Where to Find Battery Saver in Settings
Battery Saver is in the Settings app under Battery. Open Settings, tap Battery, then tap Battery Saver. You will see a toggle switch next to "Battery Saver" — tap it to turn the feature on. The toggle will turn green when Battery Saver is active.
On iPhones running iOS 16 or later, you can also turn on Battery Saver from the Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom on older models), find the Battery percentage icon, and tap it. A menu will appear with the option to turn on Battery Saver.
Key Takeaways
- Battery Saver is located in Settings > Battery > Battery Saver, where you toggle it on with a single tap.
- Once turned on, Battery Saver limits background activity, reduces visual effects, and lowers performance until you charge your phone to 80% or higher.
- You can also access Battery Saver from Control Center on iOS 16 and newer without opening Settings.
- Battery Saver turns off automatically when your battery reaches 80%, but you can turn it back on manually at any time.
- Your phone will notify you when Battery Saver activates and when it turns off.
What Battery Saver Does When It's On
When Battery Saver is active, your iPhone makes several changes to extend battery life. Background app refresh slows down, meaning apps running in the background will not check for updates as often. Mail stops fetching new messages automatically and only retrieves them when you open the Mail app. Visual effects like animations and transitions become simpler.
Performance is also reduced — your phone's processor runs at a lower speed, which means apps may take slightly longer to open or respond. Downloads and streaming video quality may be lower. However, calls, messages, and navigation continue to work normally. Battery Saver does not delete data or prevent you from using your phone; it straightforward makes changes that use less power.
When Battery Saver Turns On and Off Automatically
Battery Saver does not turn on by itself unless you set it to do so. You must manually turn it on in Settings or Control Center. Once it is on, Battery Saver will turn off automatically when you charge your phone to 80% or higher. Your iPhone will send you a notification when this happens.
If your battery drops below 20%, your phone may suggest turning on Battery Saver, but it will not set up without your permission. You can turn Battery Saver back on at any point, even if your battery is at 100%. There is no limit to how many times you can toggle it on and off during the day.
Turning Battery Saver Off
To turn off Battery Saver, go back to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver and tap the toggle to turn it off. The toggle will turn gray. You can also turn it off from Control Center by tapping the Battery percentage icon and selecting the Battery Saver option again.
When you turn off Battery Saver, your phone returns to normal performance when ready. Background app refresh resumes, Mail fetches messages automatically again, and visual effects return to their full settings. There is no waiting period or restart required.
How Much Battery Life Battery Saver Actually Saves
The amount of battery time you gain depends on how you use your phone. If you spend most of your time on calls, messages, and web browsing, Battery Saver may add a few hours to your battery life. If you use apps that run in the background constantly — like fitness trackers, music streaming, or location services — the savings can be more noticeable.
Battery Saver is most useful when you are away from a charger and your battery is low. Many people turn it on when their battery reaches 30% to 40% to stretch the remaining charge through the rest of the day. Others leave it on all day if they know they will not have access to a charger soon.
Common Mistakes When Using Battery Saver
One common mistake is expecting Battery Saver to work while your phone is off. Battery Saver only works when your phone is on and unlocked. If you power off your iPhone, Battery Saver has no effect — your phone will straightforward use no power at all while it is off.
Another mistake is turning on Battery Saver and then wondering why apps are not updating in the background. This is the intended behavior — Battery Saver is designed to stop background activity. If you need an app to update or send notifications in real time, you will need to turn off Battery Saver first. You can also turn off Battery Saver temporarily, let the app update, and turn it back on.
Some people also assume Battery Saver damages their battery or phone. It does not. Battery Saver is a safe feature designed by Apple and will not harm your iPhone or its battery in any way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Battery Saver slow down my phone noticeably?
You may notice a slight delay when opening apps or loading web pages, but most people find the difference minor. The slowdown is most noticeable on older iPhone models. For everyday tasks like texting, calling, and browsing, the difference is usually not bothersome.
Can I use Battery Saver while charging my phone?
Yes, you can turn on Battery Saver while your phone is plugged in. However, Battery Saver will turn off automatically once your battery reaches 80%, so it is most useful when you are not charging. If you want to keep Battery Saver on while charging, you will need to turn it back on after it reaches 80%.
Does Battery Saver affect my ability to receive calls and texts?
No. Calls and text messages work normally with Battery Saver on. Your phone will still ring or vibrate when you receive a call or message, and notifications will still appear on your lock screen. Only background app activity is reduced.
What is the difference between Battery Saver and Low Power Mode?
On newer iPhones (iOS 16 and later), Battery Saver is the official name for the feature. On older iPhones, it was called Low Power Mode. They do the same thing — both reduce performance and background activity to extend battery life. The name changed, but the function remains the same.