Add Low Battery Mode in Settings, Then Customize Control Center

Low Battery Mode is already built into your iPhone, but it does not appear in Control Center by default. You have to add it yourself through Settings. Once you do, you can toggle it on and off from Control Center without opening Settings each time your battery runs low.

The process takes about one minute and works the same way on all recent iPhone models running iOS 13 or later.

Key Takeaways

  • Low Battery Mode reduces power use by limiting background activity, email refresh, and visual effects — it does not delete data or harm your phone.
  • You add Low Battery Mode to Control Center by opening Settings, tapping Control Center, then tapping the plus sign next to Low Battery Mode.
  • Once added, swipe up from the bottom of your screen (or down from the top right on newer iPhones) and tap the battery icon to turn Low Battery Mode on or off.
  • Low Battery Mode can extend your battery life by several hours when you are away from a charger.

Step-by-Step: Adding Low Battery Mode to Control Center

Open the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Control Center.

You will see two sections: "Included Controls" (features already in Control Center) and "More Controls" (features you can add). Scroll down to "More Controls" and look for Low Battery Mode. Tap the green plus sign next to it.

That is all. Low Battery Mode is now in your Control Center. Close Settings and you are done.

How to Use Low Battery Mode from Control Center

Swipe up from the bottom of your screen to open Control Center. On iPhone X and newer, swipe down from the top right corner instead. Look for the battery icon — it looks like a lightning bolt inside a circle.

Tap the battery icon once to turn Low Battery Mode on. The icon will turn yellow when it is active. Tap it again to turn it off. Your phone will also ask you to turn on Low Battery Mode automatically when your battery reaches 20 percent, but you can enable it sooner if you want.

What Low Battery Mode Actually Does

When Low Battery Mode is on, your iPhone reduces power use by slowing down performance slightly, limiting background app refresh, reducing email fetch frequency, and turning off some visual effects like animations. It does not delete photos, messages, or any other data — it only changes how your phone uses power.

You can still use all your apps normally. The slowdown is usually not noticeable in everyday use. Most people see their battery last several hours longer when Low Battery Mode is on.

When to Turn Low Battery Mode On

Turn on Low Battery Mode whenever you know you will be away from a charger for several hours and your battery is below 50 percent. It is especially useful during travel, long workdays, or when you are out without access to power.

You can leave Low Battery Mode on all day if you want — it will not damage your battery or your phone. Some people keep it on permanently to extend the time between charges. Turn it off whenever you have access to a charger or when you need full performance for gaming or video recording.

Troubleshooting: Low Battery Mode Will Not Turn On

If Low Battery Mode is grayed out or will not set up, your battery is probably above 20 percent. Low Battery Mode only works when your battery is at 20 percent or lower. Charge your phone to see if the option becomes available again, or try enabling it manually from Settings instead of Control Center.

If you added Low Battery Mode to Control Center but the icon does not appear, close Control Center completely and open it again. If it still does not show, go back to Settings > Control Center and confirm the plus sign next to Low Battery Mode is no longer there (meaning it has been added).

Other Battery Controls Worth Adding to Control Center

While you are in Control Center settings, consider adding Battery Percentage so you can see your exact battery level at a glance. You might also add Bluetooth and Wi-Fi toggles if you do not have them already — turning these off when you are not using them saves significant battery life.

You can customize Control Center to show only the controls you use most. Rearrange them by holding and dragging the three horizontal lines next to each control in Settings > Control Center.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Low Battery Mode slow down my iPhone permanently?

No. Low Battery Mode only affects performance while it is turned on. Once you turn it off or charge your phone above 80 percent, your iPhone returns to normal speed. The slowdown is temporary and reversible.

Will Low Battery Mode damage my battery?

No. Low Battery Mode actually helps your battery last longer by reducing the strain on it. You can use it as often as you want without harming your phone or battery health.

Can I set Low Battery Mode to turn on automatically?

Yes. Your iPhone will ask you to enable Low Battery Mode when your battery reaches 20 percent. You can also go to Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode and toggle on "Enable Low Power Mode" to have it set up automatically at that threshold.

What is the difference between Low Battery Mode and Battery Saver Mode?

They are the same thing. Apple calls it "Low Battery Mode" on iPhones and "Low Power Mode" in some settings menus, but they refer to the same feature. The name varies depending on which part of Settings you are looking at.

Can I use Low Battery Mode while charging?

Yes. Low Battery Mode will stay on while you charge, though your phone will automatically turn it off once your battery reaches 80 percent. You can turn it back on manually if you want.