Low Power Mode on Apple Watch: How to Turn It On

To turn on Low Power Mode on an Apple Watch, open the Settings app on the watch, tap Battery, then toggle on Low Power Mode. You can also enable it from Control Center by tapping the battery percentage icon and then tapping the Low Power Mode toggle. This feature extends battery life by disabling or limiting certain features, and it is available on Apple Watch Series 5 and later (except SE 1st generation).

What Low Power Mode Does

Low Power Mode on Apple Watch reduces power consumption by temporarily disabling or limiting several features. According to Apple, when Low Power Mode is on, the watch disables the always-on display, background heart rate and blood oxygen measurements, and the heart rate notifications for irregular rhythm and high/low heart rate. It also limits Wi-Fi and cellular connections, and disables the always-on altimeter. The watch will still show the time, receive notifications, and track workouts, but some functions like the compass, blood oxygen app, and ECG may take longer to complete or require the app to be open.

This mode is useful when you need to stretch battery life, such as during a long day away from a charger, a long flight, or a multi-day hike. Apple states that Low Power Mode can extend battery life from the typical 18 hours to up to 36 hours on supported models, depending on usage.

How to Turn It On (Step-by-Step)

There are two main ways to enable Low Power Mode on your Apple Watch:

• From Settings: Press the Digital Crown to go to the home screen, tap the Settings app (gear icon), tap Battery, then toggle on Low Power Mode. You’ll see a confirmation message explaining what will be disabled; tap Turn On.
• From Control Center: Swipe up from the bottom of the watch face to open Control Center. Tap the battery percentage icon (shows a percentage and a battery symbol). Then tap the Low Power Mode toggle (a battery icon with a small leaf). Confirm by tapping Turn On.

After turning it on, you’ll see a small yellow battery icon at the top of the watch face. The watch will automatically exit Low Power Mode when the battery reaches 80% during charging, or you can turn it off manually the same way you turned it on.

Which Models Support Low Power Mode?

Low Power Mode is available on Apple Watch Series 5 and later, including Apple Watch SE (2nd generation). However, it is not available on the first-generation Apple Watch SE. The feature requires watchOS 9 or later. If you have an older model like Series 4 or earlier, you won’t see the option. Here’s a quick compatibility list:

• Apple Watch Series 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 (and future models)
• Apple Watch SE (2nd generation)
• Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2
• Not supported: Series 4 and earlier, SE (1st generation)

If you’re unsure which model you have, go to Settings > General > About on the watch, or check the back of the watch for the model number.

What Gets Disabled or Limited

When Low Power Mode is active, several features are affected. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what changes:

• Display: The always-on display is turned off. You’ll need to raise your wrist or tap the screen to see the time.
• Heart rate: Background heart rate measurements are disabled, and high/low heart rate notifications are turned off. However, you can still manually take a heart rate reading by opening the Heart Rate app.
• Blood oxygen: Background blood oxygen measurements are disabled, and the Blood Oxygen app may take longer to get a reading.
• Workout metrics: Some workout metrics like pace and distance may be less frequent, and the always-on altimeter is disabled. GPS and heart rate during workouts still work, but the watch may check them less often.
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi and cellular connections are limited. The watch may not receive notifications as promptly, and Siri may take longer to respond.
• Other: Fall detection and crash detection are still active, but the watch may take longer to process them. The compass and ECG app may take longer to get results.

Despite these limitations, you can still use the watch to tell time, receive calls and messages (if connected to your iPhone), track workouts, and use most apps. The watch will still record workout data, and you can sync it later.

Common Misconceptions and Troubleshooting

Many users wonder if Low Power Mode affects workout tracking. It doesn’t stop workout tracking, but it may reduce the frequency of heart rate and GPS readings, which can make the workout data less detailed. If you’re doing a serious workout, you might want to keep Low Power Mode off for more accurate metrics.

Another common issue is that Low Power Mode doesn’t appear in Control Center. This can happen if your watch is not supported (e.g., Series 4 or earlier) or if watchOS is not updated to 9 or later. To check, go to Settings > General > Software Update on the watch, or update via the iPhone’s Watch app.

If you turn on Low Power Mode and the watch still drains quickly, check if you have cellular enabled or if you’re using GPS-heavy apps. Low Power Mode helps, but it’s not a magic fix for a degraded battery. If your battery health is below 80%, consider replacing the battery.

How to Turn It Off

Turning off Low Power Mode is just as easy. You can go to Settings > Battery and toggle off Low Power Mode, or open Control Center and tap the battery icon, then tap the Low Power Mode toggle again. The watch will also automatically turn off Low Power Mode when it charges to 80% or higher. If you want to keep it on until you manually turn it off, you can ignore the auto-off and just toggle it back on after charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Low Power Mode stop notifications?

No, you’ll still receive notifications, but they may be delayed because the watch checks for updates less frequently. If you have cellular on, notifications may come through more reliably, but Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are still used when possible.

Can I still use the ECG app in Low Power Mode?

Yes, but the ECG app may take longer to get a reading because the watch’s sensors are in a lower power state. It still works, but you may need to keep your finger on the crown longer.

Will Low Power Mode affect my workout rings?

No, your Activity rings will still update normally. The watch still tracks your movement and exercise, though the heart rate data may be less frequent, which could affect calorie estimates slightly.

Does Low Power Mode work on Apple Watch Ultra?

Yes, Apple Watch Ultra and Ultra 2 support Low Power Mode. On Ultra models, it can extend battery life to up to 60 hours on a single charge, compared to the standard 36 hours.

Is Low Power Mode the same as the Power Reserve mode?

No, they are different. Power Reserve mode (available on all models) turns off all features except the time display, while Low Power Mode keeps most functionality but reduces power usage. Low Power Mode is a more flexible option for extended use.

Why is Low Power Mode not available on my watch?

If you have an Apple Watch Series 4 or earlier, or the first-generation SE, Low Power Mode is not supported. Also, make sure your watch is running watchOS 9 or later. If you have a supported model but still don’t see the option, restart the watch or check for software updates.

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