remap the Power Button (Highly Recommended)
If your power button keeps opening an assistant instead of turning off your phone, remapping it is a lifesaver.
On Most Android Phones
- Open Settings
- Go to System or Additional Settings
- Tap Buttons, Gestures, or Side Key
- Look for Press and hold Power button
- Change it to Power Menu
Samsung-Specific Steps
- Open Settings
- Go to Advanced Features
- Tap Side Key
- Set Press and hold → Power Off Menu
After this, holding the power button finally does what it’s supposed to do. Revolutionary!
Final Words
Turning off a smartphone shouldn’t feel like cracking a puzzle, but here we are. Between assistants, shortcuts, and brand-specific tweaks, it’s genuinely confusing if you don’t already know the combo. If you’re using a brand we didn’t cover, tell us which one and I’ll update the guide ASAP.
