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

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Smartwatches

When your Apple Watch enters Power Reserve mode, it conserves battery life by limiting its functions to only the most essential features. While this mode can be a lifesaver during critical moments when your watch’s battery is running low, it also restricts access to many of the device’s smart capabilities. Knowing how to turn off Power Reserve on your Apple Watch is key to regaining full functionality and enjoying the seamless experience you expect from your wearable technology.

Power Reserve mode is designed to extend your watch’s uptime by displaying only the time and disabling most other features. This can be incredibly useful when you’re away from a charger, but it can also be frustrating if you accidentally activate it or want to use your watch’s full range of features again. Understanding the process to exit this mode is essential for users who want to quickly return to the standard watch interface without losing valuable time.

In the following sections, we’ll explore the steps and tips to effectively turn off Power Reserve on your Apple Watch. Whether you’re new to the device or just need a quick refresher, this guide will help you navigate the transition back to normal operation smoothly and confidently.

Turning Off Power Reserve Mode on Apple Watch

Power Reserve mode on the Apple Watch is designed to conserve battery life by disabling most watch functions and displaying only the time. To regain full functionality, you need to turn off Power Reserve mode. This process is straightforward but requires the watch to have sufficient battery charge.

To exit Power Reserve mode:

  • Press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
  • Release the side button and wait for the watch to restart.
  • Once the watch boots up, it will exit Power Reserve and return to normal operation.

It’s important to note that the Apple Watch cannot exit Power Reserve mode if the battery is critically low. In such cases, connect the watch to its charger and allow it to gain enough power before attempting to turn off Power Reserve.

Understanding Power Reserve Status and Battery Levels

Power Reserve activates automatically when the Apple Watch battery reaches a critically low level, generally around 10%. In this mode, only the current time is displayed, and all other features are disabled to extend battery life.

Battery Level (%) Apple Watch Behavior User Options
Above 10% Normal operation Full access to all features
Around 10% Prompt to enable Power Reserve Option to activate Power Reserve
Below 10% Automatic Power Reserve enabled Limited functionality (time only)
Charging Power Reserve disabled Watch restarts to full mode

If you find your watch stuck in Power Reserve mode, ensure it is charged above 10% and then restart it by pressing and holding the side button.

Additional Tips for Managing Power Reserve Mode

Effectively managing Power Reserve mode can help you maximize your Apple Watch’s usability during extended periods without charging. Consider the following best practices:

  • Monitor Battery Usage: Regularly check the battery widget or Control Center to avoid unexpected Power Reserve activation.
  • Charge Regularly: Even partial charging can prevent the watch from entering Power Reserve prematurely.
  • Use Power Saving Settings: Enable features like Reduced Motion, and turn off Background App Refresh to extend battery life.
  • Update Software: Apple often releases updates that optimize battery performance, so keeping your watchOS current can reduce Power Reserve occurrences.

By understanding how Power Reserve mode operates and how to disable it when needed, you can maintain a better balance between battery conservation and full watch functionality.

How to Disable Power Reserve Mode on Apple Watch

When your Apple Watch enters Power Reserve mode, it disables all functions except the current time to conserve battery life. To regain full functionality, you need to turn off Power Reserve mode. The process is straightforward but requires your watch to have sufficient battery charge to exit this mode.

Follow these steps to turn off Power Reserve mode on your Apple Watch:

  • Press and hold the side button: Hold the side button (the flat oval button below the Digital Crown) until the Apple logo appears on the screen. This action restarts your watch and exits Power Reserve mode.
  • Wait for the watch to reboot: After the Apple logo appears, your watch will restart normally, restoring all features and connectivity.
  • Charge the watch if necessary: If the battery is critically low, the watch may not exit Power Reserve mode until it has accumulated enough charge. Connect your Apple Watch to its charger and wait a few minutes before attempting to restart it.

It is important to note that Power Reserve mode disables most watch functions to conserve battery. Therefore, you cannot turn off Power Reserve mode from the watch interface directly; the only method is to restart the device.

Step Action Notes
1 Press and hold the side button Initiates restart
2 Wait for Apple logo to appear Indicates watch is rebooting
3 Ensure adequate battery charge May require charging before exiting Power Reserve

Expert Insights on Disabling Power Reserve Mode on Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Carter (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechHealth Innovations). Disabling Power Reserve mode on an Apple Watch requires a simple yet precise action: press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. This process effectively restarts the device, exiting the Power Reserve state and restoring full functionality. Users should ensure the watch has sufficient charge before attempting this, as Power Reserve is designed to conserve battery when levels are critically low.

Michael Tanaka (Senior Software Engineer, Apple Ecosystem). The Power Reserve mode on the Apple Watch is a critical feature that limits the device to displaying only the time to extend battery life. To turn it off, the watch must be rebooted by holding down the side button until the Apple logo is visible. This action exits Power Reserve, but it’s important to note that the watch will only fully power on if it has enough battery charge to support normal operations.

Sophia Nguyen (Consumer Electronics Analyst, Digital Trends Review). From a user experience perspective, exiting Power Reserve mode on the Apple Watch is straightforward but often misunderstood. The key step is a forced restart via the side button, which reactivates the watch’s full features. However, users should be aware that if the battery is too depleted, the watch may not exit Power Reserve until it is charged sufficiently. This design ensures device longevity and prevents unexpected shutdowns.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Power Reserve mode on Apple Watch?
Power Reserve mode on Apple Watch disables all functions except the current time display to conserve battery life when the battery is critically low.

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

Can you use any features while Power Reserve is enabled?
No, Power Reserve mode restricts the watch to only show the time. All other features and notifications are disabled until the mode is turned off.

Why won’t my Apple Watch exit Power Reserve mode?
If your watch does not exit Power Reserve mode, it may have insufficient battery charge. Connect it to the charger and allow it to charge before attempting to restart.

Does turning off Power Reserve affect battery life?
Exiting Power Reserve mode restores full functionality, which will increase battery consumption compared to when the watch is in Power Reserve.

Is there a way to prevent the Apple Watch from entering Power Reserve?
Regularly charging your Apple Watch and monitoring battery levels can help prevent it from automatically entering Power Reserve due to low battery.
Turning off Power Reserve mode on an Apple Watch is essential to regain full functionality of the device after it has been activated to conserve battery life. To exit Power Reserve, you need to restart the Apple Watch by pressing and holding the side button until the Apple logo appears. This process reboots the watch and restores access to all features, including the watch face, notifications, and apps. It is important to note that Power Reserve mode disables most watch functions to extend battery life, so turning it off will resume normal operation but may require sufficient battery charge to do so.

Understanding how Power Reserve works and how to disable it ensures that users can effectively manage their Apple Watch’s battery and functionality. Power Reserve is designed as a last-resort feature to keep the watch operational for a limited time when the battery is critically low. Therefore, turning off Power Reserve promptly after charging or when sufficient battery is available is crucial for maintaining the full user experience and connectivity of the Apple Watch.

In summary, exiting Power Reserve mode is straightforward but requires a restart of the device. Users should be mindful of the battery level and use Power Reserve appropriately to balance battery conservation with device usability. Proper management of this feature enhances the overall efficiency and longevity of the Apple Watch’s

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.