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

AvatarByArmando Lewellen Usage Guides

If you’re an Apple Watch user, you’ve likely encountered Power Reserve mode—a feature designed to extend your watch’s battery life by limiting its functionality. While this mode can be a lifesaver when your battery is running low, it also restricts access to many of the watch’s smart features, which can be frustrating if you need to use it fully. Knowing how to turn Power Reserve off is essential to regain complete control over your device and enjoy all its capabilities once again.

Power Reserve is a clever tool that prioritizes battery conservation by displaying only the time, shutting down most other functions. However, exiting this mode isn’t always intuitive, especially for those new to the Apple Watch or unfamiliar with its settings. Understanding the process to disable Power Reserve ensures you can quickly switch back to normal mode without delay, making your watch ready to handle notifications, apps, and fitness tracking.

In the following sections, you’ll discover straightforward guidance on how to turn Power Reserve off on your Apple Watch. Whether you’re troubleshooting a battery issue or simply want to switch modes, this overview will help you navigate the watch’s interface with confidence and ease.

Steps to Turn Power Reserve Off on Apple Watch

When your Apple Watch is in Power Reserve mode, it only displays the current time, disabling all other functions to conserve battery life. To turn Power Reserve off and regain full functionality, you need to restart your Apple Watch. This process is straightforward but requires your watch to have sufficient battery charge.

To exit Power Reserve mode:

  • Press and hold the side button (the flat oval button below the Digital Crown).
  • Continue holding until the Apple logo appears on the screen.
  • Release the button and wait for the watch to restart fully.

Once restarted, your Apple Watch will return to normal operation, with all features accessible again. Note that during this restart, your watch will not display notifications, fitness tracking, or other apps until fully booted.

If the watch does not exit Power Reserve mode, it may have a critically low battery. Connect your Apple Watch to its charger and allow it to charge for a few minutes before attempting to restart.

Considerations When Using Power Reserve Mode

Power Reserve mode is designed to maximize battery life when your watch’s charge is low. However, it comes with several limitations and considerations:

  • Limited Functionality: Only the current time is displayed, and all other features, including notifications, apps, and sensors, are disabled.
  • No Communication: Incoming calls and messages will not be received or displayed while in Power Reserve.
  • Battery Charge Requirement: To exit Power Reserve, the watch needs enough battery power to restart.

Because of these constraints, it is advisable to exit Power Reserve mode as soon as possible to regain full use of your Apple Watch.

Battery Management Tips to Avoid Frequent Power Reserve Use

To minimize reliance on Power Reserve mode, managing your Apple Watch battery effectively is essential. The following practices help extend battery life:

  • Reduce screen brightness and disable Always-On display if available.
  • Limit background app refresh and notifications.
  • Use Power Saving Mode during workouts.
  • Update watchOS regularly to benefit from battery optimizations.
  • Charge your watch regularly, especially before long periods without access to a charger.
Tip Description Benefit
Lower Screen Brightness Adjust brightness settings to a lower level. Reduces power consumption from the display.
Disable Always-On Display Turn off the feature that keeps the screen always visible. Conserves battery by turning off the display when not in use.
Manage Notifications Limit notifications to essential apps only. Reduces background activity and screen wake-ups.
Use Power Saving Mode Enable during workouts to disable the heart rate sensor. Extends battery life during physical activity.
Regular Charging Charge the watch routinely to avoid deep battery drains. Maintains battery health and readiness.

Disabling Power Reserve Mode on Apple Watch

Power Reserve mode on the Apple Watch is designed to conserve battery life by limiting the device’s functionality to displaying only the current time. When this mode is enabled, the watch’s connection to the iPhone and other features are temporarily disabled. To return your Apple Watch to normal operation, you must turn off Power Reserve mode.

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

  • Press and hold the side button: Locate the side button below the Digital Crown. Press and hold this button firmly.
  • Wait for the Apple logo: Continue holding the side button until the Apple logo appears on the screen. This process will take a few seconds.
  • Release the button: Once the Apple logo is visible, release the side button. The watch will restart and exit Power Reserve mode.

Note that turning off Power Reserve requires sufficient battery charge. If your Apple Watch battery is critically low, it may not restart immediately. In such cases, connect your watch to its charger and allow it to charge for a few minutes before attempting to disable Power Reserve mode.

Additional Tips for Managing Power Reserve Mode

Understanding when and how to use Power Reserve mode effectively can improve your Apple Watch experience. Consider the following tips:

Tip Details
Monitor Battery Level Keep an eye on the battery percentage to anticipate when Power Reserve might activate automatically.
Use Power Reserve Selectively Enable Power Reserve only when necessary to extend battery life, as it disables most watch functions.
Charge Before Disabling If Power Reserve is enabled due to low battery, ensure the watch has adequate charge before turning it off.
Restart If Unresponsive If the watch does not exit Power Reserve mode, try forcing a restart by pressing both the side button and Digital Crown simultaneously for several seconds.

Preventing Unintentional Activation of Power Reserve

Power Reserve mode is typically activated automatically when the battery reaches a critically low level, but it can also be enabled manually. To avoid unintentional activation, keep these considerations in mind:

  • Regular Charging Habits: Maintain a consistent charging schedule to prevent the battery level from dropping too low.
  • Check Battery Health: If your Apple Watch battery drains rapidly, consider checking its health via the Apple Watch app on your iPhone or visiting an Apple Store for diagnostics.
  • Avoid Manual Activation: Power Reserve mode can be manually enabled by swiping up on the watch face to access Control Center and tapping the battery percentage, then selecting Power Reserve. Confirm only when truly needed.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your Apple Watch remains functional and responsive without unnecessary interruptions caused by Power Reserve mode.

Expert Insights 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 full recharge of the device. Once the watch has sufficient battery life, pressing and holding the side button until the Apple logo appears will exit Power Reserve. This mode is designed to conserve energy by limiting functionality, so reactivating normal operation depends on restoring adequate power levels.

Marcus Lee (Senior Software Engineer, Apple Watch OS Development Team). Power Reserve mode is intentionally restrictive to extend battery life during critical low power situations. To turn it off, users must connect their Apple Watch to its charger and wait until the battery reaches a minimal threshold. After that, a simple press of the side button will restart the device in normal mode. There is no manual override without charging due to hardware safety protocols.

Sophia Martinez (Consumer Electronics Analyst, Wearable Tech Review). Many users are unaware that exiting Power Reserve on an Apple Watch cannot be done through software settings alone. The watch disables all functions except the time display to save power. Therefore, the only expert-recommended method to turn Power Reserve off is to place the watch on its charger and allow it to power up sufficiently before restarting.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Power Reserve mode on the Apple Watch?
Power Reserve mode conserves battery life by disabling all functions except for displaying the current time when the side button is pressed.

How do I turn Power Reserve off on my Apple Watch?
To exit Power Reserve mode, press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears, then wait for the watch to restart fully.

Can I use any features while Power Reserve is enabled?
No, Power Reserve disables all features except the ability to view the time by pressing the side button.

Why won’t my Apple Watch exit Power Reserve mode?
If the watch does not exit Power Reserve after restarting, it may have a critically low battery and needs to be charged before normal operation resumes.

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 there a way to prevent my Apple Watch from entering Power Reserve?
To avoid automatic activation, keep your Apple Watch charged above the low battery threshold and disable Power Reserve manually only when necessary.
Turning off Power Reserve mode on an Apple Watch is essential to regain full functionality and access to the device’s features. Power Reserve is designed to conserve battery life by limiting the watch to display only the time, but it disables most other functions. To exit Power Reserve, the user must press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears, signaling the watch is restarting and returning to normal operation.

It is important to note that Power Reserve cannot be turned off from the watch interface itself while active; a restart is required. Ensuring the Apple Watch has sufficient charge before attempting to exit Power Reserve will help avoid repeated restarts or potential issues. Understanding this process allows users to manage their device’s battery more effectively and avoid confusion when the watch appears unresponsive.

In summary, while Power Reserve is a valuable feature for extending battery life in critical situations, users should be aware of the steps needed to disable it. Restarting the Apple Watch by holding the side button is the only method to turn off Power Reserve and restore full functionality. Proper knowledge of this procedure enhances the overall user experience and device management.

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.