Low Power Mode saves your battery by throttling performance and pausing background tasks, but it's annoying when you want full speed back. If you're wondering how do I turn off low power mode, you can disable it instantly through your iPhone Settings, the Control Center, or by charging your device past 80%.
When left on permanently, this setting delays email delivery, stops automatic app updates, and dims your screen animations. This guide walks you through every method to switch off battery saver mode, fix unresponsive toggles, and manage your iPhone power settings effectively.
Three Ways to Turn Off Low Power Mode
You don't need to dig through nested menus to disable battery saver. Depending on how you prefer to navigate your phone, you can use the Settings app, the Control Center shortcut, or automated charging behavior.
1. Using the Settings App
The most reliable method to disable low power mode is through your main system settings.
- Unlock your iPhone and open the grey Settings app.
- Scroll down and tap on Battery.
- Locate the Low Power Mode toggle switch at the very top of the screen.
- Tap the switch so it slides to the left and turns grey.
Once you flip this switch, your status bar battery icon turns from yellow back to white or black, and your processor immediately returns to standard performance speeds.
2. Using the iOS Control Center
If you want a faster shortcut, you can add Low Power Mode directly to your Control Center for one-tap access.
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (on Face ID models) or swipe up from the bottom edge (on Touch ID models) to open the Control Center.
- Look for the battery icon button. If it's glowing white or amber, low power mode is active.
- Tap the icon once to turn it off.
If you don't see the battery toggle in your Control Center, open Settings, tap Control Center, and add the Low Power Mode control to your active widgets list.
3. Automatic Disabling via Charging
You don't always have to turn off the feature manually. Apple designed iOS to manage this state based on your battery level.
- Plug your iPhone into a Lightning cable, USB-C cable, or a wireless charging pad.
- As soon as your battery charge level climbs past 80%, iOS automatically disables low power mode on its own.
- You'll see a brief notification on your lock screen confirming that normal power mode has resumed.
Why Your Low Power Mode Won't Turn Off
Sometimes your phone refuses to let you turn off battery saver. This usually happens due to specific software states or hardware conditions designed to protect your device.
The Charge Level Exception
If your phone is currently dead or critically low on power, forcing performance back up would cause the device to shut down instantly. While you can manually toggle the switch off, iOS may immediately re-enable it if the battery percentage remains in the single digits. Plug the phone into a power source for at least ten minutes before attempting to change the setting.
Thermal Throttling and Temperature Limits
Extreme heat or cold forces your iPhone into a protective state. If your phone's internal temperature exceeds normal operating limits, iOS restricts performance and may lock certain power settings to prevent permanent hardware damage. Move your phone out of direct sunlight or remove a thick insulating case, let it cool down for five minutes, and try disabling the mode again.
Software Glitches After an iOS Update
Major operating system updates occasionally scramble user preferences or cause UI glitches where settings toggles freeze. If your toggle is unresponsive:
- Perform a force restart on your iPhone. Press and quickly release the Volume Up button, press and quickly release the Volume Down button, then press and hold the Side power button until the Apple logo appears.
- Once the phone reboots, navigate back to Settings > Battery and try turning off the switch.
For official troubleshooting steps on device power management, check the Apple Support Battery Guide.
What Changes When Low Power Mode Is Off?
Disabling battery saver restores your iPhone to its full operational capacity. It's helpful to know what changes instantly take effect once you turn the feature off:
- Background App Refresh: Apps can once again check for new data, update feeds, and download content over Wi-Fi or cellular data while running in the background.
- Email Fetching: Your Mail app stops waiting for manual refreshes and resumes pulling new messages automatically in the background.
- ProMotion and Display Refresh Rates: On compatible ProMotion models like the iPhone Pro lineup, your display returns to its smooth 120Hz refresh rate instead of being capped at 60Hz.
- Visual Effects: System animations, dynamic wallpapers, and visual transitions regain their full fluidity.
- Auto-Lock Timer: Your screen timeout returns to your custom user preference rather than defaulting to a strict 30-second lock window.
Managing Battery Health for the Long Term
Relying on low power mode every day can be tedious, but keeping your screen at maximum brightness and letting background apps run unchecked will drain your battery fast. To strike a balance between performance and longevity, adjust a few core settings:
- Limit background app refresh only to essential messaging and navigation apps by going to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
- Reduce your screen brightness manually or enable Auto-Brightness under Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
- Check your battery health percentage under Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. If your maximum capacity has dropped below 80%, your phone will shut down unexpectedly regardless of power modes, and replacing the battery is the only permanent fix. For more tips on preserving lithium-ion health, review the Energy.gov Battery Efficiency Guidelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does low power mode ruin your battery life over time?
No. Low power mode actually reduces the thermal and electrical strain on your lithium-ion battery by lowering processor voltage and screen draw. Using it frequently helps preserve long-term battery health rather than harming it.
Can I set low power mode to turn on automatically every day?
Yes. You can automate this feature using the native Shortcuts app. Create a personal automation triggered by a specific time of day or when your battery drops below a chosen percentage, and set it to toggle Low Power Mode without manual input.
Why does my phone get laggy when low power mode is on?
The mode deliberately underclocks your central processing unit (CPU) by roughly 40% to save energy. This prevents power spikes during demanding tasks, which makes scrolling and app opening feel noticeably slower.
Will turning off low power mode delete my data?
No. Disabling battery saver only restores background syncing, visual effects, and full processor speeds. It has zero impact on your photos, messages, apps, or stored files.
