Best daily deals

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.

How to turn off your Google Pixel 7a

Why can't you just use the Power button like before?
By
June 12, 2023

Turning off a phone was much simpler, especially with Pixel devices. Modern Pixel phones don’t just power off when you press the power button. By default, this action will bring up Google Assistant. So, how do you turn off your Google Pixel 7a? Read on to find out.

QUICK ANSWER

To turn off your Google Pixel 7a, simultaneously press the power and volume up buttons. The power menu will show up. Tap on Power off.


JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS

Google Pixel 7aGoogle Pixel 7a
AA Editors Choice
Google Pixel 7a
The best sub-$500 camera phone • Solid performance and plenty of RAM • Improved 90Hz display
MSRP: $499.00
The essential Pixel experience
The Pixel 7a delivers more premium features than ever for under $500, such as wireless charging support, a 90Hz refresh rate display, and a 64MP camera.

How to turn off your Google Pixel 7a

We can understand how frustrating it can be to keep pressing and holding the Power button only to pull up Google Assistant. We’ve grown accustomed to this action bringing up the power options, but that’s no longer available by default. However, the new process is just as simple and quick. Here’s how to do it.

  1. Press the power and volume up buttons simultaneously.
  2. Tap on Power off.

How to change what the power button does

Not convinced that Google Assistant is the best use of your power button? You can actually change what the button does when you press and hold it, meaning you can still power off your Pixel 7a the old way with a bit of tinkering. Follow the instructions below to get it done.

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Go into System.
  3. Select Gestures.
  4. Scroll down and pick Press & hold power button.
  5. Change the action to Power menu.

That’s it! The next time you press and hold the power button, Google Assistant won’t appear. Instead, you’ll get the power options screen, and you can turn off your Pixel 7a the same way you’ve done it for many years.

Turn off your Pixel 7a from the notification area

Thankfully, there is more than one way to use the software to turn off your Google Pixel 7a. There is an option right in the notification area.

  1. Slide your finger down the screen to pull out the notification area.
  2. Slide your finger down again to pull up more options.
  3. You will see a Power icon in the lower-right corner. Tap on it.
  4. Tap on Power off.

How to hard reset a Pixel 7a

Are you having issues with your software that prevent you from powering off the device? This often happens when there are software issues, the device freezes, or you can’t get the screen to work. A hard reset is pretty much a method that forces your device to restart with the use of hardware buttons. It’s the simplest method to reboot your Pixel 7a when everything else fails.

  1. Press the power button and hold it.
  2. Keep holding it for around 30 seconds.
  3. After about 30 seconds or so, the screen will turn off, and now you can let go. The device will reboot.

FAQs

It may seem like a silly question, because the power button is obviously for turning off a device, right? Well, Google thinks Assistant might be a better use of the button. You’ll need to press both the power and volume up buttons to pull up the power options and turn off the Pixel 7a. That said, you can change what pressing and holding the power button does in the settings. Go to Settings > System > Gestures > Press and hold the power button and select Power menu.

A hard reset will force a device to reboot, using hardware buttons to trigger the action. Nothing will be deleted. A factory reset or factory data reset will delete everything and bring the device to its factory settings. All your images, settings, accounts, videos, apps, and everything else will be cleared.

You can use the regular method, which involves using the power and volume up buttons. There is also a way to pull up the power options from the notification area. Additionally, you can do a hard reset.

The Google Pixel 7a quickly jumped into our list of the best affordable smartphones. It actually has really good specs, and we believe it might be a better value than the Pixel 6a. In fact, it gets a little too close to the Pixel 7, its higher-end brother.

You may not need to turn off the phone to save significant battery. This is a 5G phone, and 5G data can eat up your battery quickly. Learn how to turn off 5G on the Pixel 7a. We also have a guide with general battery life-saving tips.

Do you need more help finding out cool things to do with your Google Pixel 7a? We have a list of the best Pixel-only features available, as well as a list of great Pixel 7a tips. We also have a full review of the Pixel 7a, if you want to know our thoughts on the device. If you decide to buy it, consider also getting some of the best accessories, chargers, wireless chargers, cases, or screen protectors.

By the way, if you’re feeling like the Pixel 7a isn’t enough, you should also take a look at our Pixel 7 and Pixel 7 Pro reviews. Or if you have an extra $1,800 you’re itching to spend, there’s also the Pixel Fold. We also have a list of the best Pixel 7a alternatives, just in case its bigger brothers don’t quite convince you.