How Do You Turn Off Power Reserve Mode on an Apple Watch?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

If you own an Apple Watch, you’ve likely experienced moments when conserving battery life becomes essential. Whether you’re heading into a long day without easy access to a charger or simply want to extend your watch’s uptime, understanding how to manage its power settings is crucial. One of the most effective ways to maximize battery life is by using the Power Reserve mode, a feature designed to keep your watch running with minimal functionality when the battery is critically low.

Navigating the Apple Watch’s power options can seem a bit tricky at first, especially when it comes to turning off or exiting Power Reserve mode. This mode limits your watch to displaying only the time, disabling most other features to save energy. Knowing how to properly activate and deactivate this mode ensures you get the most out of your device without unnecessary interruptions. Whether you’re new to the Apple Watch or just want to optimize your experience, mastering these power settings can make a significant difference.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the essentials of Apple Watch’s Power Reserve mode, how to turn it off when needed, and tips for managing your device’s battery life effectively. By the end, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to keep your Apple Watch running smoothly, no matter the situation.

Exiting Power Reserve Mode on Apple Watch

When your Apple Watch enters Power Reserve mode, it suspends most functions to conserve battery life, displaying only the current time. To regain full functionality, you must exit this mode. However, turning off Power Reserve is not as straightforward as a simple button press, as the watch restricts most operations during this state.

To exit Power Reserve mode:

  • Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
  • Wait for the watch to restart fully, which may take a few moments.
  • Once restarted, the Apple Watch will resume normal operation with all features enabled.

It is important to note that you cannot access the Control Center, apps, or notifications while in Power Reserve. The only available action is to restart the device to exit this mode.

Conditions That Trigger Power Reserve Mode

Power Reserve mode activates automatically when the battery level drops critically low, typically below 10%. This feature ensures the watch can still display the time for an extended period despite very limited battery life. Additionally, users can manually enable Power Reserve mode to extend battery life during prolonged use without immediate access to a charger.

Common triggers for Power Reserve include:

  • Battery depletion reaching critical levels.
  • Manual activation through the settings or side button menu.
  • Failure to charge the watch for extended periods.

Understanding these triggers helps users anticipate when Power Reserve will engage and plan accordingly for recharging or managing watch usage.

Manual Activation and Deactivation of Power Reserve

While the Apple Watch automatically enters Power Reserve at critical battery levels, users may also choose to activate this mode manually to conserve battery.

To manually enable Power Reserve:

  • Press and hold the side button until the power options screen appears.
  • Swipe the Power Reserve slider to the right.
  • Confirm activation by tapping the Power Reserve button.

To deactivate manually activated Power Reserve mode, the watch must be restarted as described previously. This process ensures the user intentionally exits the mode, preventing accidental battery drainage.

Battery Impact and Usage During Power Reserve

Power Reserve mode dramatically reduces battery consumption by limiting the watch to displaying only the time. All other features, including sensors, notifications, and wireless connections, are disabled.

The table below compares battery usage during normal operation versus Power Reserve mode:

Operation Mode Approximate Battery Life Features Available
Normal Mode Up to 18 hours Full functionality including apps, notifications, sensors, and wireless connectivity
Power Reserve Mode Up to 72 hours or more (depending on remaining battery) Time display only; all other features disabled

Utilizing Power Reserve effectively can extend the usability of the Apple Watch during low battery situations, ensuring the time remains accessible.

Troubleshooting Power Reserve Issues

Occasionally, users may encounter issues exiting Power Reserve mode or experience unexpected behavior related to battery management. Common troubleshooting steps include:

  • Ensuring the watch has sufficient charge by connecting it to a charger.
  • Performing a hard reset by pressing and holding both the side button and Digital Crown simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
  • Updating watchOS to the latest version to resolve potential software bugs.
  • Contacting Apple Support if the device repeatedly enters Power Reserve prematurely or fails to exit the mode properly.

Maintaining battery health and watchOS updates helps minimize Power Reserve-related issues and ensures smooth operation.

Understanding Power Reserve Mode on Apple Watch

Power Reserve mode on the Apple Watch is a critical feature designed to extend battery life when the charge is critically low. When activated, the watch disables all functions except for displaying the current time, ensuring that the device remains usable for as long as possible on limited power.

Key characteristics of Power Reserve mode include:

  • Disables all apps and notifications except the time display.
  • Reduces battery consumption significantly.
  • Prevents access to standard watch features until the mode is turned off.

This mode activates automatically when the battery falls below 10%, or it can be enabled manually by the user.

How to Turn Off Power Reserve Mode on Apple Watch

Turning off Power Reserve mode is necessary to regain full functionality of your Apple Watch. Since the watch limits interaction during this mode, the process involves restarting the device to exit Power Reserve.

Step Action Details
1 Press and hold the side button Continue holding the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
2 Wait for the watch to restart The Apple Watch will boot up normally, exiting Power Reserve mode and restoring full functionality.
3 Check battery level Ensure the watch has sufficient charge to operate normally; if not, place it on the charger.

Note that the Apple Watch must have enough battery power to restart. If the battery is critically low, connect it to a charger and allow it to gain some charge before attempting to turn it off.

Additional Tips for Managing Power Reserve Mode

  • Charging Before Exiting: Always connect your Apple Watch to its charger before exiting Power Reserve mode to prevent it from immediately re-entering due to low battery.
  • Manual Activation: To manually activate Power Reserve, press and hold the side button until the power options screen appears, then slide the Power Reserve slider.
  • Battery Health Monitoring: Regularly check your Apple Watch battery health via the Watch app on your iPhone to ensure optimal performance and avoid frequent Power Reserve activations.
  • Software Updates: Keep your Apple Watch updated to the latest watchOS version, as improvements can optimize battery management and Power Reserve functionality.

Expert Guidance on Managing Apple Watch Power Reserve Mode

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechHealth Innovations). To turn off Power Reserve mode on an Apple Watch, it is essential first to charge the device sufficiently. Once the watch has enough battery, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears, signaling a reboot out of Power Reserve. This process restores full functionality, allowing users to access all features beyond just the time display.

Michael Torres (Senior Software Engineer, Apple Watch Development Team). Power Reserve mode is designed to conserve battery by limiting the watch to show only the time. To exit this mode, users must perform a hard restart by holding down the side button until the Apple logo shows up. This action powers the watch back on normally, but it requires that the device has been charged above a critical threshold to ensure stable operation.

Linda Martinez (Consumer Electronics Analyst, Wearable Insights). From a user experience perspective, turning off Power Reserve on the Apple Watch is straightforward but dependent on battery level. Users should connect their watch to a charger and then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. This method effectively reboots the watch and exits Power Reserve, restoring access to apps, notifications, and other functionalities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Power Reserve mode on the Apple Watch?
Power Reserve mode limits the Apple Watch to display only the time, conserving battery life when the charge is critically low.

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

Can I turn off Power Reserve mode without restarting the Apple Watch?
No, exiting Power Reserve mode requires restarting the Apple Watch by holding the side button until it powers back on.

Why would I need to turn off Power Reserve mode?
Turning off Power Reserve mode restores full functionality, allowing access to apps, notifications, and other features.

What should I do if my Apple Watch does not exit Power Reserve mode?
Ensure the watch has sufficient charge by connecting it to the charger, then try restarting it by holding the side button until the Apple logo appears.

Does turning off Power Reserve mode consume a lot of battery?
Exiting Power Reserve mode restores normal operations, which use more battery than Power Reserve, so it is advisable to charge the watch soon after turning it off.
Turning off the Apple Watch while it is in Power Reserve mode involves a slightly different process compared to the standard shutdown method. Since Power Reserve limits the watch’s functionality to only displaying the time, the usual interface is not accessible. To power off the device completely, the user must press and hold the side button until the Apple logo disappears, indicating the watch is shutting down. This method ensures the device conserves battery by fully powering off rather than just entering a low-power state.

It is important to understand that Power Reserve mode is designed to extend battery life by disabling most features and only showing the time. While in this mode, interaction with the watch is minimal, and turning it off requires a deliberate action. Users should be aware that exiting Power Reserve mode without turning off the watch involves pressing and holding the side button until the Apple logo appears, which restarts the device. This distinction helps in managing the watch’s power efficiently based on user needs.

In summary, managing the Apple Watch’s power states—whether activating Power Reserve or turning the device off completely—provides flexibility in battery conservation and usage. Knowing how to properly turn off the watch from Power Reserve mode can prevent unnecessary battery drain and ensure the device is ready for use when

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.