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If your battery is draining faster than you’d like, Low Power Mode can be a lifesaver. It’s Apple’s built-in tool designed to help your iPhone last longer by reducing background activity and prioritising essential tasks. Whether you’re on the go, travelling, or simply nowhere near a charger, this feature can squeeze hours of extra time out of your device.
The quick verdict
Low Power Mode is Apple's built-in tool for making your iPhone last longer by cutting background activity, lowering brightness and toning down visual effects. Turn it on in Settings, Control Centre or via Siri whenever you are away from a charger. You can safely leave it on all the time, as it will not damage your device and day-to-day tasks work normally.
Low Power Mode at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What it does | Cuts background activity, brightness and visual effects |
| How to turn on | Settings, then Battery, then Low Power Mode |
| How to tell | Battery icon turns yellow |
| Automatic prompt | At 20%, turns off above 80% |
| Affects performance? | Not significantly for everyday tasks |
| Leave it on? | Yes, it won't damage your iPhone |
If you’re also checking the health of your device, our iPhone Battery Health guide is a useful follow-up.
What Does Low Power Mode Do?
When enabled, Low Power Mode reduces your phone’s power consumption by adjusting several background features. This helps your battery last longer without affecting the core functions you rely on.
Some of the changes include:
- Lower screen brightness
- Reduced background app refresh
- Slower email fetch
- Automatic downloads paused
- Visual effects toned down
- 5G turned off (on older iPhones)
- Apps and tasks prioritised to use less energy
You’ll know it’s turned on because the battery icon turns yellow in the top-right corner.
How Do You Turn Low Power Mode On?
You can activate the feature manually at any time.
Method 1 - Settings:
- Open Settings
- Tap Battery
- Toggle on Low Power Mode
Method 2 - Control Centre:
- Swipe down from the top-right corner
- Tap the Low Power Mode icon (if added)
You can also ask Siri: “Turn on Low Power Mode.”
When Should You Use Low Power Mode?
Low Power Mode is useful anytime you want to prolong battery life. Popular scenarios include:
- Travelling or commuting
- Low signal areas where battery drains faster
- Outdoor events or long work days
- When you’re away from a charger
- Trying to stretch the last 10% of your battery
Your iPhone also prompts you to enable it automatically at 20% and turns it off when charged above 80%.
Does Low Power Mode Reduce Performance?
In most cases, you won’t notice a significant difference. Apps may refresh less often, animations become slightly less smooth, and some background processes pause temporarily. But day-to-day tasks - like messaging, browsing, social media and calling - work normally.
It’s a small trade-off for a sizeable boost in battery life.
Can You Leave Low Power Mode On All the Time?
Yes, you can - many iPhone users do. It won’t damage your device, and it can actually help keep your battery healthy over the long term by reducing unnecessary strain.
The only drawback is losing some convenience features like background refresh and automatic updates, but if you value battery life more, there’s no issue keeping it switched on permanently.
If your battery still isn’t lasting as long as it should, you might want to explore our range of refurbished mobile phones, all fully tested through a 90-point check and a smart alternative to buying new. And if you're ready to move on from your current device, you can trade it in with Envirofone and put the value straight towards your next upgrade.
Frequently asked questions
What does Low Power Mode do on an iPhone?
Low Power Mode lowers screen brightness, reduces background app refresh, slows email fetch, pauses automatic downloads, tones down visual effects and turns off 5G on older iPhones, helping the battery last longer.
How do I turn on Low Power Mode?
Open Settings, tap Battery and toggle on Low Power Mode. You can also swipe down from the top-right corner and tap the Low Power Mode icon in Control Centre if added, or ask Siri to turn it on.
Can I leave Low Power Mode on all the time?
Yes. Many iPhone users leave Low Power Mode on permanently. It will not damage your device and can help keep the battery healthy by reducing strain, though you lose some convenience features like background refresh.
Does Low Power Mode slow down my iPhone?
In most cases you will not notice a significant difference. Apps may refresh less often and animations become slightly less smooth, but messaging, browsing, social media and calling work normally.
Why is my iPhone battery icon yellow?
A yellow battery icon in the top-right corner means Low Power Mode is turned on. Your iPhone prompts you to enable it at 20% and turns it off when charged above 80%.
