How to Turn Off Samsung Phone: Buttons, Settings & Fixes

Samsung moved the power button on newer Galaxy phones, and if you’re used to the old button combo, you might find yourself staring at a Bixby screen instead of a shutdown menu. The Galaxy S24 series — and phones running One UI 7 — handle power-off differently than earlier models, which trips up a lot of users. The good news: Samsung built multiple ways to turn off your phone, with or without the power button, and most of them take seconds once you know where to look.

Primary Methods: Button hold, Quick Settings, Bixby routines · Power Button Location: Right side edge on Galaxy models · Common Issues: New UI updates, unresponsive screen · Official Source: Samsung.com support page

The table below summarizes key Galaxy S24 power controls, their button combinations, and where Samsung officially documents each method.

Where is the power button on my Samsung phone?

On modern Galaxy phones, Samsung replaced the dedicated power button with a multi-function side key. According to Samsung US Support, newer models like the Galaxy S24 have no dedicated power key — the side button serves multiple functions. The right edge of the phone is where you’ll find it, positioned roughly opposite the volume buttons on the left.

Side key location on Galaxy series

Samsung’s Galaxy line keeps the side button placement consistent across generations. Whether you have an S24, S24+, S24 Ultra, or S24 FE, the side button sits on the right edge near the top third of the device. The button carries the power symbol — a circle with a line extending from the top.

On/Off symbols explained

The power symbol (⏻) indicates standby mode when the phone is on. When the device is off, pressing and holding the side button starts the boot sequence. Samsung’s One UI shows this symbol in Quick Settings and on the power menu for clear visual guidance.

How do I turn off my Samsung phone?

Samsung gives you two reliable paths to shut down your Galaxy S24: the Quick Settings panel or the button combo. Samsung US Support confirms both methods work across recent Galaxy models, though the Quick Settings approach requires an extra tap to confirm.

Using Quick Settings panel

• Swipe down twice from the top of your screen using two fingers
• Tap the Power icon positioned in the upper right of the Quick Settings panel
• Select “Power off” and tap it again when prompted to confirm (Samsung US Support)

The vibration feedback confirms the shutdown sequence has started before the screen goes dark. Samsung’s official guide specifies two-finger swipe to ensure you access the full Quick Settings panel, not just the notification shade.

Hold Side button and Volume Down

• Press and hold the Side button and Volume Down button simultaneously
• Continue holding for approximately 7-10 seconds
• The power menu appears; select “Power off”

This method mirrors the traditional Android shutdown procedure. Samsung US Support documents this combo as the standard approach for force restarts and manual shutdowns.

How to turn off Samsung phone without power button?

When physical buttons fail or you’re dealing with a broken side key, Samsung built accessibility features that keep power-off within reach. The methods work even if your screen is responsive but the hardware isn’t cooperating.

Via Settings menu

• Open Settings → General management
• Tap Reset → Factory data reset (this is the menu path, though you won’t execute a reset)
• The accessible path provides on-screen alternatives

Samsung Philippines Support notes that users without a working power key can rely on Quick Settings as the primary buttonless method.

Accessibility options

• Navigate to Settings → Accessibility → Interaction & Dexterity
• Enable Accessibility Assistant Menu
• A floating icon appears on screen; tap it to access power options (YouTube Tutorial)

The floating assistant icon persists across apps and stays accessible regardless of which screen you’re on. This approach reportedly works even if Quick Settings becomes unresponsive.

Bixby voice command

• Activate Bixby via “Hi Bixby” or a configured side button press
• Say “Turn off my device” or “Power off the phone”
• The command executes if the screen is unlocked (Samsung Philippines Support)

Why can’t I get my Samsung phone to turn off?

If neither the Quick Settings nor the button combo responds, you’re likely dealing with a frozen screen or a software glitch rather than a hardware failure. Samsung’s troubleshooting path for unresponsive Galaxy phones involves the force restart — a more aggressive reset that clears the current session.

Frozen screen fixes

• Hold Volume Down + Side button for 7-10 seconds
• The screen goes blank as the device force restarts (YouTube Tutorial)
• After restart, try the power menu again through Quick Settings

A force restart differs from a shutdown — it cuts power abruptly rather than following the orderly shutdown sequence. Use it as a rescue step, not a regular shutdown method.

Software glitch solutions

• Check for pending software updates in Settings → Software update
• Boot into safe mode to isolate whether a third-party app is causing the issue
• If the problem persists across reboots, a factory reset may be necessary (back up data first)

Android Police reports that One UI 7 beta introduced home screen changes that affected usability on some units, including power menu responsiveness. Stable release updates address these issues.

How to turn off Samsung phone with new update?

One UI 7 brought visible changes to how you access the power menu, and users upgrading from older versions may notice the Quick Settings layout looks different. Samsung simplified the flow — you no longer need to hold multiple buttons to reach shutdown options.

One UI 7 changes

• Quick Settings power icon now sits in the upper right corner on the S24 series
• Two-finger swipe from the top opens the full Quick Settings panel (Samsung US Support)
• Tap the icon once to see power options; tap “Power off” twice to confirm

Android Police notes that One UI 7 beta running on the Galaxy S24 Ultra introduced new home screen features that some users found jarring, though power-off methods remained consistent with prior versions.

Side button settings menu

• Open Settings → Side button
• Assign “Press and hold” to “Power off” instead of Bixby
• The long-press on the side button now opens the shutdown menu directly (YouTube Tutorial)

By default, Samsung sets the side button’s long-press action to activate Bixby. Remapping it gives you one-press access to the power menu without the button combo.

How to turn off Samsung phone when locked?

When your phone is locked and the screen is unresponsive, the Quick Settings route won’t work since you can’t swipe down without unlocking first. In this scenario, the button combination method is your best option.

Emergency shutdown approaches

• Volume Down + Side button for 7-10 seconds triggers a force restart regardless of lock state
• This clears the current session and can rescue a frozen device
• After restart, you may still need to unlock before using Quick Settings

If a forced restart doesn’t solve the issue, you may need to enter recovery mode. Hold Volume Up + Side button simultaneously, then use the recovery menu to select “Power off.” This reportedly works as a last resort when the UI is completely unresponsive.

How to turn off Samsung phone with buttons?

The button method is the most reliable option when touch input isn’t available or Quick Settings won’t load. Samsung standardized the force restart sequence across recent Galaxy generations.

Button combinations for different scenarios

The table below maps Galaxy S24 power actions to their corresponding button inputs and expected outcomes.

The recovery mode entry works the same way across the S24 series. A tech demonstrator on YouTube confirms that you no longer need to hold volume down plus power simultaneously to access the power menu on newer Galaxy models with One UI 7, though the combination method remains functional.

Clarity on confirmed methods vs. community reports

Samsung’s official support channels confirm the primary power-off methods for Galaxy S24 and related models. Some community-reported approaches lack official documentation, so I’ve separated them below by verification level.

The implication: for most users, Samsung’s official Quick Settings method or the button combo covers 95% of scenarios. Community approaches fill the gaps when official methods aren’t available, but they lack the same level of tier-1 verification.

What experts and users say

Swipe down from the top of the screen using two fingers to open the Quick Settings panel. Tap the Power icon in the upper right of the screen.

— Samsung Support (Official Guide, Samsung US Support)

If the power button on your phone is not working or is unresponsive, there are alternative methods to turn off your phone without a power key.

— Samsung Philippines (Regional Support, Samsung Philippines Support)

You no longer have to press the power button and the volume down button at the same time in order to have access to the power off menu.

— S24 Tutorial Video (Tech Demonstrator, YouTube Tutorial)

What these sources reveal: Samsung officially acknowledges the buttonless power-off need and built Quick Settings as the primary alternative. The third-party tutorials confirm that the method works consistently across the S24 lineup, though the official guides emphasize the two-finger swipe requirement that many users overlook.

Bottom line

Samsung designed the Galaxy S24 series to function without a dedicated power button, and the power-off options reflect that shift. The Quick Settings power icon is the fastest route — two swipes, two taps, done. The button combo works as a backup and serves as the rescue method when your screen is frozen. If both fail, the accessibility menu or a force restart handles the rest.

For Galaxy S24 owners, the choice is clear: master the Quick Settings swipe if you want the fastest shutdown, or remap your side button for one-press access if the Bixby detour frustrates you. Either way, you have options — Samsung didn’t leave you stranded.