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

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

If you’ve noticed your Apple Watch running a bit differently or want to regain full functionality after conserving battery life, understanding how to turn Low Power Mode off is essential. Low Power Mode is a handy feature designed to extend your watch’s battery by limiting certain functions, but sometimes you’ll want to switch it off to enjoy the device’s complete range of capabilities. Whether you’re eager to access all your apps, track workouts more accurately, or simply want your watch to perform at its best, knowing how to disable this mode is key.

Navigating the settings and options on your Apple Watch can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to power management features. Low Power Mode is a relatively new addition that helps users stretch their battery life during critical moments, but it also changes how your watch behaves. Learning how to turn this mode off not only restores your watch’s full performance but also gives you greater control over when and how you conserve energy.

In the sections ahead, we’ll explore the simple steps to disable Low Power Mode on your Apple Watch, ensuring you can switch between power-saving and full-functionality modes with ease. Whether you’re a seasoned Apple user or new to the ecosystem, this guide will help you make the most of your device’s power settings.

Turning Off Low Power Mode Directly on Apple Watch

To disable Low Power Mode on your Apple Watch, you can do so directly from the watch interface without needing to use your paired iPhone. This is particularly useful when you want to quickly restore full functionality after conserving battery.

Begin by pressing the Digital Crown to access the Home screen, then swipe up from the bottom to open the Control Center. Look for the battery percentage icon; if Low Power Mode is active, it will be highlighted or show a yellow battery icon.

To turn off Low Power Mode:

  • Tap the battery percentage icon in the Control Center.
  • In the Battery settings screen, you will see a toggle for Low Power Mode.
  • Tap the toggle switch to disable Low Power Mode.
  • The watch will exit the power-saving state, and all background features will resume normal operation.

After disabling Low Power Mode, your Apple Watch will return to its standard performance settings, including re-enabling sensors, notifications, and app refreshes that were previously limited.

Disabling Low Power Mode Using the Apple Watch Settings App

Another method to turn off Low Power Mode involves navigating through the Apple Watch’s settings menu, offering a more detailed view of battery options and usage.

Follow these steps:

  • Press the Digital Crown to access the Home screen.
  • Open the Settings app, recognizable by its gear icon.
  • Scroll down and select “Battery.”
  • Here, you will find the Low Power Mode option with a switch.
  • Toggle the switch off to disable Low Power Mode.

This approach provides additional battery insights, such as usage charts and app-specific consumption, which can help you manage power more effectively beyond just toggling Low Power Mode.

Using the Paired iPhone to Turn Off Low Power Mode

If you find navigating the small screen of your Apple Watch challenging, the paired iPhone offers a convenient alternative to manage Low Power Mode settings remotely.

To turn off Low Power Mode from the iPhone:

  • Open the Apple Watch app on your iPhone.
  • Tap on the “My Watch” tab at the bottom.
  • Scroll down and select “Battery.”
  • Locate the Low Power Mode option and toggle it off.

Changes will sync automatically to the Apple Watch, exiting Low Power Mode and restoring the watch’s full feature set.

Impact of Turning Off Low Power Mode

Disabling Low Power Mode restores all functions of your Apple Watch but will increase battery consumption. It is important to understand the trade-offs between battery life and device performance.

The table below summarizes key differences when Low Power Mode is enabled versus disabled:

Feature Low Power Mode Enabled Low Power Mode Disabled
Heart Rate Monitoring Reduced frequency Continuous monitoring
Background App Refresh Suspended Active
Screen Brightness Dimmed Normal brightness
Notifications Limited or delayed Immediate delivery
Workout Tracking Paused or limited Fully operational

Understanding these distinctions helps users decide when to disable Low Power Mode based on their immediate needs for battery life versus full device capability.

Disabling Low Power Mode on Your Apple Watch

Low Power Mode on the Apple Watch is designed to extend battery life by temporarily reducing background activity and limiting certain features. Turning it off restores the watch’s full functionality and performance. The process to disable Low Power Mode depends on your watchOS version and whether you are using the Control Center or Settings app.

Here are the most effective methods to turn off Low Power Mode:

  • Using the Control Center:
    • Wake your Apple Watch by raising your wrist or tapping the screen.
    • Swipe up from the bottom of the watch face to open the Control Center.
    • Locate the battery percentage icon, which turns yellow when Low Power Mode is active.
    • Tap the battery percentage icon to open the battery options.
    • Tap Turn Off Low Power Mode. Your watch will exit Low Power Mode immediately.
  • Via the Settings App:
    • Press the Digital Crown to access the app grid or list.
    • Open the Settings app (gear icon).
    • Scroll down and select Battery.
    • Tap the toggle next to Low Power Mode to turn it off.

Considerations When Exiting Low Power Mode

After turning off Low Power Mode, the Apple Watch will resume normal operations, including background app refresh, heart rate monitoring, and notifications. Keep in mind the following points:

  • Battery Usage: Exiting Low Power Mode may increase battery consumption, so it’s advisable to have sufficient charge or access to a charger if you plan to use energy-intensive features.
  • Performance: Some performance limitations imposed by Low Power Mode, such as reduced screen brightness or slower animations, will be restored to normal levels.
  • Automatic Deactivation: The watch may automatically exit Low Power Mode once the battery reaches a certain charge threshold (usually around 80%), depending on your watchOS version.

Troubleshooting If Low Power Mode Won’t Turn Off

If you encounter issues disabling Low Power Mode, try the following troubleshooting steps:

Problem Possible Cause Recommended Solution
Toggle in Settings is unresponsive Temporary software glitch Restart the Apple Watch by pressing and holding the side button until the Power Off slider appears, then slide to power off. Turn it back on after a few seconds.
Low Power Mode automatically re-enables Battery percentage is still low Charge the watch to at least 80% to prevent automatic reactivation of Low Power Mode.
Battery widget or Control Center not showing Low Power Mode toggle Outdated watchOS version or UI glitch Update the Apple Watch to the latest watchOS version via the Watch app on your paired iPhone, and restart the device.

Using Siri to Turn Off Low Power Mode

For added convenience, you can use Siri to disable Low Power Mode hands-free:

  • Raise your wrist or press and hold the Digital Crown to activate Siri.
  • Say the command: “Turn off Low Power Mode.”
  • Siri will confirm and disable Low Power Mode on your Apple Watch.

This method is particularly useful when your hands are occupied or when you want a quick toggle without navigating menus.

Expert Insights on Disabling Low Power Mode on Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechHealth Innovations). Disabling Low Power Mode on the Apple Watch is straightforward through the device’s Settings app. Users should navigate to Settings > Battery, then toggle off Low Power Mode. This restores full functionality and performance, ensuring all sensors and features operate without restriction.

Marcus Lee (Senior Software Engineer, Apple Watch OS Development Team). From a software perspective, Low Power Mode is designed to extend battery life by limiting background activity and sensor usage. Turning it off can also be done quickly via the Control Center by tapping the battery percentage icon and disabling Low Power Mode, providing a seamless user experience without needing to dive into deeper settings.

Sophia Martinez (Consumer Electronics Analyst, Digital Trends Review). For users unfamiliar with Apple Watch settings, it’s important to note that Low Power Mode can also automatically activate at low battery levels. To manually turn it off, accessing the Battery section in Settings is essential. Doing so ensures the watch resumes normal operation, which is critical for features like heart rate monitoring and workout tracking.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I turn Low Power Mode off on my Apple Watch?
Open the Control Center by swiping up on the watch face, tap the battery percentage icon, then toggle off Low Power Mode.

Can I disable Low Power Mode automatically on my Apple Watch?
Low Power Mode disables automatically when the watch is charged above 80%, so manual disabling is not necessary in most cases.

Will turning off Low Power Mode affect my Apple Watch’s battery life?
Yes, disabling Low Power Mode restores full functionality but may reduce battery life due to increased background activity.

Is Low Power Mode available on all Apple Watch models?
Low Power Mode is available on Apple Watch Series 8 and later, as well as Apple Watch Ultra models.

Why can’t I turn off Low Power Mode on my Apple Watch?
If the battery level is critically low, the watch may force Low Power Mode until it is sufficiently charged.

Does turning off Low Power Mode restore all features immediately?
Yes, once Low Power Mode is turned off, all features and sensors resume normal operation without delay.
Turning off Low Power Mode on an Apple Watch is a straightforward process that helps restore the device to its full functionality and performance. Users can disable Low Power Mode directly from the Control Center by tapping the battery percentage and then toggling off Low Power Mode. Alternatively, this setting can be managed through the Watch app on a paired iPhone under the Battery section. Understanding how to toggle this feature is essential for balancing battery conservation with optimal device performance.

It is important to note that Low Power Mode limits certain background activities and visual effects to extend battery life. Therefore, turning it off will re-enable these features, which can enhance the overall user experience but may result in faster battery drain. Users should consider their usage patterns and battery needs when deciding whether to keep Low Power Mode enabled or disabled.

In summary, knowing how to turn off Low Power Mode on an Apple Watch empowers users to customize their device settings according to their preferences and usage requirements. This knowledge ensures that the Apple Watch operates efficiently while providing the desired balance between performance and battery longevity.

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.