Quick Answer
On most modern Android phones, press and hold the Power button plus the Volume Up button at the same time for two seconds to bring up the power off menu. Tap Power off, then confirm.
You can also swipe down twice from the top of the screen and tap the power icon in the quick settings panel.
For a frozen phone, hold Power plus Volume Down for 15 seconds to force a hard restart.
Why holding power alone no longer works
Until Android 11, holding the side power button for two seconds opened a shutdown menu. Starting with Samsung One UI 3, Google Pixel 6, and most 2021 and newer flagships, that same long press now triggers Google Assistant or Gemini instead. The power menu was moved to a new shortcut to free the button for the AI assistant.
This is why so many people suddenly cannot find the off button on a new phone.
Method 1: the two button combo
This works on Samsung Galaxy (One UI 3 and newer), Google Pixel 6 and newer, and most OnePlus, Xiaomi, and Motorola phones from 2022 onward.
- Find the Power button (also called the Side Key) and the Volume Up button on the edge of the phone.
- Press and hold both at the same time for two to three seconds.
- The Power off and Restart icons appear on screen.
- Tap Power off, then tap Power off again to confirm.
Method 2: the quick settings shortcut
If your buttons are sticky or you prefer touch, the same menu lives in quick settings.
- Wake the phone and unlock it.
- Swipe down from the top of the screen twice to fully expand the quick settings panel.
- Look for the power icon in the top right corner (Samsung, Pixel) or the bottom corner (OnePlus).
- Tap it to open Power off and Restart.
Method 3: remap the side key (Samsung)
Samsung lets you restore the classic long press behavior so the side button shuts down again.
- Open Settings, Advanced Features, Side Key.
- Under Press and Hold, choose Power Off Menu.
- Save.
From this moment on, a long press on the side key once again opens Power off and Restart.
Method 4: remap on Pixel
On Pixel phones running Android 14 and 15:
- Settings, System, Gestures, Press and Hold Power Button.
- Turn Hold for Assistant off.
The long press now opens the power menu instead of Gemini.
Method 5: voice command
If you cannot reach the buttons, say:
- Hey Google, turn off my phone (Pixel and most Android phones).
- Hi Bixby, turn off the phone (Samsung with Bixby enabled).
The assistant will ask for confirmation and then shut down.
Emergency: force a hard restart on a frozen phone
If the screen is unresponsive, soft methods will not work. You need a forced hardware power cut.
- Press and hold Power plus Volume Down at the same time.
- Keep holding for a full 10 to 15 seconds.
- The screen will go black and the manufacturer logo will reappear.
- Release both buttons.
This forces a hardware reset and reboots the phone from cold. Your data is not affected.
Scheduled power off
Samsung phones include a built in scheduler that turns the phone off and back on automatically.
- Settings, Battery and Device Care, Auto Optimization, Auto Restart.
- Pick a day and time when the phone is normally idle.
A weekly auto restart clears memory leaks and noticeably improves day to day performance.
When the phone refuses to turn off at all
If neither the buttons nor the quick settings power icon work, three possibilities remain.
- The screen is responsive but the power menu is hidden by an overlay app. Boot into Safe Mode (hold the power button, then long press Power off until Safe Mode appears).
- The battery is below the cutoff. Plug in for 10 minutes and try again.
- The side button has failed mechanically. Use the quick settings shortcut or call your manufacturer for service.
The takeaway
Turning off a modern Android phone is a two button combo, not a one button hold. Power plus Volume Up opens the menu on almost every current phone. If you prefer the old behavior, remap the side key in Settings. For a frozen device, Power plus Volume Down held for 15 seconds is the universal hard reset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does holding the power button open Google Assistant?
Google reassigned the long press on Pixel and most flagships to launch the assistant. The power menu moved to the Power plus Volume Up combo.
How do I make the power button shut down my Samsung again?
Settings, Advanced Features, Side Key, Press and Hold, choose Power Off Menu.
Will a forced restart erase my data?
No. Holding Power plus Volume Down for 15 seconds is a hardware reset, not a factory reset. Your files and apps stay intact.
Can I schedule my Android phone to turn off?
Yes on Samsung. Settings, Battery and Device Care, Auto Optimization, Auto Restart.
