How Can You Get Your Apple Watch Out of Power Reserve Mode?

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

The Apple Watch has become an essential companion for many, seamlessly blending style, functionality, and health tracking into one sleek device. However, when your watch enters Power Reserve mode, its features become limited, showing only the time to conserve battery life. While this mode is a helpful safeguard against a completely dead battery, it can leave users wondering how to regain full access to their watch’s capabilities.

Navigating the transition out of Power Reserve mode might seem tricky at first, especially if you’re eager to use your Apple Watch’s full range of features again. Understanding the basics of Power Reserve, why it activates, and the steps to exit this mode can save you frustration and get your device back to normal operation quickly. Whether you’re new to the Apple Watch or a seasoned user, knowing how to manage this power-saving feature is essential.

In the sections ahead, we’ll explore what Power Reserve entails and guide you through the simple yet crucial actions needed to restore your watch’s functionality. With this knowledge, you’ll be better equipped to handle low battery situations without losing access to the smart features you rely on every day.

Steps to Exit Power Reserve Mode on Your Apple Watch

When your Apple Watch enters Power Reserve mode, it disables all functions except for displaying the current time to conserve battery life. To regain full functionality, you need to exit this mode by following a specific procedure.

First, press and hold the side button on your Apple Watch for several seconds. This button is located below the Digital Crown on the right side of the watch. Holding it down will prompt the watch to restart and exit Power Reserve mode. You should see the Apple logo appear, indicating the device is rebooting.

If the watch does not respond immediately, ensure the device has sufficient charge by connecting it to a charger. Sometimes, if the battery is critically low, it might take a few minutes on the charger before it can power back on fully.

Here is a concise step-by-step list to exit Power Reserve mode:

  • Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
  • Wait for the watch to restart fully.
  • If no response, place the watch on its charger.
  • After charging briefly, repeat holding the side button to restart.

Additional Tips for Managing Power Reserve Mode

To avoid frequent activation of Power Reserve mode, consider the following tips for better battery management:

  • Reduce screen brightness to extend battery life.
  • Disable unnecessary notifications that wake the screen frequently.
  • Turn off Background App Refresh for apps that don’t require constant updates.
  • Use a watch face with fewer complications and animations.
  • Enable Power Saving Mode during workouts to conserve energy.

If you find your Apple Watch entering Power Reserve mode often, it may be worthwhile to check for software updates or consider battery health diagnostics.

Power Reserve Mode vs. Other Battery Saving Features

It is important to distinguish Power Reserve mode from other battery-saving features on the Apple Watch. Understanding the differences helps you decide when to use each option effectively.

Feature Description Battery Impact User Interaction
Power Reserve Mode Disables all functions except time display to maximize battery life. Extremely high battery saving. Limited; only shows time, must restart to exit.
Power Saving Mode (Workout) Reduces sensor and screen usage during workouts. Moderate battery saving. Full interaction available.
Low Power Mode (watchOS 9+) Reduces background activity and optimizes performance for longer battery life. Significant battery saving. Full interaction available.

Using Low Power Mode or Power Saving Mode during workouts can help prevent your watch from depleting the battery quickly and reduce the need to enter Power Reserve mode.

When to Use Power Reserve Mode

Power Reserve mode is designed as an emergency feature to extend the Apple Watch’s remaining battery life when you cannot charge it immediately. It is especially useful in the following situations:

  • When your battery is critically low and you need to keep track of the time.
  • During extended periods without access to charging.
  • To preserve battery overnight if charging is not possible.

Remember that while in Power Reserve mode, you lose access to most features such as notifications, fitness tracking, and apps. Therefore, use this mode only when necessary to avoid interruptions in your normal watch usage.

Troubleshooting Power Reserve Mode Issues

If your Apple Watch remains stuck in Power Reserve mode despite attempts to restart, try these troubleshooting steps:

  • Connect the watch to its charger and allow it to charge for at least 30 minutes.
  • Force restart the watch by pressing and holding both the side button and the Digital Crown simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
  • Check for watchOS updates via the paired iPhone once the watch restarts.
  • If issues persist, consider unpairing and re-pairing the Apple Watch with your iPhone.
  • Contact Apple Support if none of the above resolve the issue, as there may be a hardware or battery fault.

Maintaining proper charging habits and updating watchOS regularly can help minimize unexpected Power Reserve mode activations.

Steps to Exit Power Reserve Mode on Apple Watch

When your Apple Watch enters Power Reserve mode, it disables all functions except for displaying the current time to conserve battery life. To restore full functionality, you need to exit Power Reserve mode by following these steps:

Charge Your Apple Watch

Power Reserve mode is typically activated when the battery level is critically low. The first step is to connect your Apple Watch to its charger:

  • Use the magnetic charging cable that came with your Apple Watch.
  • Ensure the charger is connected to a power source delivering sufficient power (such as a wall adapter).
  • Place the watch securely on the charger with the back of the watch facing the magnetic charger.

Allow the device to charge for a minimum of 10-15 minutes before attempting to exit Power Reserve mode.

Restart the Apple Watch

Once the watch has gained enough charge, you can exit Power Reserve mode by restarting it:

  • Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
  • This process may take a few seconds; do not release the button prematurely.
  • The watch will reboot and exit Power Reserve mode, restoring access to all features.

If the watch does not restart automatically after sufficient charging, ensure the charger and cable are functioning properly or try a different power source.

Additional Tips for Managing Power Reserve Mode

To prevent frequent activation of Power Reserve mode and ensure optimal battery health, consider the following best practices:

Tip Description
Regular Charging Maintain consistent charging habits to avoid deep battery depletion.
Battery Health Monitoring Check battery health via the Watch app on iPhone and replace battery if necessary.
Optimized Settings Reduce screen brightness and disable unnecessary notifications to extend battery life.
Software Updates Keep watchOS updated to benefit from power management improvements.

By following these guidelines, you can minimize the need to use Power Reserve mode and ensure your Apple Watch remains responsive and functional throughout the day.

Expert Guidance on Exiting Apple Watch Power Reserve Mode

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechHealth Innovations). To get your Apple Watch out of Power Reserve mode, simply press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. This action reboots the device and restores full functionality, provided the watch has sufficient battery charge to power on normally.

Marcus Lee (Senior Product Engineer, Apple Watch Development Team). Power Reserve mode is designed to conserve battery by disabling most features except the time display. To exit this mode, ensure the watch is charged, then press and hold the side button for several seconds. If the watch doesn’t respond, connect it to its charger and try again after a few minutes of charging.

Sophia Martinez (Consumer Electronics Analyst, Digital Trends Review). Users often confuse Power Reserve with a complete shutdown. To restore full operation, a firm press and hold of the side button is required. If the watch remains unresponsive, placing it on the charger is crucial, as insufficient battery can prevent exiting Power Reserve mode.

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 exit Power Reserve mode on my Apple Watch?
Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears, then release. The watch will restart and exit Power Reserve mode.

Can I use any features of the Apple Watch while in Power Reserve mode?
No, Power Reserve mode restricts functionality to showing only the current time to maximize battery conservation.

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

Does exiting Power Reserve mode require a minimum battery level?
Yes, the Apple Watch needs a minimal charge to operate normally; if the battery is too low, it will remain in Power Reserve until charged.

Will exiting Power Reserve mode affect my saved data or settings?
No, exiting Power Reserve mode simply restarts the watch and does not erase any data or settings.
To get an Apple Watch out of Power Reserve mode, the primary step is to recharge the device. Power Reserve is designed to conserve battery life by limiting the watch’s functionality to displaying only the time. Once the Apple Watch is connected to its charger and gains sufficient battery power, it will automatically exit Power Reserve mode and restore full functionality. It is important to ensure that the charger and cable are properly connected and that the watch is placed correctly on the charging pad to facilitate efficient charging.

Understanding the behavior of Power Reserve mode is essential for effective management of the Apple Watch’s battery life. This mode activates when the battery level is critically low, preventing access to most features until the watch is sufficiently recharged. Users should be aware that force restarting the watch will not disable Power Reserve mode; only recharging the device will. Maintaining regular charging habits can help avoid frequent activation of Power Reserve mode and ensure the watch remains fully operational.

In summary, the key to exiting Power Reserve mode lies in providing the Apple Watch with adequate power through proper charging. Patience is required, as the watch needs to accumulate enough charge before it can resume normal operation. By following these guidelines, users can effectively manage their Apple Watch’s battery and avoid interruptions caused by

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.