Can you switch a smartphone off?

[sigstroker]

I was more or less forced to get a smartphone for a specific function. Once that's done, I'm pretty much tossing the thing.

There's a way to turn it on. There doesn't seem to be a way to turn it off. Is that typical?

[IronsightsRifleman]

Try holding the power key and the volume down key for 5 seconds. You should then see an options menu to power off.

[TKM]

Some batteries are easier to pull than others. What did they stick you with?

[Notpc]

I was more or less forced to get a smartphone for a specific function. Once that's done, I'm pretty much tossing the thing.

There's a way to turn it on. There doesn't seem to be a way to turn it off. Is that typical?

Read the instructions or google your phone model. iPhone, you can go to settings, general, scroll to bottom, Shut Down. A screen will pop up with a slider to turn off. I have an older iPhone (8), and I just hold the button on the upper right to shut it off. I don't know if the newer phones are the same. Is it really off? There is some debate over that.

[operavoice]

You can increase battery life and disable most of the apps by keeping the phone in power saving mode.
I do this with mine. 8 apps work: calls, texts, internet (with restricted speed), clocks (alarms, etc), settings, camera, gallery, and calculator.
If I want or need more, I take it off of "dumb mode" temporarily.

[hermosabeach]

i phone- no way to power off

Faraday cage or play a video on max volume, set under a pillow to muffle until battery is flat


The off mode is actually standby... still has internal power

[Dan_Eastvale]

Tossing the thing?

Just smash it and toss it in a bucket of water

[sigstroker]

Try holding the power key and the volume down key for 5 seconds. You should then see an options menu to power off.

It only turned the volume all the way down and rebooted.

I'll just let the battery die. If I ever need it again, I'll charge it.

[Notpc]

It only turned the volume all the way down and rebooted.

I'll just let the battery die. If I ever need it again, I'll charge it.

What model is it?

[bohoki]

just put it on airplane mode

[sigstroker]

What model is it?

No idea. There's no brand or model on it.

[ldsnet]

If the phone is an Android, swipe top down twice,
1st time gets you the shortcut to the settings menu, the 2nd swipe shows the icons menu and includes the power icon on the top bar. That shutdown button will lock the drive and actually power down.

[Epaphroditus]

Sounds like a boating accident is imminent!

[hermosabeach]

grab one of these- dump out the stuff being stored in the tin...

Call and text from a different phone... Is the signal blocked?




or a pouch to keep it safe

https://www.amazon.com/SIMKET-Faraday-Phones-Blocking-Blocker/dp/B0BZCFXN8X/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=faraday+bag&qid=1697582230&sr=8-8

Simket Faraday Bags for Phones and Car Key 2 Pack, Signal Blocking Pouch, Cell Phone Signal Jammer, Car Key/WiFi/RFID/GPS Signal Blocker

[bwiese]

There is a 'long hold' power on/off button on typical smartphones (dunno how iPhones do it now though).

HOWEVER THAT IS NO PROOF THAT YOUR PHONE IS FULLY OFF: a firmware build may just shutdown the display/Android etc. On many phones the actual
'phone' section is a separate device & part of RF data modem which can
run on its own if arranged to.

Even a phone that is honestly 'off' still may have a micrcontroller in low power mode monitoring switch inputs, controlling boot modes, etc.

If you want to ensure your phone is TRULY off and/or unusable:
- rip the battery out;
- OR shut it down as best you can AND put it in a metal box.

Looking at it with a spectrum analyzer, attenuator etc. can also
indicate if it's really off. [It would not surprise me to know if some
phones have a 'geotagged' true on vs stealth-on special firmware
setting.]


A mafia prosecution some yrs ago had the FBI download new firmware
into (IIRC) a 'flip phone' (this was before smartphones). Mafia dude
thought his phone was truly off when he shut it off - but that was just
the display and ringer - in fact, the mike was live.