Where to find Battery Saver and how to turn it on
Battery Saver is in Settings under Battery. Open Settings, tap Battery, then tap Battery Saver. Toggle it on. The switch turns green when it is active, and a yellow battery icon appears at the top of your screen to show the mode is running.
Your iPhone will ask you to confirm before turning it on. Tap "Turn On" in the popup. Battery Saver stays on until you turn it off manually or until your battery reaches 80 percent — at which point iOS switches it off automatically.
The whole process takes about 10 seconds. You do not need to restart your phone or close any apps.
Key Takeaways
- Battery Saver is located in Settings > Battery > Battery Saver and turns on with a single toggle.
- When active, Battery Saver shows a yellow battery icon in the status bar at the top of your screen.
- Battery Saver automatically turns off when your battery reaches 80 percent charge.
- The mode reduces background activity, slows performance slightly, and extends battery life by several hours on most iPhones.
- You can turn Battery Saver on at any battery level, though it is most useful below 20 percent.
What Battery Saver actually does to your phone
Battery Saver limits background app refresh, reduces mail fetch frequency, disables automatic downloads, and lowers screen brightness slightly. It also throttles processor speed, which means apps open a bit slower and some tasks take longer to complete. Video playback and photo editing may feel less responsive.
These changes are deliberate trade-offs. By cutting power-hungry features, Battery Saver can extend your battery life by 3 to 5 hours depending on your usage and iPhone model. The performance hit is usually noticeable only if you are gaming, editing video, or running heavy apps.
Calls, texts, and basic browsing work normally. You will not lose data or miss notifications — they just arrive slightly less frequently in the background.
When to turn Battery Saver on and when to turn it off
Turn Battery Saver on when your battery is below 20 percent and you need your phone to last until you can charge it. It is also worth using if you are traveling, away from a charger for most of the day, or in a situation where finding power is difficult.
Turn it off when you are near a charger, when you need full performance (gaming, video calls, photo editing), or when your battery reaches 80 percent — iOS does this automatically anyway. There is no harm in leaving it on longer, but you will notice the slowdown.
Battery Saver does not damage your battery or phone. Turning it on and off repeatedly is safe and does not wear out your device faster.
Why your iPhone might not have Battery Saver
Battery Saver is built into iOS 15.4 and newer. If you have an older version of iOS, the feature does not exist on your phone. Check your iOS version by opening Settings, tapping General, then About. Look for the number next to "Software Version."
If your version is older than 15.4, you can update by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Your phone will check for updates and show you what is available. Plug in your charger before updating, as the process uses battery power.
All iPhone models from iPhone 6s onward support iOS 15.4 and later, so nearly every iPhone in use today can run Battery Saver.
Other ways to save battery without using Battery Saver
If Battery Saver is too aggressive or you want finer control, you can manually turn off individual features. Disable background app refresh in Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Turn off location services for apps that do not need it in Settings > Privacy > Location Services. Reduce screen brightness in Settings > Display & Brightness or by swiping down from the top right and adjusting the brightness slider.
Disabling Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular when you are not using them saves power, though this is less convenient than Battery Saver because you have to remember to turn them back on. Closing apps that run in the background — especially music, maps, and fitness apps — also helps.
These methods work alongside Battery Saver. You can use both at the same time for maximum battery life, though the performance impact will be more noticeable.
Battery Saver and wireless charging
Battery Saver works with wireless charging. You can place your iPhone on a wireless charger while Battery Saver is on, and it will charge normally. Battery Saver does not interfere with the charging process or slow it down.
Battery Saver will turn off automatically once your battery reaches 80 percent, whether you are using a wired charger, wireless charger, or car charger. The mode does not care which type of charger you use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Battery Saver damage my iPhone battery?
No. Battery Saver is designed to reduce stress on your battery by lowering power consumption. Using it regularly does not shorten your battery's lifespan. In fact, keeping your battery from draining to zero percent frequently can help it last longer.
Will I miss calls or texts while Battery Saver is on?
No. Calls and texts come through normally. Battery Saver only delays background tasks like email fetching and app updates. Your phone will still ring and notify you of incoming messages.
Can I turn Battery Saver on before my battery gets low?
Yes. You can turn it on at any battery level. It is most useful below 20 percent, but turning it on earlier will extend your battery life further if you know you will not have access to a charger.
What happens to Battery Saver when I charge my phone to 100 percent?
Battery Saver turns off automatically when your battery reaches 80 percent. If you charge past 80 percent to 100 percent, Battery Saver stays off. You would need to turn it back on manually if your battery drops below 80 percent again.
Does Battery Saver slow down internet speed?
No. Your Wi-Fi and cellular speeds remain the same. Battery Saver may make apps load slightly slower because the processor runs at reduced speed, but your internet connection itself is not affected.