A method of operating a motor-actuated handheld pressing unit includes actuating a switch to initiate a pressing operation whereby one or more pressing jaws are moved from a starting position to a closed pressing position; automatically releasing the one or more pressing jaws by using a pressing piston when a prescribed pressing force has been reached, the pressing piston being actuated hydraulically by a hydraulic medium; and checking the reaching of the prescribed pressing force by using a pressure sensor to detect the pressure of the hydraulic medium. In an embodiment, the release of the pressing jaws may be interrupted. In an embodiment, a motor moves the jaws from the starting position to the closed pressing position. In an embodiment, the pressing force is continuously measured on intervals of less than one second.