Different ways to restart your Samsung Galaxy

Last Update date : Mar 14. 2025
A person holding a Galaxy phone displaying the Samsung logo on its screen.

You may need to occasionally restart your Galaxy phone or tablet, especially if it’s been acting up or freezing. A restart can also be refreshing if you simply want to start fresh. This process helps clear any minor issues that may arise from time to time. Fortunately, there are several ways to restart your device. You can use the combination of Volume and Side buttons, or you can ask Bixby to handle the restart for you.

Note: Information provided is specific to mobile devices sold in Canada. Screen availability and settings may vary by wireless service provider, software version and model.

Galaxy device's Quick Settings panel showing the Power icon highlighted.

A simple way to restart your Galaxy phone or tablet is to power it off and then turn it back on. You can do this using the Power icon in the Quick Settings panel, by pressing the Side and Volume Down buttons simultaneously, or by asking Bixby to manage the process for you. Once your device is back on, continue using it as usual.

Another effective method to restart your Galaxy device involves using its hardware buttons.

Galaxy phone showing the Side button and Volume button highlighted. Galaxy phone showing the Side button and Volume button highlighted.

Step 1. Press and hold the Side button and the Volume down button simultaneously for a few seconds.

Power menu on a Galaxy device screen showing options for Power off, Restart, Emergency call and Medical info. Power menu on a Galaxy device screen showing options for Power off, Restart, Emergency call and Medical info.

Step 2. When the Power menu appears on your screen, tap Restart.

Confirmation screen displaying a Restart button with a prompt to tap again to restart the Galaxy device. Confirmation screen displaying a Restart button with a prompt to tap again to restart the Galaxy device.

Step 3. Tap Restart again to confirm your decision.

Samsung Galaxy startup screen displaying the Samsung logo and Secured by Knox text. Samsung Galaxy startup screen displaying the Samsung logo and Secured by Knox text.

Step 4. Your device will automatically restart.

If your Galaxy device is freezing or not functioning properly, you can force a restart. This method is particularly useful if the screen becomes unresponsive and normal operations cannot be performed.

Galaxy phone showing the Side and Volume down buttons highlighted. Galaxy phone showing the Side and Volume down buttons highlighted.

Step 1. Press and hold the Volume down button and the Side button simultaneously for about 10 seconds or until the device turns off and then turns back on.

Samsung Galaxy startup screen displaying the Samsung logo and Secured by Knox text. Samsung Galaxy startup screen displaying the Samsung logo and Secured by Knox text.

Step 2. The screen will turn black as the device powers off. Shortly afterward, the Samsung logo will reappear, indicating the device is restarting.

Your Galaxy device can automatically restart at times when you aren't using it, helping to keep it in top condition. This automatic restart closes background apps and cleans the device's memory.

Settings menu on a Galaxy device highlighting the Device Care option. Settings menu on a Galaxy device highlighting the Device Care option.

Step 1. Open the Settings menu. Then, navigate to and tap Device care.

Device Care menu on a Galaxy device showing the Auto optimization option. Device Care menu on a Galaxy device showing the Auto optimization option.

Step 2. Tap Auto optimization.

Auto optimization menu on a Galaxy device showing the Auto restart option. Auto optimization menu on a Galaxy device showing the Auto restart option.

Step 3. Tap Auto restart.

Auto restart menu on a Galaxy device showing the Restart when needed feature turned off. Auto restart menu on a Galaxy device showing the Restart when needed feature turned off.

Step 4. Tap the switch next to “Restart when needed” to enable your device to automatically determine the best time for a restart.

Auto restart menu on a Galaxy device showing the Restart when needed feature turned on. Auto restart menu on a Galaxy device showing the Restart when needed feature turned on.

Step 5. If you prefer, you can decide when the device restarts by tapping switch next to “Restart on schedule”.

Restart on schedule settings on a Galaxy device, displaying an enabled switch with selected day Thursday and set time at 03:00. Restart on schedule settings on a Galaxy device, displaying an enabled switch with selected day Thursday and set time at 03:00.

Step 6. Specify the day(s) and time when the device will restart.

Galaxy device screen displaying a Bixby voice command prompt with options to Reboot or Power off in response to the voice command “restart my phone”.

Bixby can assist when you need to restart your device! Simply give a command, such as “Hi, Bixby, restart my phone” or “Hi, Bixby, restart my tablet”. Bixby will ask for confirmation, and upon receiving it, your device will restart.

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