Restarting your Apple Watch can help resolve minor software issues and is also a necessary step in certain troubleshooting processes. The process is quite straightforward and similar to restarting an iPhone or iPad. This article will guide you on how to do it.
Before we start, remember that you shouldn’t restart your Apple Watch by force unless it’s unresponsive.
How to Normally Restart Your Apple Watch
Follow these steps to normally restart your Apple Watch:
- Press and Hold the Side Button: On your Apple Watch, press and hold the side button until you see the Power Off slider on the screen. The side button is the one underneath the Digital Crown.
- Drag the Power Off Slider: When the Power Off slider appears, drag it to the right. This will turn off your Apple Watch.
- Wait for the Watch to Turn Off: Your screen will go dark, and the watch will shut down. This may take a few seconds, so be patient.
- Turn the Watch Back On: After the watch has turned off, press and hold the side button again until you see the Apple logo. This means your Apple Watch is restarting.
How to Force Restart Your Apple Watch
If your Apple Watch is not responding, you may need to force restart it. This should only be used as a last resort if your device is not responding to any input:
- Press and Hold the Side Button and Digital Crown: On your Apple Watch, press and hold both the side button and the Digital Crown for at least 10 seconds.
- Release When the Apple Logo Appears: When you see the Apple logo on the screen, release both the side button and the Digital Crown. Your Apple Watch will now restart.
Remember that you should not force restart your Apple Watch while it’s updating. Updates can take several minutes, during which the watch may seem unresponsive, but forcing a restart during an update can cause permanent damage.
When Should You Restart Your Apple Watch?
While you don’t need to restart your Apple Watch regularly, there are times when a restart can help, such as:
- If your watch is running slowly or lagging.
- If an app is not working correctly.
- If your watch is not syncing with your iPhone.
Restarting can solve these and other minor software issues, and it’s a simple process that only takes a minute or two.
Conclusion
Restarting your Apple Watch is an easy way to solve minor software issues or refresh your device if it’s running slowly. Whether you’re doing a regular restart or a force restart, it’s a quick and straightforward process. However, remember to only use force restart as a last resort if your device is unresponsive. In all other cases, a regular restart is a better choice to avoid any potential damage to your watch.
