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On many newer Samsung Galaxy phones, press and hold Side + Volume Down until the power menu appears, then tap Power off and confirm. You can also use the power icon in Quick Settings on supported models. But opening the menu does not guarantee a password-free shutdown: a locked phone may still require its PIN, password, or pattern. If you have forgotten it, Samsung UK says the phone will switch off when its battery runs out.
Choose the shutdown method that fits your phone
| Method | Use it when | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Side + Volume Down or Power key | The screen responds and the phone has the relevant buttons | Opens the power menu on many Galaxy models; a lock credential may still be required. |
| Quick Settings power icon | The display and touch controls work, and the option is available | Opens the same power menu without using the buttons. |
| Forced button hold | The phone is frozen or unresponsive | May force a shutdown or restart; it is troubleshooting, not a reliable way to leave the phone powered off. |
Samsung’s instructions cover different models and software versions, so button behavior and available menu options can vary.
Open the power menu with the phone’s buttons
Newer Galaxy models
- Press and hold Side + Volume Down together for a few seconds, until the power menu appears.
- Tap Power off, then tap Power off again to confirm.
Samsung documents this button combination for many newer Galaxy phones. If the menu does not appear, the Side button’s assigned action or your model’s controls may differ. Samsung’s power-on and power-off guidance explains the available methods.
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Press and hold the Power key to open the power menu, then choose and confirm Power off. Button layouts differ across Galaxy generations; Samsung’s Galaxy setup guidance describes the newer Side + Volume Down controls.
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- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
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If holding the Side button opens Bixby
On supported models, you can change what a press-and-hold of the Side button does. Look under Settings > Advanced features > Side button for the power-off menu option; labels and availability may vary. Samsung also describes Side Key customization in its Side Key guide.
Use Quick Settings if the screen responds
- Swipe down from the top of the screen with two fingers to open Quick Settings.
- Tap the power icon, usually near the Settings icon.
- Choose Power off, then confirm.
Samsung lists this as an option on many newer phones, not every Galaxy device. If you do not see the power icon, use the button method for your model instead. See Samsung’s power-menu instructions.
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What to do if the phone asks for your password
A button combination or Quick Settings shortcut opens the power menu; it does not bypass the lock screen’s security rules. Samsung UK cautions that a locked device may ask for its PIN, password, or pattern before it can be powered down. If you have forgotten that credential, Samsung says the phone will switch off when its battery runs out. This caveat appears in Samsung UK’s mobile-device reset guidance.
Do not treat a factory reset or recovery-mode procedure as a shutdown shortcut. Those are different operations and can affect your data.
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If the phone is frozen, try a forced button hold
For an unresponsive phone, press and hold the Power or Side button together with Volume Down. Samsung describes this as simulating a battery pull; the forced shutdown may take up to 60 seconds. On some instructions, holding the buttons longer than seven seconds is described as a forced restart. The result can be a restart rather than a phone that remains off, so use this only for an unresponsive device—not as a password workaround. See Samsung’s troubleshooting steps for a Galaxy phone that will not turn off and its guidance for phones without a Power key.
A forced reboot also does not remove the lock requirement. Samsung says that after rebooting, a device secured with biometrics requires its backup password or PIN. You may need that credential to unlock the phone again.
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Check for a model-specific lock-screen setting
Some Galaxy devices may offer a Secure lock setting called Lock network and security, which can require credentials for certain actions such as powering off. Reports about this control come from Samsung Community discussions, and behavior varies by model; it is not established as a universal setting on current Galaxy phones. If you want to check, look under Settings > Lock screen > Secure lock settings if those options exist on your device. See the Samsung Community discussion, and verify the exact behavior on your own model.
When the documented steps do not work
If the buttons are damaged or none of the available shutdown methods works, contact Samsung Support for help with your device.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
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