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If holding your Galaxy phone’s Side button opens an app instead of the power menu, press and hold Side + Volume Down together until the power menu appears. Tap Power off, then tap it again to confirm, or tap Restart. To make a long press of the Side button open that menu again, go to Settings → Advanced features → Side button → Long press → Power off menu (some models call it Side key). Samsung says labels and button locations vary by model and software version. Samsung’s power instructions and Side-button remapping instructions document these routes.
Pick the right method for your phone’s condition
The correct button action depends on whether your Galaxy is responding normally. A long press that launches an app is usually a setting, not proof that the physical button has failed. Use the ordinary power menu when the screen works, change the long-press assignment if you want a permanent fix, and reserve the longer hold for a frozen device.
| Situation | Use this method | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| The phone is working and you need the menu once | Hold Side + Volume Down, then choose Power off or Restart | Opens the ordinary power menu without changing settings |
| You want a Side-button long press to open the menu in future | Settings → Advanced features → Side button/Side key → Long press → Power off menu | Changes the long-press assignment on supported models |
| The phone is frozen or the menu will not appear | Hold Side + Volume Down for more than seven seconds | Forces a restart rather than opening the normal menu |
| The phone still will not respond | Follow Samsung’s troubleshooting guidance and request service if it remains unresolved | Escalates the problem; it does not by itself prove the button is defective |
These procedures are documented across Samsung support pages and the Galaxy Z Fold6 and S23-series manuals. Exact labels, gestures and button positions can differ between devices and software releases. You do not need a replacement button, cable, app or other accessory to try the documented controls.
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Use Side and Volume Down together
- Find the phone’s Side button and Volume Down button. Samsung places controls differently on some models, so use the physical buttons on your particular Galaxy.
- Press and hold both buttons at the same time for a few seconds. Release them when the power menu appears.
- Tap Power off. On many Galaxy phones, tap Power off a second time to confirm.
- For a reboot instead of a shutdown, tap Restart and confirm if the phone asks.
This is the normal menu route for a responsive phone. It bypasses the Side button’s current long-press assignment, so it works even when that assignment launches an app or assistant. Samsung’s current instructions describe the combined-button method for many newer Galaxy devices. See Samsung’s power-on and power-off guidance.
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Do not press Volume Up by mistake. Volume Up and Volume Down are separate controls, and the combination described by Samsung for this menu is the Side button with Volume Down. If the menu does not show, release both buttons, position your fingers again, and press them together rather than one after the other.
Use the on-screen power icon
If pressing two buttons is awkward, use the Quick Settings or Quick panel:
- Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the panel. Samsung describes a two-finger swipe for Quick Settings on many newer devices; another Samsung support route opens the Quick panel from the top-right area. Your gesture may depend on the software version.
- Tap the power icon.
- Choose Power off and confirm, or choose Restart.
This method does not depend on what a long press of the Side button does. Samsung documents the panel’s power icon as an alternative control, including a restart path in its boot-loop troubleshooting guidance. Read the Quick-panel instructions.
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If one swipe only shows notifications, swipe down again or use the two-finger gesture supported by your version of One UI. Samsung’s descriptions differ slightly between support pages, so the location of the power icon may not look identical on every Galaxy. Look for the standard power symbol rather than an app tile.
Make a long press show the power menu again
If the Side button keeps opening an app, change its Long press action. This is separate from a Double press shortcut, which some Galaxy models assign to actions such as Camera.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Advanced features.
- Tap Side button. On some models or manuals, this control is called Side key.
- Under Long press, select Power off menu.
After this change, pressing and holding the Side button should bring up the menu containing power-off and restart choices, where the option is available on your model. Samsung’s remapping article uses the path above; the Galaxy Z Fold6 and S23-series manuals describe the same general setting. Samsung: remap or turn off Bixby on a Galaxy phone.
If you only want to stop an app from opening on a double press, change the Double press setting instead. Do not change Double press when the unwanted behavior occurs only after holding the button. Conversely, changing Long press will not stop a shortcut that is triggered by two quick presses.
The setting is persistent, so it is useful when you regularly need the power menu and do not want to remember the button combination. It is available on supported models; if your Galaxy does not show the setting, use the button combination or Quick panel instead. Samsung’s manuals use both “Side button” and “Side key,” so search Settings for either wording if the first label is absent.
Force a restart when the phone is frozen
A frozen Galaxy needs a different action from the ordinary power menu. Hold Side + Volume Down together for more than seven seconds. This is a forced restart: it is intended for a device that does not respond or whose restart menu does not appear, not for a routine shutdown. Samsung gives this instruction in its troubleshooting material and device manuals. Samsung’s boot-loop troubleshooting page.
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- Press and hold Side and Volume Down simultaneously.
- Keep holding for longer than seven seconds, even if the screen does not change immediately.
- Release the buttons when the phone begins restarting.
- Allow the device time to boot before trying another command.
Samsung’s separate troubleshooting page notes that its simulated battery-pull reboot can take up to 60 seconds. Do not treat the seven-second instruction as a guarantee that the phone will shut down instantly; a forced restart may take longer to show a result. See Samsung’s “phone or tablet will not turn off” troubleshooting.
A forced restart can interrupt unsaved activity. Use the normal power menu whenever the phone is responsive and you need a controlled shutdown. The forced procedure restarts the device; it is not the same as selecting Power off and waiting for the operating system to close normally.
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Why the Side button opens an app
On many newer Galaxy devices, Samsung combines the former Power and Bixby functions in the Side button. The long-press action is configurable, so it may be assigned to an app, an assistant or the power menu. That assignment does not remove the phone’s ability to shut down; it changes which control appears after a long press.
The Side button’s long-press setting and its double-press shortcut are independent. A phone can be configured to open an app on one gesture and still show the power menu on the other. Check which gesture triggers the app before changing settings. Holding the button steadily is different from tapping it twice quickly, even if both gestures involve the same physical control.
Samsung also documents voice control through Bixby as an alternative way to request shutdown when its voice feature has been set up. Voice control is optional; the button combination, Quick panel and Side-button setting above do not require it. Samsung’s power-control alternatives.
Bixby is therefore an option rather than a requirement. If voice features are not configured, do not spend time setting them up just to power off the phone: Side + Volume Down and the on-screen power icon provide direct routes. The remapping path is the relevant fix when the goal is to change what a long press does every time.
What can differ by Galaxy model or software version
- Button names: current screens commonly say Side button, while some manuals say Side key.
- Button location: Samsung notes that the physical location of the controls depends on the model.
- Panel gesture: a two-finger swipe and a top-right Quick-panel route are both described by Samsung support pages; use the gesture your software provides.
- Menu confirmation: many phones require a second tap on Power off, but the exact prompt can vary.
- Settings availability: the remapping option is supported on applicable models, but every Galaxy generation does not necessarily present identical controls.
- Software scope: Samsung’s displayed boot-loop section specifically discusses devices running One UI 8.0 or earlier. That page-specific wording should not be read as a promise that every future release uses identical screens.
The cited Galaxy Z Fold6 and S23-series manuals demonstrate the procedure for those device families and regions; they are examples, not evidence that every Galaxy has exactly the same interface. A carrier, regional firmware build or later One UI update can change wording or the placement of a control without changing the underlying choices.
If a menu item has a slightly different name, look for the equivalent control under Advanced features and the Side button or Side key section. Avoid assuming that a missing label means the phone cannot be restarted. The combined-button and Quick-panel methods remain the first alternatives Samsung documents for many newer devices.
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Troubleshoot the common failure points
The power menu does not appear
- Make sure you are pressing Side and Volume Down, not Volume Up.
- Press both buttons together and keep them held for a few seconds rather than tapping them separately.
- If the phone is responsive, open Quick Settings or the Quick panel and use its power icon instead.
- If the screen is frozen, use the more-than-seven-second forced-restart procedure rather than waiting for the ordinary menu.
- Check whether a case makes one button difficult to press fully. Remove or reposition the case only if it is clearly preventing contact; no replacement part is needed just to test the software routes.
The last point is a practical check, not a diagnosis. If the buttons feel normal and the phone still responds through the screen, use the on-screen power icon and then inspect the Side-button setting after the next boot.
The app opens every time you hold Side
Use the persistent remapping path: Settings → Advanced features → Side button (or Side key) → Long press → Power off menu. If the app appears after a quick double press instead, inspect the Double press assignment; changing Long press will not alter that separate shortcut.
When the setting is changed successfully, test it once while the phone is unlocked and responsive. A long press should display the power menu, where you can choose Power off or Restart. If the app still opens, verify that you changed Long press rather than Double press and that you tapped the final Power off menu option.
The phone restarts but will not finish booting
Samsung’s boot-loop guidance provides the Quick-panel restart route and the forced-restart combination. If the device repeatedly fails to start or remains in a boot loop, continue with Samsung’s troubleshooting instructions for your model rather than repeatedly forcing restarts. Open the boot-loop support page.
A single forced restart is intended to recover an unresponsive device. Repeated boot failures are a separate problem from a Side-button shortcut, so changing the button assignment alone will not resolve a continuing boot loop.
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After trying the documented normal and forced procedures, use Samsung’s support and service guidance. Samsung recommends requesting service when troubleshooting does not resolve a device that will not turn off. This escalation is appropriate even when you cannot yet determine whether the cause is software or hardware. Samsung service guidance for a phone that will not turn off.
Do not infer a failed Side button solely because its long press launches an app. That behavior can be an intentional assignment. Service becomes the appropriate next step when the phone remains unable to respond to the documented controls or repeatedly fails to complete a restart.
Normal shutdown versus forced restart
| Characteristic | Normal power-menu action | Forced restart |
|---|---|---|
| When to use it | The phone responds and you want to power off or restart deliberately | The phone is frozen or the menu does not appear |
| How to start | Hold Side + Volume Down until the menu appears, or use the panel power icon | Hold Side + Volume Down for more than seven seconds |
| Result | You choose Power off or Restart from an on-screen menu | The phone restarts without requiring the menu |
| Confirmation | Power off may require a second tap | No normal shutdown confirmation is shown |
| Data considerations | Allows apps and the operating system to close normally | May interrupt unsaved activity because it is intended for an unresponsive device |
The distinction matters when you only want the phone turned off. A forced restart does not provide a Power off choice, so use it only when the ordinary menu or Quick-panel icon cannot be used. If the phone is working, the normal route is more controlled and gives you a chance to save work and close an app.
Frequently asked questions
Does Side + Volume Down immediately turn the phone off?
No. On a responsive Galaxy, holding the two buttons for a few seconds opens the power menu. You then tap Power off and, on many models, tap Power off again to confirm. Selecting Restart produces a reboot instead.
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How long should I hold the buttons?
For the ordinary menu, hold Side and Volume Down until the menu appears, usually after a few seconds. For a frozen phone or a missing menu, Samsung instructs you to keep holding the same buttons for more than seven seconds to force a restart.
Will a forced restart erase my photos or apps?
The documented procedure is a restart, not a factory reset. It can interrupt unsaved activity, which is why Samsung’s normal power menu is preferable when the phone responds. Do not use the forced hold as a routine shutdown method.
What if my phone calls the button “Side key”?
Use the Side key control. Samsung’s manuals and support pages use both Side button and Side key for the configurable control. The relevant path is Settings → Advanced features → Side button or Side key → Long press → Power off menu, when that option is available.
Can I restart without changing the Side-button setting?
Yes. Open Quick Settings or the Quick panel, tap the on-screen power icon, and choose Restart. You can also hold Side + Volume Down to open the menu once; neither method changes the long-press assignment.
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What if the app opens after two quick presses, not a hold?
Inspect the Double press assignment in the Side-button settings. Long press and Double press are separate gestures. Changing Long press to Power off menu will not remove an app shortcut assigned to Double press.
Is Bixby required to turn the phone off?
No. Samsung documents Bixby voice as an optional alternative when its voice feature has been set up. The Side + Volume Down combination, Quick-panel power icon and Side-button remapping do not require Bixby.
What should I do if the forced restart seems to do nothing?
Keep the buttons held for more than seven seconds, release when restarting begins, and allow time for the boot process. Samsung notes that a simulated battery-pull reboot can take up to 60 seconds. If the phone still will not respond after the documented troubleshooting, request Samsung service.
Do I need a replacement button or special cable?
No accessory is part of Samsung’s documented solution for this symptom. The normal fixes use the existing Side and Volume Down buttons, the Quick-panel power icon, or the Settings remapping control. Consider service only if the phone remains unable to respond after those steps.
Why do the instructions look different from a friend’s Galaxy?
Samsung varies button placement, labels, gestures and confirmation screens by model and software version. The Galaxy Z Fold6 and S23-series manuals show the general procedure, but they do not establish identical menus for every Galaxy generation or region.
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When to stop troubleshooting
Use the Side-button remapping when the phone works but the long press is inconvenient. Use the Quick panel when you want an on-screen control without changing button behavior. Reserve the longer button hold for a frozen device or a missing power menu. If the phone still cannot turn off or restart after these documented routes, contact Samsung Support or request service through Samsung’s troubleshooting pages. The inability to use one button gesture alone does not establish that the physical button has failed.
Before contacting support, note your Galaxy model, software version and which action you tried: Side + Volume Down for the menu, Quick-panel power icon, the more-than-seven-second forced restart, or the Side-button remapping path. This helps support distinguish a setting issue from a boot or hardware problem. Samsung’s service escalation is conditional on the phone remaining unresolved after troubleshooting, not on the mere fact that an app opens during a long press.
Official instructions
- Samsung: Power your Galaxy phone or tablet on or off
- Samsung: How to remap or turn off Bixby on your Galaxy phone
- Samsung: Galaxy device will not start or is in a boot loop
- Samsung: Galaxy phone or tablet will not turn off
- Galaxy Z Fold6 user guide
- Galaxy S23-series user guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest way to open the power menu when Side launches an app?
Hold Side and Volume Down together for a few seconds, then choose Power off or Restart. This works without changing the Side-button assignment.
How do I make a long press open the menu permanently?
Go to Settings → Advanced features → Side button or Side key → Long press → Power off menu on supported models.
What is the difference between seven seconds and a normal hold?
A normal hold opens the power menu on a responsive phone. Holding the same buttons for more than seven seconds forces a restart when the phone is frozen or the menu will not appear.
Can I use the screen instead of the buttons?
Yes. Open Quick Settings or the Quick panel, tap the power icon, and select Power off or Restart.
Why does the app still open after I changed Long press?
The app may be assigned to Double press instead. Check the separate Double press setting, and confirm that Long press is set to Power off menu.
How long can a forced restart take?
Samsung’s separate troubleshooting guidance says a simulated battery-pull reboot can take up to 60 seconds, so a result may not appear immediately.
Is Bixby necessary for shutdown?
No. Bixby voice is optional. The button combination, Quick-panel icon and Settings path work independently of Bixby voice setup.
When should I contact Samsung?
If the phone remains unable to turn off, restart or respond after the documented normal and forced procedures, follow Samsung’s support and service guidance.
The Bottom Line
For a working Galaxy, hold Side + Volume Down, then choose Power off or Restart. To restore the old long-press behavior, use Settings → Advanced features → Side button/Side key → Long press → Power off menu. If the phone is frozen, hold the same buttons for more than seven seconds to force a restart; if it still will not respond, contact Samsung Support.
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