Yes, your phone charges slower in Low Power Mode, and it's intentional
When you turn on Low Power Mode, your phone deliberately slows down charging to reduce the strain on the battery. This is not a bug or a side effect — it's a deliberate trade-off built into how the feature works. Your device prioritizes extending battery life over charging speed because Low Power Mode assumes your battery is already depleted and you need it to last as long as possible.
On iPhones, Low Power Mode reduces charging speed by limiting the power draw to the battery itself. Android devices vary by manufacturer, but many implement similar restrictions. The slowdown is usually noticeable — you might see 20 to 40 percent less charging speed depending on your phone model and which version of the operating system you're running.
The reason is straightforward: charging generates heat, and heat degrades battery chemistry faster than normal use does. By slowing the charge, your phone keeps the battery cooler and extends its lifespan. This matters more when the battery is already stressed, which is exactly when you turn Low Power Mode on.
Key Takeaways
- Low Power Mode intentionally reduces charging speed to protect your battery from heat damage when it's already depleted.
- The slowdown typically ranges from 20 to 40 percent depending on your phone model and operating system version.
- Turning off Low Power Mode will restore normal charging speed immediately, though your battery will drain faster during use.
- If you need your phone charged quickly and usable, disabling Low Power Mode is the fastest solution.
How Low Power Mode affects charging on iPhone versus Android
iPhones running iOS 16 and later show this behavior most clearly. When Low Power Mode is active, the iPhone limits charging to roughly 80 percent of the normal rate. You'll see this reflected in the charging time estimate that appears on your lock screen — it will be noticeably longer than usual. The restriction applies whether you're using a standard charger, a fast charger, or a wireless charger.
Android phones handle this differently depending on the manufacturer. Samsung devices with Adaptive Battery enabled will slow charging when the battery is very low, but the effect is usually less dramatic than on iPhones. Google Pixels do not have a direct equivalent to Low Power Mode in the same way — instead, they use Extreme Battery Saver, which is more aggressive about shutting down features but does not necessarily slow charging as much. Other Android manufacturers like OnePlus and Motorola implement their own power-saving modes with varying effects on charge speed.
The practical difference is that if you have an iPhone, expect a clear, consistent slowdown. If you have an Android phone, the slowdown depends on which brand you own and which power-saving mode you've enabled.
When the slowdown matters and when it doesn't
The charging slowdown only becomes a real problem if you need your phone charged and ready to use within a specific timeframe. If you're plugging in your phone overnight or while you're working at a desk, the extra 30 to 60 minutes makes no practical difference. If you have 20 minutes before you need to leave the house and your battery is at 15 percent, the slowdown becomes frustrating.
In that scenario, you have a choice: disable Low Power Mode and charge faster, accepting that your battery will drain more quickly once you start using the phone, or leave it on and wait longer. Neither choice is wrong — it depends on what you need in that moment. If you're about to spend two hours away from a charger, the faster charge with Low Power Mode off might be the better trade. If you're just stepping out for 30 minutes, keeping Low Power Mode on and waiting a bit longer protects your battery for the rest of the day.
One situation where the slowdown is genuinely unhelpful: if your phone is so depleted that it keeps shutting down, Low Power Mode might not activate at all, or it might activate only after you've charged to a certain threshold. In that case, you're not choosing between slow and fast charging — you're just waiting for the phone to have enough power to function.
How to charge faster if you need to disable Low Power Mode
If you decide to turn off Low Power Mode to charge faster, go to Settings, then Battery, and toggle Low Power Mode off. On Android, the path varies — usually Settings, then Battery, then Battery Saver or Power Saving Mode, depending on your phone. The change takes effect immediately, and your charging speed should increase within a few seconds.
Beyond disabling Low Power Mode, a few other factors affect charging speed. Using a higher-wattage charger (if your phone supports it) will charge faster than a standard charger. Removing your phone's case can help it stay cooler during charging, which paradoxically allows faster charging without damaging the battery. Closing apps running in the background reduces the power draw on the battery while it's charging, which can speed up the process slightly.
Wireless charging is always slower than wired charging, even without Low Power Mode. If you're in a hurry, plug in a cable rather than placing the phone on a wireless pad. And avoid using your phone while it's charging — every app you open and every notification you respond to diverts power away from the battery itself.
Why your phone slows charging instead of just getting hotter
Batteries are chemical systems, and heat accelerates the chemical reactions that degrade them. A lithium-ion battery (the type in almost all phones) loses capacity faster when it's warm. Charging generates heat because electrical current flowing through the battery's internal resistance produces warmth, the same way a wire gets hot when you run electricity through it.
Your phone could theoretically charge at full speed even in Low Power Mode — it would just get hotter and the battery would degrade faster. Instead, the phone chooses to slow the charge and keep the battery cooler. Over months and years, this choice means your battery retains more capacity. A battery that has been charged slowly and kept cool will hold a charge longer at age two years than a battery that has been charged quickly and run hot.
This is why Low Power Mode exists in the first place: not to save power in the moment (though it does that too), but to extend the useful lifespan of the battery. The charging slowdown is part of that same philosophy.
What happens to your battery if you always disable Low Power Mode
If you routinely turn off Low Power Mode to charge faster, your battery will degrade somewhat faster than it would if you left it on. The effect is real but gradual — you probably won't notice a difference in the first few months. After a year or two, a battery that has been charged slowly and kept cool will hold noticeably more charge than one that has been charged quickly and run hot.
This doesn't mean you should never disable Low Power Mode. If you need your phone charged and ready, that's a legitimate need. But if you're disabling it out of habit or impatience, you're trading a small amount of long-term battery health for a faster charge right now. Whether that trade is worth it depends on how much you value having your phone last longer versus having it charged faster in the moment.
Most people strike a balance: use Low Power Mode when you're not in a hurry, and disable it when you actually need the phone charged quickly. Your phone's battery is designed to handle both approaches, so either way is fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Low Power Mode slow down charging on all phones?
iPhones show a clear, consistent slowdown. Android phones vary by manufacturer — Samsung slows charging somewhat, Google Pixels do not have the same feature, and others fall somewhere in between. Check your phone's settings to see what power-saving options are available and whether they affect charging.
Will my phone charge at normal speed once Low Power Mode turns off automatically?
Yes. Low Power Mode usually turns off automatically once your battery reaches 80 percent. At that point, charging speed returns to normal. You can also manually turn it off in Settings at any time.
Is it bad to charge my phone while Low Power Mode is on?
No, it's actually the opposite. Charging while Low Power Mode is on is gentler on your battery because the slower charge keeps it cooler. The trade-off is that it takes longer, but the battery itself is not being harmed.
Can I use my phone while it's charging in Low Power Mode?
Yes, but using it will slow the charge even more because the battery is powering both the charger and whatever you're doing. If you need the phone charged quickly, close apps and let it sit plugged in without using it.
What's the difference between Low Power Mode and Extreme Battery Saver?
Low Power Mode (iPhone) and Extreme Battery Saver (Google Pixel) are both designed to extend battery life, but Extreme Battery Saver is more aggressive — it shuts down more features and restricts more apps. Low Power Mode is a gentler middle ground that you can use for longer without the phone becoming too limited.