Low Power Mode appears in Control Center once you turn it on in Settings

Low Power Mode is a built-in iPhone feature that reduces battery drain by limiting background activity, dimming the screen slightly, and slowing down performance. By default, it does not show up in Control Center — the quick-access panel you pull down from the top right of your screen. To add it, you go to Settings, find Control Center, and toggle Low Power Mode on in the customization list. Once you do this, Low Power Mode will appear as a button in Control Center, and you can turn it on or off with one tap whenever your battery is running low.

The process takes about one minute and works the same way on all recent iPhone models. After you add it once, Low Power Mode stays in your Control Center until you remove it.

Key Takeaways

  • Low Power Mode reduces battery drain by limiting background tasks and performance, and you control it from Control Center once you add it.
  • The feature does not appear in Control Center by default — you must enable it in Settings under Control Center customization.
  • Once added, Low Power Mode appears as a button in Control Center and can be toggled on or off with a single tap.
  • Low Power Mode works on iPhone 6 and later, and the steps are the same across all recent iOS versions.

Open Settings and navigate to Control Center

Start by opening the Settings app on your iPhone — the gray icon with gears that usually sits on your home screen. Scroll down the left side of the Settings menu until you see "Control Center" listed. Tap it to open the Control Center customization screen.

This screen shows two lists: "Included Controls" at the top (features already in your Control Center) and "More Controls" below (features you can add). Low Power Mode lives in the "More Controls" section because Apple does not include it by default.

Find Low Power Mode in the More Controls list

Look through the "More Controls" list for "Low Power Mode." The list is alphabetical, so it appears near the middle. You will see a green plus sign to the left of each item in this section.

Tap the green plus sign next to Low Power Mode. The button will turn into a minus sign, and Low Power Mode will move up into the "Included Controls" section at the top of the screen. This means it is now active in your Control Center.

Verify Low Power Mode is now in Control Center

Close Settings by swiping up from the bottom or tapping the home button. Now pull down Control Center from the top right corner of your screen (or swipe up from the bottom on older iPhones). You should see Low Power Mode as a button, usually displayed as a yellow battery icon with a lightning bolt.

Tap the Low Power Mode button to turn it on. The button will turn yellow and stay highlighted, showing that Low Power Mode is active. Your iPhone will now reduce background activity and limit performance to extend battery life. Tap it again to turn it off when you no longer need it.

What Low Power Mode actually does to your phone

When Low Power Mode is on, your iPhone reduces CPU and GPU speed, limits background app refresh, disables automatic downloads, reduces visual effects, and lowers screen brightness slightly. Mail stops fetching automatically and only updates when you open the app. Location services become less precise. Some features like iCloud Photo Library sync pause until you turn Low Power Mode off.

Low Power Mode does not delete data, prevent calls or texts, or stop you from using apps — it just makes them run slower and use less power. Most people notice the slowdown only in demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. For everyday use like messaging, email, and web browsing, the difference is barely noticeable.

Reorder Low Power Mode if you want it in a different spot

Control Center buttons appear in the order you see them in the "Included Controls" list in Settings. If you want Low Power Mode to appear in a different position — for example, closer to the top where you see it first — go back to Settings, tap Control Center, and look for the three horizontal lines to the left of Low Power Mode in the "Included Controls" section.

Press and hold those lines, then drag Low Power Mode up or down to the position you want. Release it, and the new order takes effect immediately. The next time you open Control Center, Low Power Mode will be in its new spot.

Low Power Mode turns off automatically at certain times

iOS automatically turns off Low Power Mode when your battery reaches 80% after you have charged your phone. This happens whether you are actively using your phone or not. If you want Low Power Mode to stay on even after your battery reaches 80%, you will need to turn it back on manually — there is no setting to keep it permanently enabled.

Some people leave Low Power Mode on all the time to extend battery life, even if it means slightly slower performance. Others turn it on only when their battery drops below 20%. The choice depends on how much battery life matters to you versus how much you notice the performance reduction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove Low Power Mode from Control Center after I add it?

Yes. Go back to Settings, tap Control Center, find Low Power Mode in the "Included Controls" section, and tap the minus sign next to it. It will move back to "More Controls" and disappear from your Control Center.

Does Low Power Mode work on all iPhones?

Low Power Mode is available on iPhone 6 and later. If you have an older iPhone, this feature does not exist. You can check your iPhone model in Settings under General, then About.

Will Low Power Mode slow down my internet speed?

No. Low Power Mode does not affect your WiFi or cellular connection speed. It only limits how fast your phone processes data and how often apps refresh in the background. Your internet connection itself remains the same.

What happens if I turn on Low Power Mode while using an app?

The app keeps running, but your phone will slow down slightly. Some apps may pause background tasks or reduce animation quality. Most apps work fine in Low Power Mode — you might notice a delay when opening heavy apps or scrolling through large photo libraries.

Can I set Low Power Mode to turn on automatically at a certain battery percentage?

No. iOS does not have a setting to automatically enable Low Power Mode at a specific battery level. You must turn it on manually from Control Center each time, though it will turn off automatically when you charge to 80%.