It’s your worst nightmare come to life. After the mandatory 90-minute internal pep talk for a 30-minute run, you’re finally ready to get out the door. Just then, disaster strikes. The music app on your Apple Watch is lagging. Will your intrusive thoughts keep you company instead?

Sometimes, it’s not that deep — just try turning your watch off and on. All you have to do is hold down the power button on the side until you see the power menu, tap the digital power button, or slide it if you have a pre-OS 9 model. Then, hold down the power button to turn your watch back on, and you should be good to go.

If you’re still confused, don’t panic! In this short and sweet guide, we’ll show you exactly how to restart an Apple Watch (with pictures!) and answer all your burning watch-related questions.

How to Restart Your Apple Watch

In tech, like in life, oftentimes the best way to do something is the most obvious way. Here’s how to restart your Apple Watch depending on your watch series.

Series 1 To 8 and SE

If you have a Series 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or SE Apple Watch, use the following steps to restart your watch.

1. Make sure your Apple Watch is not charging.
2. Press the side button at the bottom right of your watch.

Press the side button. Source

3. You should see three sliders pop-up: Power Off, Power Reserve and Lock Device.

Slide the Power Off option. Source

4. Slide from left to right on the Power Off option.
5. Your watch should show a black screen.
6. Hold down the side button until the Apple logo appears.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t always cut it. Sometimes you need the extra juice of a force restart. Luckily it’s just an extra step.

1. Hold down the side button and Digital Crown for 10 seconds.

Press both the side button and Digital Crown for 10 seconds. Source

2. Wait until the Apple logo appears.

Voila! You’re all set. There’s nothing a bit of elbow grease and a few screenshots can’t fix.

Series 9 and Ultra

As the owner of a Series 9 or Ultra Apple Watch, you’re a serious smartwatch user. Restart your watch using the following steps:

1. Press the side button until you see the sliders appear.

Press the side button. Source

2. Once the sliders appear, press the power symbol on the top right.

Press the power symbol in the top right corner. Source

3. Swipe the Power Off slider from left to right.

Swipe the Power Off slider. Source

4. Hold down the side button until the Apple logo pops up.

To force restart your Series 9 or Ultra Apple Watch try the following instructions:

1. Hold down the side button and Digital Crown for 10 seconds.

Hold down the side button and Digital Crown. Source

2. Press until the Apple logo reappears.

Press and hold until the Apple logo appears. Source

Ta-da! You’re now ready to do more rugged and capable things (Apple’s words, not mine).

FAQs

The Wrap-Up

Like learning how to brush your teeth or save a PDF in the days of yore, figuring out how to restart your Apple Watch is just another useful life skill in your back pocket. Now you’re armed with the tools you need to best any glitches your Apple Watch may throw at you. Go forth and conquer.

So, do you love your Apple Watch, or does it get a little too finicky on you? Have you tried the restarting trick? Let us know in the comments!

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