Low Power Mode is the yellow battery icon people see when they are running low. Here is exactly what it does, according to Apple, and when it is worth turning on yourself.
How to turn it on
iPhone 15 and later: Settings, Battery, Power Mode, then switch Low Power Mode on or off.
iPhone 14 and earlier: Settings, Battery, then toggle Low Power Mode.
Faster routes: swipe down from the top-right corner and tap the battery icon in Control Center, or say “Siri, turn on Low Power Mode.” If your device supports Adaptive Power and it is on, Low Power Mode turns on when the battery drops below 20%.
What it limits
- Keeps 5G on only for streaming and large downloads (iPhone 12 and 13 only)
- Sets Auto-Lock to 30 seconds
- Reduces display brightness
- Turns off some visual effects
- Pauses iCloud Photos temporarily
- Turns off automatic downloads
- Turns off email fetch
- Turns off Background App Refresh
The battery icon in the status bar turns yellow while it is active, and it switches off by itself when you charge to 80% or higher.
When it helps
On a long day away from a charger, or when you notice your battery fading faster than usual. If the drain is persistent, the cause may be something else: see our guides on iOS 27 battery drain and iPhone battery lifespan.
The trade-offs
Because mail fetch, background refresh and automatic downloads are off, new email and app content may appear later than usual. If you are expecting something time-sensitive, check manually.
Frequently asked questions
Does Low Power Mode damage the battery?
Apple does not suggest that. It reduces background activity.
Why did it turn off at 80%?
That is by design: Apple says it turns off when you charge to 80% or higher.
Sources
Last checked November 3, 2026. Apple changes its instructions between updates, so if a menu looks different on your Mac, check the linked Apple page.