Your iPhone is in Low Power Mode

A yellow battery indicator means your iPhone has switched to Low Power Mode, a built-in feature that reduces power consumption when your battery drops to 20 percent. Once activated, the battery icon in the top-right corner of your screen turns yellow instead of green or black. This is not a malfunction — it is your phone telling you it is conserving energy to extend how long it can run before needing a charge.

Low Power Mode automatically turns on at 20 percent battery by default, though you can also enable it manually at any charge level. When it is active, your iPhone limits background activity, reduces screen brightness, slows down performance slightly, and disables some features like automatic downloads and mail fetching. These changes buy you extra hours of use.

Key Takeaways

  • A yellow battery icon means Low Power Mode is on, which happens automatically when your battery reaches 20 percent.
  • Low Power Mode slows performance and disables some features, but extends the time before your phone shuts down.
  • You can turn Low Power Mode off manually in Settings > Battery, even if your battery is still low.
  • If your battery drains unusually fast even with Low Power Mode on, a specific app or setting may be the cause.
  • The yellow indicator disappears once you charge your phone above 80 percent, or when you disable Low Power Mode yourself.

How to Turn Off Low Power Mode

If you want to disable Low Power Mode before your battery is fully charged, open Settings, tap Battery, then toggle off Low Power Mode. The yellow indicator will disappear when ready, and your phone will return to normal performance. Be aware that turning it off while your battery is still low will cause it to drain faster.

You can also access Low Power Mode from Control Center. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen (or up from the bottom on older iPhones), find the battery icon, and tap it to toggle Low Power Mode on or off. This is the quickest method if you are already in Control Center.

When Low Power Mode Turns On Automatically

By default, Low Power Mode activates when your battery hits 20 percent. You can change this threshold in Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode by tapping the percentage next to "Turn On Automatically." Your options are 20 percent or 10 percent — there is no way to set it higher or disable automatic set up entirely, though you can always turn it off manually once it activates.

Some users prefer to enable Low Power Mode manually before their battery gets that low, especially if they know they will not have access to a charger for several hours. This gives you control over when the restrictions kick in rather than waiting for the automatic trigger.

Why Your Battery Drains Quickly Even in Low Power Mode

If your battery is dropping fast despite Low Power Mode being on, a specific app or setting is likely consuming power in the background. Open Settings > Battery to see which apps have used the most power in the last 24 hours or the last 10 days. Apps that show high percentages — especially those you do not use often — may be running unnecessarily.

Location services, background app refresh, and push notifications also drain battery. Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and review which apps have permission to use your location constantly. Disable it for apps that do not need it. Similarly, Settings > General > Background App Refresh lets you turn off background activity for specific apps or all apps at once.

If a single app is responsible for most of the drain, try closing it completely or uninstalling it. If you notice the problem started after a recent iOS update, restart your phone — sometimes a fresh start resolves battery drain that appears after an update.

The Difference Between Yellow and Red Battery Icons

A yellow battery icon means Low Power Mode is on and your battery is between 20 and 100 percent. A red battery icon means your battery is critically low — usually below 10 percent — and your phone will shut down soon. Red does not necessarily mean Low Power Mode is active; it is straightforward a warning that you need to charge when ready.

If your battery icon is red, plug in your phone right away. Once it charges above 20 percent, the icon will turn green (or black, depending on your iPhone model and settings), and Low Power Mode will turn off automatically unless you have set it to stay on.

Charging Your Phone to Clear the Yellow Indicator

The simplest way to get rid of the yellow battery icon is to charge your iPhone. Low Power Mode automatically turns off once your battery reaches 80 percent, and the icon returns to its normal color. You do not have to wait until 100 percent — the yellow disappears at 80 percent.

If you want the yellow indicator gone when ready but cannot charge right now, you can manually disable Low Power Mode in Settings > Battery, though your battery will drain faster afterward. The choice depends on whether you need full performance or extended battery life more urgently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Low Power Mode damage my battery?

No. Low Power Mode is designed to protect your battery by reducing the strain on it. Using it regularly does not harm your phone's long-term battery health. In fact, keeping your battery between 20 and 80 percent most of the time — which Low Power Mode encourages — is better for battery lifespan than letting it drain to 1 percent regularly.

Can I set Low Power Mode to turn on at a higher percentage?

No. Your only options are 20 percent or 10 percent in Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode. If you want Low Power Mode on at 30 percent or 50 percent, you have to enable it manually. Many users do this if they know they will be away from a charger for a long time.

Why does my phone feel slower in Low Power Mode?

Low Power Mode intentionally reduces performance to save battery. Your processor runs at a lower speed, animations are less smooth, and some background tasks pause. This slowdown is temporary — once you charge above 80 percent or disable Low Power Mode, your phone returns to normal speed.

Will Low Power Mode prevent my phone from turning off?

No. Low Power Mode extends how long your phone runs, but it does not prevent shutdown. Your iPhone will still power off when the battery reaches 0 percent, even in Low Power Mode. Low Power Mode just buys you more time before that happens.