A force restart is a handy trick you can use to resolve some software issues on your Apple Watch. It is an important step recommended by Apple and can be easily carried out at home, saving you a trip to a service centre. This guide will walk you through the process of force restarting your Apple Watch.
For the process to work correctly, locate the crown and side button on your Apple Watch. Press and hold these buttons together for about 10 seconds. You'll notice your screen goes black and the familiar Apple logo reappears. Once this happens, release the buttons. This method is different from a normal shutdown. It completely shuts everything down, forcibly closing any app or process running in the background.
Luckily, force restarting your Apple Watch does not result in the loss of any personal data stored on the device. After the force restart, your Apple Watch will take a moment or two to reboot before you can reconnect it to your phone. This method, while simple, can solve many common issues on the Apple Watch.
A force restart differs from a regular shutdown, which doesn't entirely cut power to your Apple Watch. Instead, a shutdown only turns off your Apple Watch's display and minimizes power usage. Your Apple Watch remembers the apps you were using and can open them quickly when you switch it back on.
There might occur instances when your device is unresponsive or experiencing glitches. When your Apple Watch freezes, or an app is not working as expected, a force restart can be a powerful solution. It is only recommended when your watch isn't responding as it sometimes could potentially cause data loss.
This section provides instructions on how to turn off an iPhone, based on whether the model has Face ID or not. For models with Face ID, press and hold the side button and a volume button, then drag the slider to the right. Models without Face ID require you to press and hold the side or top button until the slider appears, then drag to shut down. As an alternative method, any iPhone model can be powered off by going to Settings > General > Shut Down.
Often utilized for security reasons, session timeouts help protect user information and prevent unauthorized access to accounts. Timeout settings vary, with most defaults set to 15-30 minutes of inactivity. Most systems notify users when their session is about to expire, offering the opportunity to extend or log back in. It's crucial for users to understand a website's session timeout policy to avoid potentially losing data.
If your Apple Watch's screen is stuck on the Apple logo, initiating a force restart might be beneficial. If the problem persists after a force restart, unpairing your Apple Watch and iPhone, then pairing them again might solve it. This involves accessing the Apple Watch app on your iPhone and following the listed instructions. Be sure to install any available software updates as they often contain bug fixes.
Resetting an Apple Watch without the paired phone can be complicated. If the paired phone is inaccessible, you are advised to reach out to the Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for professional help.