Even though newer Apple Watch models offer better battery efficiency, they may not last through a long trip, a camping weekend, or a day full of workouts. GPS tracking, cellular connectivity, and frequent notifications can all affect how long the battery lasts.
Apple introduced Low Power Mode with watchOS 9 to help users extend their Apple Watch battery life without giving up access to the entire device. It reduces power consumption by limiting certain background activities, sensors, and display features.
In this guide, I’ll explain what Low Power Mode does, which Apple Watch models support it, and how to turn it on in watchOS 27.
What is Low Power Mode on Apple Watch?
Low Power Mode is a built-in battery-saving feature that reduces the power your Apple Watch consumes. It disables or limits selected features so your watch can last longer between charges.
Depending on your Apple Watch model, battery condition, settings, and usage, Low Power Mode can significantly extend battery life. For example, you may get up to 38 hours of battery life for the Apple Watch Series 12 with Low Power Mode enabled. The rugged Apple Watch Ultra 4 offers up to 84 hours of battery life.
I find Low Power Mode particularly useful when I want to preserve battery life during travel or outdoor activities but still need access to the watch’s essential functions.
What features will the Low Power Mode affect?
As I mentioned before, Low Power Mode turns off certain features and reduces background activity. However, it doesn’t disable everything. Some features stop working entirely, while others work less frequently or take longer to respond.
Here’s what changes when you enable Low Power Mode on your Apple Watch.
Features that are turned off:
- Your Apple Watch stops taking Background blood oxygen measurements, including during sleep.
- Background heart rate measurements, including during sleep, are turned off.
- Collection of heart data used for hypertension notifications is disabled.
- Heart rate notifications for irregular rhythm, high heart rate, and low heart rate are turned off.
- Always-On Display no longer stays continuously visible.
- Double Tap and wrist flick gestures are disabled on supported models.
- Your Apple Watch won’t remind you to start a workout automatically.
- Time in Daylight tracking is turned off.
Features that are turned off when your iPhone isn’t nearby
Low Power Mode also changes how your Apple Watch handles connectivity when your paired iPhone isn’t nearby.
- Wi-Fi and cellular connections: These connections are turned off until they’re needed for certain activities.
- Incoming phone calls and notifications: You won’t receive them in real time while your iPhone isn’t nearby. Your Apple Watch retrieves missed calls and notifications periodically, approximately once an hour.
Features that are affected but not completely turned off
- Phone calls: Making a phone call may take longer.
- Background App Refresh: Apps refresh their content less frequently.
- Complications: Information displayed on your watch face updates less frequently.
- Live Activities: Updates appear less frequently.
- Siri: Requests may take longer to process.
- Animations and scrolling: Some animations and scrolling effects may appear less smooth.
If you rely on health measurements, notifications, or automatic workout reminders, consider these limitations before enabling Low Power Mode for an extended period.
Which Apple Watch models support Low Power Mode?
Low Power Mode is a software feature, so you don’t need the latest Apple Watch to use it. You need a compatible model running watchOS 9 or later.
The following Apple Watch models support Low Power Mode:
- Apple Watch Series 4 and later
- Apple Watch SE (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Generation)
- All Apple Watch Ultra models
Important:
Supporting Low Power Mode doesn’t mean every model can install watchOS 27. Older watches may continue to use the feature on an earlier compatible version of watchOS.
How to enable Low Power Mode on your Apple Watch
If your Apple Watch is running watchOS 9 or later, you can enable Low Power Mode from Control Center. The following steps also apply to supported models running watchOS 27.
Method 1: From Control Center
- Press the side button to open Control Center.
- Tap the battery percentage.
- Tap Low Power Mode.
- Scroll down and tap Turn On to enable it.
- You may also see the option Turn On For…, which lets you select a duration, such as one, two, or three days.
When you enable Low Power Mode without selecting a multi-day duration, it generally turns off automatically once the battery charges to 80 percent. If you select a specific duration, the mode can remain enabled for that duration.
When Low Power Mode is active, you’ll see a yellow indicator. The battery percentage control, charging indicator, and Nightstand Mode display also use yellow to indicate the power-saving state.
Method 2: Via Settings
You can also enable Low Power Mode directly from the Settings app.
- Press the Digital Crown to open the app list.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Battery.
- Select Low Power Mode.
- Tap Turn On, or choose a duration if the option is available.
This method is useful if you’re already adjusting your battery settings and want to enable Low Power Mode without opening Control Center.
Note:
Your Apple Watch can prompt you to enable Low Power Mode when the battery level drops to 10 percent or lower. Enable it immediately or dismiss the prompt if you want to continue using your watch normally.
How to automatically enable Low Power Mode during workouts
Workouts can consume significant battery power, particularly when you use GPS tracking or other sensors for extended periods. Apple Watch lets you configure Low Power Mode to activate automatically during workouts on watchOS 27.
Here’s how to enable it:
- Open Settings on your Apple Watch.
- Scroll down and tap Workout.
- Turn on Low Power Mode.
- You may also toggle on Fewer GPS and Heart Rate Readings to preserve battery during outdoor walking, running, or hiking workouts.
Your Apple Watch will then use Low Power Mode during workouts, helping extend battery life during longer exercise sessions.
Some workout measurements, including heart rate and pace, can continue to be recorded. However, certain background measurements and notifications may be limited, so check your workout settings if you depend on specific metrics.
How to turn off Low Power Mode on Apple Watch
When you no longer need to conserve battery, you can return to normal operation.
- Press the side button to open Control Center.
- Tap the battery percentage.
- Tap Low Power Mode to turn it off.
You can also open Settings > Battery and disable Low Power Mode there.
Your Apple Watch will resume its normal feature behavior, subject to your usual settings and the capabilities of your model.
Wrapping up
Low Power Mode remains one of the most useful Apple Watch features for anyone who wants to extend battery life without giving up access to the entire device. It can be particularly helpful when traveling, camping, exercising outdoors, or spending a long day away from a charger.
With support across older compatible watches and newer models running watchOS 27, you don’t need to buy a new Apple Watch just to use this feature.
My recommendation is simple: enable Low Power Mode when battery life matters more than having every background measurement and notification available immediately. For everyday use, you can turn it off whenever you want your Apple Watch to operate normally.
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