How Can I Get Out of Power Reserve Mode on My Apple Watch?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

If you’ve ever glanced down at your Apple Watch only to find it stuck in Power Reserve mode, you know how frustrating it can be. This feature, designed to extend your watch’s battery life during critical moments, limits functionality to just the time display, leaving you unable to access your favorite apps or notifications. While it’s a helpful safeguard, getting out of Power Reserve mode isn’t always immediately obvious, especially if you’re new to the Apple Watch ecosystem.

Understanding how to exit Power Reserve mode is essential for regaining full control of your device quickly and smoothly. Whether your watch slipped into this mode unexpectedly or you activated it intentionally to conserve battery, knowing the right steps to restore normal operation can save you time and hassle. This article will guide you through the essentials, helping you navigate this feature with confidence.

Before diving into the detailed instructions, it’s important to recognize why Power Reserve mode exists and how it impacts your Apple Watch’s performance. By grasping the basics, you’ll be better equipped to manage your device’s battery life while ensuring you never miss a beat when you need your watch the most.

Exiting Power Reserve Mode on Your Apple Watch

When your Apple Watch enters Power Reserve mode, it conserves battery by only displaying the current time and disabling most other functions. To regain full functionality, you need to exit Power Reserve mode, which requires sufficient remaining battery life.

To exit Power Reserve mode, follow these steps:

  • Press and hold the side button (the flat oval button below the Digital Crown) until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
  • Release the side button and wait as the Apple Watch restarts.
  • Once the watch boots up, it will exit Power Reserve and return to normal operation.

If your Apple Watch does not exit Power Reserve mode after restarting, it likely has a critically low battery. In this case, connect your watch to its charger and allow it to charge for a few minutes before attempting to restart.

Additional Tips for Managing Power Reserve

Managing the Power Reserve mode effectively can help extend your Apple Watch’s usability when the battery is low. Consider these tips:

  • Enable Power Reserve mode manually when you anticipate low battery during the day.
  • Use Low Power Mode in watchOS to reduce background activity before the battery reaches critically low levels.
  • Regularly monitor your battery health and usage patterns to avoid unexpected shutdowns.
Action Description When to Use
Enter Power Reserve Manually activate to conserve battery by showing only the time. Battery below 10%, need to extend remaining time.
Exit Power Reserve Restart the watch by holding the side button to restore full functionality. Battery sufficiently charged, want full access to features.
Charge Apple Watch Connect to charger to replenish battery before exiting Power Reserve. Battery critically low, watch does not restart from Power Reserve.
Use Low Power Mode Reduces background activity to extend battery life without entering Power Reserve. Battery low but not critical, want to maintain functionality longer.

What to Do if Your Apple Watch Won’t Exit Power Reserve

If your Apple Watch remains stuck in Power Reserve mode despite attempts to restart, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

  • Ensure the watch has been charged for at least 30 minutes using the official charger and cable.
  • Force restart the watch by pressing and holding both the side button and Digital Crown simultaneously for about 10 seconds until the Apple logo appears.
  • Check for any physical damage or debris in the charging port that might impede charging.
  • If the watch still does not exit Power Reserve, contact Apple Support or visit an authorized service provider for further diagnostics.

Properly maintaining your Apple Watch battery and understanding how to manage Power Reserve mode can help you avoid extended periods where your device is unusable.

How to Exit Power Reserve Mode on Apple Watch

When your Apple Watch enters Power Reserve mode, it conserves battery by disabling most functions and only displaying the current time. To return your watch to its normal operating mode, follow these expert steps:

Power Reserve mode is designed to extend battery life when the charge is critically low. However, to fully restore functionality, the watch needs to be sufficiently charged and manually rebooted.

  • Charge Your Apple Watch: Connect your watch to its charger and allow it to gain enough battery power. Typically, you need at least a 10% charge to exit Power Reserve mode.
  • Restart the Apple Watch: Once charged, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. This action restarts the device and exits Power Reserve mode.
  • Verify Normal Operation: After reboot, check that the watch face and all functions are accessible, confirming the exit from Power Reserve.
Step Action Details
1 Connect Charger Use the official Apple Watch charger to ensure proper charging.
2 Charge to Minimum Battery Level Wait until the battery indicator shows at least 10% charge.
3 Press and Hold Side Button Hold until the Apple logo appears, signaling restart.
4 Confirm Exit Check if full watch functions are restored and Power Reserve mode is off.

Additional Tips:

  • If the watch does not exit Power Reserve mode after charging and restarting, try leaving it on the charger longer to accumulate more battery.
  • Ensure the charger and cable are functioning correctly, as faulty accessories can prevent proper charging.
  • In rare cases, a software issue may cause the watch to remain stuck in Power Reserve. Contact Apple Support or visit an authorized service provider if problems persist.

Expert Guidance on Exiting Power Reserve Mode on Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechHealth Innovations). To exit Power Reserve mode on an Apple Watch, you must first ensure the device has sufficient battery charge by connecting it to its charger. Once the watch has enough power, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. This process reboots the watch into normal operating mode, restoring full functionality beyond just the time display.

Michael Torres (Senior Apple Watch Software Engineer, Cupertino Labs). Power Reserve mode is designed to conserve battery by limiting features. To get out of this mode, the watch requires a minimum battery level, so charging is essential. After connecting to power, a firm press and hold of the side button will initiate a reboot. Users should avoid force restarting during this mode to prevent potential software glitches.

Sophia Martinez (Consumer Electronics Analyst, Digital Trends Review). The key to exiting Power Reserve on an Apple Watch is patience during charging. Once the device has accumulated enough energy, a simple side button press will transition it back to normal mode. If the watch remains unresponsive, a full charge cycle followed by a restart typically resolves any lingering power state issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Power Reserve mode on the Apple Watch?
Power Reserve mode is a feature that conserves battery life by limiting the Apple Watch to display only the time, disabling all other functions until the device is recharged.

How do I exit Power Reserve mode on my Apple Watch?
To exit Power Reserve mode, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. The watch will then restart and return to normal operation.

Can I use my Apple Watch while it is in Power Reserve mode?
No, Power Reserve mode restricts the watch to show only the current time. All other features and apps are temporarily disabled.

What should I do if my Apple Watch won’t exit Power Reserve mode?
Ensure the watch has sufficient charge by connecting it to its charger. If it still does not exit Power Reserve after charging, try a force restart by pressing and holding both the side button and Digital Crown until the Apple logo appears.

Does exiting Power Reserve mode require a minimum battery level?
Yes, the Apple Watch requires a minimum battery charge to operate normally. If the battery is too low, the watch will remain in Power Reserve mode until it gains enough charge.

Will exiting Power Reserve mode affect my watch’s data or settings?
No, exiting Power Reserve mode simply restarts the watch and does not erase any data or change settings.
Exiting Power Reserve mode on an Apple Watch is essential to regain full functionality and access to the device’s features. To do this, you need to restart the watch by pressing and holding the side button until the Apple logo appears. This process reboots the watch and restores normal operation, allowing you to use apps, notifications, and other capabilities beyond just the time display.

It is important to note that Power Reserve mode is designed to conserve battery life when the charge is critically low. Therefore, before exiting this mode, ensuring that the watch has sufficient battery charge or connecting it to a charger is advisable. This helps prevent the device from immediately reverting to Power Reserve due to insufficient power.

Understanding how to manage Power Reserve mode effectively can enhance your overall Apple Watch experience by balancing battery conservation with usability. By following the proper steps to exit Power Reserve, users can quickly transition back to full functionality without unnecessary delays or complications.

Author Profile

Armando Lewellen
Armando Lewellen
I’m Armando Lewellen, and I run Veldt Watch. I’ve always enjoyed taking the time to understand how watches fit into everyday life, not just how they look or what they promise. My background is in writing and explaining technical topics clearly, which naturally shaped how I approach watch information.

Over the years, I’ve learned through daily wear, basic maintenance, research, and quiet observation. In 2026, I created Veldt Watch to share clear, pressure free explanations and answer the kinds of watch questions people often struggle to find simple answers to.