Low power mode was introduced to iPad owners with iOS 15, so the battery could last longer when necessary by reducing performance.
In this article, I will be telling what lower power mode does on iPads specifically, and what features are being limited. How to enable it, disable it, and answer the most commonly asked questions.
What Is Low Power Mode on iPad and What Does it Do?
Low Power Mode on the iPad is a feature that helps conserve battery life by temporarily reducing or adjusting various system functions. When Low Power Mode is activated, the iPad takes specific actions to extend battery longevity, such as:
- Reduces display brightness
- Sets auto-lock to 30 seconds
- Lowers display refresh rate from 120Hz to 60Hz (for iPad Pro’s)
- iCloud photo syncs pause
- Limits motion effects
- Pauses automatic downloads
- Stops email fetch
- Stops application background refresh
It’s a useful feature to ensure that the iPad remains operational for essential tasks when the battery is running low.
How To Turn Low Power Mode Off on iPad
There are two methods: you can go a long way through settings, take the shortcut, or use the control center. Let me show you.
Using Settings:
- Open the Settings app on your iPad.
- Scroll down and tap on Battery.
- Toggle off Low Power Mode to disable it.
Using Control Center:
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to access the Control Center.
- Tap the Low Power Mode icon to toggle it on or off.
When your battery level drops to 20%, iOS will automatically offer you the option to enable low-power mode on your screen. If you don’t, it will offer to enable it again at 10% and then again at 5%.
What should you do if the low power mode icon is missing from your control center?
If you don’t see the Low Power Mode icon in your iPad’s Control Center, you will need to enable it in the settings.
- Open the “Settings” app on your iPad.
- Scroll down and select “Control Center.”
- In the “Control Center” settings, find the “More Controls” section.
- Look for “Low Power Mode” in the list of available controls. If it’s not enabled, you’ll see a green plus (+) button next to it.
- The “Low Power Mode” icon should now be in the control center.
How To Turn On Low Power Mode on iPad Manually
To turn on Low Power Mode on your iPad, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPad.
- Scroll down and tap on Battery.
- Toggle on Low Power Mode.
Alternatively, you can enable Low Power Mode quickly via Control Center:
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to access Control Center.
- Tap the Low Power Mode icon to turn it on.
When Low Power Mode is activated, certain features on your iPad will be temporarily reduced or turned off to conserve battery life.
Low Power Mode Shortcut/Automation on iPad
By default, on iPads and iPhones, the low-power mode is offered at 20%. But with the shortcut app, you can set it to whatever you like. 25%, 30%, 35%, 40% or whatever.
These are the steps you need to take:
- Open ‘Shortcuts’ app.
- Tap on ‘Automation’.
- Tap on ‘New Automation’ or ‘+’.
- Select ‘Battery Level’.
- Select the percentage, e.g., ‘Falls Below 50%’.
- Select ‘Run Immediately’ if you want to turn on the low-power mode automatically.
- Tap ‘Next’.
- Select ‘Set Low Power Mode’.
- Tap ‘Done’
Now, as soon as your iPad battery drops below 50%, low power mode will be enabled.
When Did iPads Get Low Power Mode?
The low-power mode has been available for iPads since iOS 15, which was released on September 20, 2021. If you’ve been using iPads for a while, you might have missed it if you never let your battery drop below 20% (then iOS suggests you enable it).
Can I Keep My iPad On Low Power Mode All The Time?
Yes, you can keep your iPad in low-power mode at all times, if extending battery life is your top priority and you don’t mind the performance trade-offs.
However, if you require optimal performance, need timely notifications, or prefer the complete iOS experience, it may be more suitable to enable low-power mode selectively, such as when your battery is running low or during extended periods without access to a charger.
FAQ
Is Low Power Mode Bad for iPad Battery?
No low power mode on the iPad won’t adversely affect the long-term health and performance of your iPad’s battery.
Why Has My iPad Battery Icon Has Changed To Yellow?
The battery icon turning yellow on your iPad indicates that low power mode is enabled. When your iPad is in low-power mode, the battery icon changes color to yellow to provide a visual indicator.
How Do You Know if Low Power Mode is Enabled?
You can tell if Low Power Mode is enabled on your iPad by looking at the battery icon in the top-right corner of the screen. When Low Power Mode is active, the battery icon will appear yellow.
What happens when I turn off Low Power Mode on my iPad?
When you turn off Low Power Mode on your iPad, certain battery-saving features that were temporarily activated are disabled. This includes restoring background app refresh, mail fetch, automatic downloads, and some visual effects.
Are there alternative methods to conserve battery life without using Low Power Mode?
There are alternative methods to conserve battery life on your iPad without relying on Low Power Mode. You can adjust screen brightness to a lower level, manage background app refresh by disabling it for apps that don’t need real-time updates, and limit location services to conserve power. Turning off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when not in use can also save battery. Additionally, managing push notifications and closing background apps can reduce battery drain. By implementing these practices, you can extend your iPad’s battery life effectively while maintaining functionality tailored to your usage habits.
What should I do if my iPad’s battery drains quickly even after turning off Low Power Mode?
If your iPad’s battery continues to drain quickly even after turning off Low Power Mode, consider checking for battery-intensive apps running in the background or consuming excessive power. Ensure your iPad’s operating system and apps are up to date, as updates often include battery optimizations. You can also try restarting your iPad or performing a full shutdown and restart to reset any background processes that might be draining battery.
Does Low Power Mode affects iPad charging time?
No, Low Power Mode does not directly affect the charging time of your iPad. Charging time is primarily determined by the charger’s wattage, the condition of the charging cable, and any background processes running on the device. While Low Power Mode conserves battery by reducing power consumption, it does not alter the rate at which the iPad charges when connected to a power source.
I'm a writer and editor in iPads & Android Tablets, Windows Tablet section. I'm passionate about technology, especially about tablets. I'm on a mission to assist people in discovering their ideal tablets. In addition, I'm dedicated to producing helpful how-to guides and sharing top-notch tips and tricks. In my early carrier I founded and became and editor at worldoftablet and have been a guest author at many other tech blogs. In wolfoftablet I'm focusing on iPads, Tablets, Apple Pencil, Apps, Reviews, Buyers Guides and Tablet Accessories. In free time I like to play games on my PS5 or iOS.