How to Use the Tamagotchi Uni’s Software Pause Option and Wake It Again
To pause a Tamagotchi Uni, open its startup restore menu by pressing the recessed reset button while holding A and C, then choose OFF. To wake it, press and hold the middle B button. The OFF option is a software feature reported in updated Uni firmware; it is not a regular option in the everyday menu. Update first, and treat this as a temporary stop: the device clock does not keep time while it is off, so you may need to set the time when you return. Community instructions with photos
Before you pause: check the software version
The OFF option was reported by Uni owners after a software update; it may not appear on a new or not-yet-updated device. The official manual explains how to check for and install updates: connect the Uni to Wi-Fi, open the Network icon, choose UPDATE, then check for an available update. If prompted, let the installation finish before trying the pause sequence. The current manual says an update requires stable Wi-Fi and sufficient battery or a charging connection; Bandai warns against turning off the device during installation because an interruption may prevent a proper update or cause play data to disappear. Official Uni instruction manual, Bandai update guidance
Locate the reset button and front controls
The reset button is a small recessed button on the back of the Uni. The pause method requires pressing it while holding the front A and C buttons. Use a thin tool that fits the recess, such as a pin; press gently enough to activate the button without forcing the tool. Keep your fingers on A and C as you press reset. Community instructions describe slightly different timing: one says hold A and C while pressing reset, and another says press reset, then immediately hold A and C. In both versions, the essential check is to keep A and C held through startup until the restore menu appears. Step-by-step community post
Enter the OFF option
- With the Uni on, press the recessed reset button on its back while holding the front A and C buttons together.
- Release the reset button, but keep holding A and C as the device restarts. Continue through the startup screen and sound.
- When the restore menu appears, use the on-screen button prompts to select OFF and confirm.
The exact menu labels and prompts may vary with software versions or language settings. Read the screen before confirming. Community instructions describe an OFF choice alongside restore or continue options; select OFF specifically. Do not choose a reset or restore choice when your goal is simply to pause, since those are separate menu actions. The Uni’s official manual describes update and ordinary operation, but does not document this button combination, so this procedure is based on user-documented behavior rather than a published Bandai walkthrough.
Wake the Uni and set the clock
When you are ready to resume, press and hold the middle B button until the screen turns on. If the device presents a restore menu, choose CONTINUE rather than a reset option. Community reports say the clock stops while the Uni is switched off. After a long pause, check the time and correct it if needed: hold A on the standby screen to access the clock adjustment, then follow the on-screen controls. The official manual also directs users to set the date and time after updating, so check the clock after either an update or a pause. Community report on waking and stopped clock, official manual
If OFF does not appear
If the restore menu only offers options such as CONTINUE or RESET, do not choose one at random. First check that the Uni has completed its software update; the OFF option was reported as added in a firmware update, and community guides identify outdated software as a common reason it is missing. Then try again, making sure A and C remain held throughout startup. Check that you are pressing the recessed reset button on the back, not one of the front buttons by mistake. If the menu still lacks OFF after updating and repeating the sequence, consult Bandai’s official support or Uni FAQ rather than experimenting with reset choices. Bandai Uni FAQ, community instructions
Choose OFF or the sitter for your break
Use OFF when you want the device fully switched off and do not need its clock to keep running. Choose the in-game sitter instead when you only need a short break and want the device to remain on. The sitter is an ordinary gameplay feature, while OFF is accessed through the startup restore menu. The choice depends on whether you want the Uni running during the absence; OFF requires the button sequence again when you want to stop play. The software pause is useful for a longer interruption, but remember that the clock will need checking when you restart. This distinction is an inference from the reported off behavior and the manual’s separate in-game features; the manual does not compare the sitter and OFF as pause modes.
A simple pause-and-resume checklist
Before pausing, make sure no update is in progress, and save the reset sequence: hold A and C while pressing reset, keep holding them through startup, then choose OFF. When returning, hold B to wake the Uni, select CONTINUE if asked, and check the displayed time. If OFF is absent, verify the update status and repeat the sequence carefully; avoid selecting RESET as a workaround. This routine keeps the task focused on stopping and restarting the device without confusing its pause function with an update or reset.