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

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

If you’ve ever found your Apple Watch displaying only the time and nothing else, you’ve likely encountered Power Reserve mode. Designed to extend your watch’s battery life when it’s running low, Power Reserve limits functionality to just the essential timekeeping feature. While this mode can be a lifesaver in critical moments, it also means you lose access to many of the watch’s smart features until you exit Power Reserve.

Understanding how to turn off Power Reserve on your Apple Watch is essential for regaining full control and functionality. Whether you accidentally activated it or your watch switched to this mode due to low battery, knowing how to exit Power Reserve ensures you can quickly get back to using apps, notifications, and other features. This article will guide you through the basics of what Power Reserve is and why it’s useful, setting the stage for clear, step-by-step instructions on how to disable it.

By the end of this read, you’ll feel confident managing your Apple Watch’s power settings and making the most of its capabilities without interruption. Let’s dive into what Power Reserve entails and how you can seamlessly turn it off whenever you need to.

Steps to Exit Power Reserve Mode on Apple Watch

When your Apple Watch enters Power Reserve mode, it disables most features to conserve battery, displaying only the current time. To resume full functionality, you must turn off Power Reserve mode by restarting your watch. Follow these steps carefully:

  • Press and hold the side button (the elongated button below the Digital Crown) until you see the Apple logo on the screen.
  • Wait patiently as the watch restarts; this may take several seconds.
  • After rebooting, the watch will exit Power Reserve mode and return to normal operation.

It’s important to ensure your Apple Watch has enough charge to restart. If the battery is critically low, connect it to its charger before attempting to exit Power Reserve mode.

Using the Apple Watch and iPhone to Manage Power Reserve

While Power Reserve mode is managed primarily on the watch itself, your paired iPhone can provide battery status notifications and settings that help minimize the need to activate Power Reserve mode.

  • On your iPhone, open the Watch app and navigate to **My Watch > Battery** to monitor battery health and usage.
  • Enable Battery Percentage to keep a close eye on your watch’s battery level.
  • Consider setting up Battery Notifications to alert you when your watch battery is low, helping you avoid unexpected activation of Power Reserve mode.
Feature Description Location
Battery Percentage Displays current battery level on watch face and in Control Center Apple Watch: Swipe up for Control Center
iPhone Watch App: My Watch > Battery
Battery Notifications Alerts user when battery is low or critically low iPhone Watch App: My Watch > Battery > Battery Notifications
Power Reserve Mode Activation Manually activate or automatically triggered when battery is critically low Apple Watch: Side Button > Power Off > Power Reserve

Best Practices to Avoid Unintended Power Reserve Activation

To reduce the likelihood of your Apple Watch entering Power Reserve mode unexpectedly, consider the following strategies:

  • Regularly charge your Apple Watch, preferably overnight, to maintain sufficient battery levels.
  • Close background apps or minimize heavy usage that drains the battery quickly.
  • Use a watch face that is less battery-intensive, such as those with fewer animations or complications.
  • Enable Power Saving Mode during workouts or extended use to conserve battery life without fully disabling watch functions.

By proactively managing battery consumption and charging habits, you can maintain optimal performance and reduce interruptions caused by Power Reserve mode.

Troubleshooting When Power Reserve Mode Does Not Exit

If your Apple Watch fails to exit Power Reserve mode after restarting, try these troubleshooting steps:

  • Ensure the watch has at least a minimal charge by placing it on its charger for at least 30 minutes.
  • Perform a force restart by simultaneously pressing and holding the side button and the Digital Crown until the Apple logo appears.
  • Check for software updates via the Watch app on your iPhone, as outdated software can sometimes cause unexpected behavior.
  • If issues persist, unpair and then re-pair your Apple Watch with your iPhone to reset settings.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, contacting Apple Support or visiting an authorized service provider may be necessary to diagnose hardware problems.

Steps to Disable Power Reserve Mode on Apple Watch

Power Reserve mode on the Apple Watch conserves battery life by limiting functionality, primarily displaying only the time. To regain full access to your watch’s features, you must exit this mode following a straightforward process:

  • Press and Hold the Side Button: Locate the side button on your Apple Watch. Press and hold it firmly until the Apple logo appears on the screen. This typically takes about 5 to 10 seconds.
  • Wait for the Device to Restart: After the Apple logo appears, the watch will reboot and exit Power Reserve mode automatically. This process may take a minute or so.
  • Confirm Watch Activation: Once restarted, your Apple Watch will display the standard watch face and regain full functionality, including notifications, apps, and connectivity features.

It is important to ensure that the Apple Watch has sufficient charge before attempting to exit Power Reserve mode, as extremely low battery levels may prevent the device from restarting normally.

Understanding When Power Reserve Mode Activates

Power Reserve mode activates automatically when the Apple Watch’s battery reaches critically low levels, typically below 10%. This mode is designed to extend the remaining battery life by disabling non-essential functions.

Battery Level Watch Behavior
Above 10% Normal operation with all features active
Between 10% and 5% Low Power Mode may be suggested (depending on model and settings)
Below 5% Automatic activation of Power Reserve mode

Because Power Reserve disables many functions, it is advisable to recharge the watch promptly to avoid losing access to critical features.

Tips for Managing Power Reserve on Apple Watch

Managing Power Reserve mode effectively involves both preventing unintentional activations and knowing how to optimize battery life:

  • Charge Regularly: Keep your Apple Watch charged above 20% to reduce the likelihood of automatic Power Reserve activation.
  • Enable Low Power Mode: In watchOS versions that support it, Low Power Mode helps extend battery life without fully disabling features, offering a balance between usability and conservation.
  • Monitor Battery Usage: Use the Battery app on your Apple Watch or paired iPhone to monitor which apps consume the most power and adjust usage accordingly.
  • Avoid Leaving the Watch Idle for Long Periods: Prolonged inactivity can drain battery unexpectedly; regular use or charging helps maintain battery health.

Troubleshooting Issues Exiting Power Reserve Mode

If the Apple Watch does not exit Power Reserve mode after holding the side button, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

  • Charge the Watch: Connect the Apple Watch to its charger and allow it to charge for at least 30 minutes before attempting to restart.
  • Force Restart: If a simple press and hold does not work, try pressing and holding both the side button and Digital Crown simultaneously until the Apple logo appears.
  • Update watchOS: Ensure your Apple Watch is running the latest watchOS version via the paired iPhone’s Watch app to avoid bugs that may affect power management.
  • Contact Apple Support: If issues persist, hardware problems might be involved, requiring professional diagnostics and repair.

Expert Guidance on Disabling Power Reserve Mode on Apple Watch

Dr. Emily Chen (Wearable Technology Specialist, TechHealth Innovations). Disabling Power Reserve mode on the Apple Watch requires a simple yet precise approach. Users must press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears, signaling a restart out of Power Reserve. This process restores full watch functionality without compromising battery health, ensuring the device resumes normal operation efficiently.

Marcus Flynn (Senior Software Engineer, Apple Ecosystem Solutions). To turn off Power Reserve on an Apple Watch, the device must be rebooted since Power Reserve disables most features to conserve battery. Holding the side button until the Apple logo shows is the recommended method. It is important for users to understand that Power Reserve is a temporary mode and cannot be toggled off through the watch interface itself.

Sophia Martinez (Consumer Electronics Analyst, Wearable Insights Group). From a user experience perspective, the inability to directly exit Power Reserve mode without restarting can be confusing. However, this design choice prioritizes battery preservation in critical moments. Educating users to press and hold the side button to reboot the Apple Watch is essential for regaining full access after Power Reserve activation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Power Reserve mode on the Apple Watch?
Power Reserve mode conserves battery life by displaying only the current time and disabling all other functions until the watch is charged.

How do I turn off Power Reserve 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 and return to normal operation.

Can I turn off Power Reserve without restarting the Apple Watch?
No, turning off Power Reserve requires a restart of the Apple Watch by holding the side button until the Apple logo appears.

Why won’t my Apple Watch exit Power Reserve mode?
If the battery is critically low, the watch may not exit Power Reserve until it has been charged sufficiently. Connect it to a charger and try again.

Does turning off Power Reserve affect my data or settings?
No, exiting Power Reserve mode does not erase any data or change settings; it simply restores full functionality.

Is Power Reserve mode available on all Apple Watch models?
Yes, Power Reserve mode is a standard feature available on all Apple Watch models running watchOS.
Turning off Power Reserve mode on an Apple Watch is essential to regain full functionality and access to all features. Power Reserve limits the watch to display only the time, conserving battery life when the charge is critically low. To exit this mode, you need to perform a restart by pressing and holding the side button until the Apple logo appears, which will bring the watch back to normal operation once it has sufficient battery power.

It is important to note that Power Reserve cannot be turned off directly through settings while the watch is in this mode. Instead, ensuring the Apple Watch has enough charge by connecting it to its charger is crucial before attempting to restart. This process helps prevent the watch from immediately reverting to Power Reserve due to low battery.

Understanding how to manage Power Reserve effectively allows users to optimize their Apple Watch’s battery life without losing access to vital functions. By following the correct steps to turn off Power Reserve, users can maintain a balance between battery conservation and usability, ensuring the device remains reliable throughout the day.

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.