Got a tip for us?

Battery

How to extend the battery life on Apple Watch

by Moses Johnson

You can maximize battery life by turning on Low Power Mode or preventing apps from refreshing in the background.

Low Power Mode turns off certain features, like the Always On Display and background heart rate measurements. Other notifications may be delayed, and certain cellular and Wi-Fi connections are limited. Once the battery drops to 10 percent or lower, your watch even offers to turn it on.

Here’s how to extend the battery life on Apple Watch.

Turn on Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode turns off certain features, such as Always On Display, background heart rate and blood oxygen measurements, and heart rate notifications. Other notifications may be delayed, emergency alerts may not arrive, and certain cellular and Wi-Fi connections are limited. Cellular is turned off until you require it—when you stream music or send a message, for example.

When the battery level drops to 10 percent or lower, your Apple Watch asks if you want to turn on Low Power Mode. To turn it on manually, do the following:

  1. Press the side button to open Control Center.
  2. Tap the battery percentage, tap Low Power Mode.
  3. Tap Turn On or Turn On For. Choose a duration.

    The Low Power Mode screen with a partial yellow ring indicating the remaining charge. The Low Power Mode On button is at the bottom.

Return to the normal power mode

  1. Press the side button to open Control Center.
  2. Tap the battery percentage, then turn off Low Power Mode.

Prevent apps from refreshing in the background

Switching to a new app means the one you were using doesn’t stay open or take up system resources. It may still “refresh” in the background by checking for updates and new content.

To maximize battery life, you can turn this option off, since refreshing apps in the background can use power.

  1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Tap General, then tap Background App Refresh.
  3. Turn off Background App Refresh to prevent all apps from refreshing. Or scroll down and turn off refresh for individual apps.

Note: Even with their background app refresh setting off, apps with complications on the current watch face keep refreshing.

See also

Tag: Battery
Show Full Article

How to check battery health and usage on Apple Watch

by Kevin Hollington

You can monitor your Apple Watch battery in several ways: check the current battery level, view usage history and charging patterns, and assess overall battery health.

The quickest check is Control Center, which shows the battery percentage, including for connected accessories like AirPods. You can also add a battery complication to the watch face, or see the time since the last charge. And Apple Watch alerts you when battery capacity is significantly reduced.

Check the battery level of Apple Watch and accessories

  1. Press the side button to open Control Center and see the battery percentage.

    The battery level in Control Center.

  2. To see the battery levels of any Bluetooth connected accessories, such as AirPods, tap the battery percentage and turn the Digital Crown.

See the battery level on the watch face

If you add a battery complication to the watch face, you can check the battery level at a glance.

The screen for customizing the watch face. The battery percentage complication is in the top-right corner.

Check the time since the last charge

  1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Tap Battery.

    The Battery screen shows the remaining battery percentage, a graph that details the recent history of the battery charge, and information about when the battery was last charged.

Check battery health

You can check your Apple Watch battery’s capacity relative to when it was new.

  1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Tap Battery, then tap Battery Health.
  3. Scroll down to see the maximum capacity.

When battery capacity is significantly reduced, Apple Watch alerts you so you can check your service options.

See also

Tag: Battery
Show Full Article

How to charge the battery on Apple Watch

by Dave Johnson

Apple Watch has an internal lithium-ion rechargeable battery. Compared with traditional battery technology, lithium-ion batteries are lighter, charge faster, and have a higher power density for longer battery life.

For best results, you charge it with the included magnetic charger, though the MagSafe Duo Charger and compatible third-party chargers work, too. When Apple Watch needs to be charged, a low battery symbol appears on the screen. You can also optimize battery charging and use fast charging.

Set up the charger

The included magnetic charger gives the best results when you charge your Apple Watch, though a compatible third-party charger or the MagSafe Duo Charger, sold separately, works too.

  1. In a well-ventilated area, place your charger on a flat surface.
  2. Plug the charger into a power adapter (sold separately).
  3. Plug the adapter into a power outlet.

Begin charging Apple Watch

When Apple Watch needs to be charged, you see the low battery symbol on the screen.

  1. Position the back of your Apple Watch on the charger. The concave end of the charger magnetically snaps to the back of your Apple Watch and aligns it properly.

    The concave end of the charger magnetically snaps to the back of Apple Watch.

  2. When charging begins, a charging symbol appears on the watch face and a chime plays (unless your watch is in Silent Mode).

    Note: If the charging symbol is yellow, Apple Watch is in Low Power Mode. Low Power Mode turns off when the battery is charged to 80 percent.

Optimize battery charging

To reduce battery aging, Apple Watch learns your daily charging routines with on-device machine learning and holds off on charging past 80 percent until you need to use it.

  1. Start the Settings app on your Apple Watch.
  2. Tap Battery, then tap Battery Health.
  3. Turn on Optimized Battery Charging or Optimized Charge Limit.

About fast charging

For fast charging, you need an 18W or greater USB-C Power Adapter and a compatible charger.

Note: Fast charging isn’t available in all countries or regions. The specifications of the included magnetic charger may vary depending on your country or region.

WARNING: For important safety information about the battery and charging Apple Watch, see Important safety information.

See also

Tag: Battery
Show Full Article

How to save battery life with Power Modes on iPhone

by Stacey Butler

iPhone offers power-saving features that help extend battery life based on your needs. Use Adaptive Power to let iPhone automatically adjust performance based on your usage patterns, or turn on Low Power Mode to manually reduce power consumption when your battery gets low.

Adaptive Power, on iPhone 15 Pro or later, runs in the background on its own, and it’s meant for days when your usage is higher than usual.

Turn on Adaptive Power

Adaptive Power, available on iPhone 15 Pro or later, helps extend your iPhone’s battery life on days when your usage is higher than usual. Once on, it works automatically in the background, with nothing for you to manage. Based on your recent usage patterns, it predicts when you’ll need extra battery power with on-device intelligence, then adjusts performance to help your battery last longer.

Note: On supported models, Adaptive Power is on by default.

Adaptive Power can lower screen brightness, limit background activity, and adjust performance to conserve power throughout the day when it’s turned on. It can also turn on Low Power Mode automatically once your battery reaches 20%.

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Battery and tap Power Mode. Then turn Adaptive Power on or off.

You’re notified the first time Adaptive Power turns on. After that, you’re notified only on days when your battery is draining faster than usual. To turn notifications on or off, go to the Settings app, tap Battery, tap Power Mode, then turn Adaptive Power Notifications on or off. If you turn off notifications, Adaptive Power continues to help extend your battery life.

Manage Low Power Mode

When the battery gets low, Low Power Mode reduces the amount of power your iPhone uses. It optimizes performance for essential tasks like accessing the internet, sending and receiving email and messages, making and receiving calls, and more. And on iPhone models with ProMotion display technology, it limits the display refresh rate to 60 frames per second.

Note: In Low Power Mode, iPhone might perform some tasks more slowly.

To switch Low Power Mode on or off, do any of the following:

  • iPhone 14 or earlier: Go to the Settings app, then tap Battery. Tap Low Power Mode.
  • iPhone 15 or later: Go to the Settings app, then tap Battery. Tap Power Mode, then tap Low Power Mode.
  • In Control Center: Add the Low Power Mode button to Control Center, then tap the Low Power Mode button.

Once iPhone charges to 80% or higher, Low Power Mode turns off automatically.

Tag: Battery
Show Full Article

How to optimize iPhone battery charging

by Tyler Stephen

iPhone includes charging features that help extend your battery’s lifespan by reducing the time your battery stays fully charged. With Optimized Battery Charging, iPhone pauses charging at 80%, then finishes charging closer to when you usually unplug your iPhone.

For example, if you typically unplug your iPhone at 7 a.m., charging may pause at 80% overnight and finish just before that time. It needs a routine, though, and when you need a full charge sooner than scheduled, you can temporarily override it.

What to expect

  • It needs a routine: Optimized Battery Charging activates when your iPhone predicts it will be connected to a charger for an extended period, like overnight. The feature requires time to learn your charging habits, so it works most consistently in the locations where you spend the most time, such as your home and office. It may not activate when your charging habits are more varied, like when you’re traveling.
  • It may not always be active: If your charging schedule is inconsistent or you’re in a new place, Optimized Battery Charging may not activate. In these situations, your iPhone will charge to 100% without pausing.

Temporarily override Optimized Battery Charging

If your iPhone needs a full charge sooner than scheduled, you can temporarily override Optimized Battery Charging.

The charging information card in iPhone Battery settings. The card shows the battery at 80% with the message “Charging on Hold: Optimized Battery Charging.” It is scheduled to finish by 12:41 PM, with an option to “Resume Charging.”

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Battery and tap Resume Charging.

Turn Optimized Battery Charging on or off

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • On iPhone 14 or earlier: Tap Battery, then tap Battery Health & Charging. Turn Optimized Battery Charging on or off.
    • On iPhone 15 or later: Tap Battery and then tap Charging. Turn Optimized Battery Charging on or off.
Tag: Battery
Show Full Article

How to show the iPhone battery percentage

by Moses Johnson

You can view how much charge remains in your iPhone battery in the status bar. You can also add a widget to the Home Screen to monitor the battery levels of your iPhone and connected accessories, including AirPods and other devices.

On an iPhone with Face ID, you’ll see the percentage inside the battery symbol, and Control Center can quickly show it, too.

See the iPhone battery percentage in the status bar

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Battery and then turn on Battery Percentage.

On an iPhone with Face ID, you’ll see the battery percentage inside the battery symbol in the status bar.

Quick tip: On iPhone models with Face ID, the battery percentage also shows in Control Center, so you can swipe down from the top-right corner for a quick look.

Tag: Battery
Show Full Article

How to charge iPhone with cleaner energy sources (U.S. only)

by Tyler Stephen

With Clean Energy Charging, iPhone uses a forecast of the carbon emissions in your local energy grid to charge during times of cleaner energy production. This feature is available only in the U.S. and is turned on by default. iPhone learns from your daily charging routine so it can reach full charge before you need to use it.

That means charging may sometimes be delayed when you plug in. If you need a full charge sooner than scheduled, you can temporarily override it.

What to expect

  • Charging may be delayed: When you connect your iPhone to a charger, it may wait to begin charging. iPhone does this automatically when cleaner energy is forecasted to be available soon. iPhone does this only when it knows your device will finish charging before you unplug it.
  • It isn’t always active: Clean Energy Charging happens only when a forecast for cleaner energy is available from your local grid. If a forecast isn’t available, your iPhone charges normally.

Temporarily override Clean Energy Charging

Need your iPhone charged to full sooner than scheduled? You can temporarily override Clean Energy Charging.

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Battery and tap Resume Charging.

Turn off Clean Energy Charging

Clean Energy Charging is on by default when you set up your iPhone. To turn off the feature:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Do one of the following:
    • On iPhone 14 or earlier: Tap Battery, then tap Battery Health & Charging. Turn Clean Energy Charging on or off.
    • On iPhone 15 or later: Tap Battery and then tap Charging. Turn Clean Energy Charging on or off and then choose an option.
Tag: Battery
Show Full Article

Which Apple power adapters work with iPhone

by Emily Long

You can connect iPhone to a power outlet using its charging cable (included) and a compatible power adapter (sold separately). You can use the following Apple USB power adapters to charge iPhone, and their size and style may vary depending on the country or region.

For fast charging, iPhone 17 models and iPhone Air need a power adapter with at least 40 watts of power output. The Apple 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max is one of them.

Apple 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max

The Apple 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max.

iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max need at least 40 watts of power output from their power adapter for fast charging. The Apple 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max is one option.

Third-party power adapters you use with iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, or iPhone 17 Pro Max should meet these recommended specifications:

  • Frequency: 50 to 60 Hz, single phase
  • Line Voltage: 100 to 240 VAC
  • Output Voltage/Current: (AVS) 15-20VDC/2A [3.0A DPS] or (AVS) 9-15VDC/2.67A [3.0A DPS] or 9VDC/3A or 5VDC/3A
  • Continuous Sustained Power: 40W
  • Maximum Power Output: 60W
  • Output Port: USB-C

Faster wired charging is supported on iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. To fast charge them, you need a USB‑C charging cable rated for 60 watts or more, along with a power adapter with Adjustable Voltage Supply (AVS) that can supply 60 watts or more, such as the Apple 40W Dynamic Power Adapter with 60W Max.

Apple 20W USB-C power adapter

The Apple 20-watt USB-C power adapter.

Apple 18W USB-C power adapter

The Apple 18-watt USB-C power adapter.

Apple 5W USB power adapter

The Apple 5-watt USB power adapter.

You can also use Apple USB power adapters for iPad and Mac notebooks to charge iPhone, and you can use third-party power adapters that are compliant with applicable country regulations and international and regional safety standards.

Tag: Battery
Show Full Article

How to set a charge limit on iPhone

by Abigail Shilets

On iPhone 15 and later, you can set a maximum battery level, like 80%, to help reduce battery wear, especially if you charge your iPhone frequently or keep it connected for long periods. iPhone may also recommend a charge limit based on your charging patterns.

When Charge Limit is on, iPhone stops charging when it reaches your selected percentage. But it will occasionally charge to 100%, even with a lower limit set.

The charging information card in iPhone Battery settings. The card shows the battery at 90% with the message “Charged to 90% Limit.” A button provides the option to “Charge to 100%.

What to expect

  • Your iPhone will occasionally charge to 100%—even with a lower limit set—to keep the battery percentage display accurate. This may happen more often if your iPhone isn’t regularly able to complete a full charge.

Set a Charge Limit

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Battery and then tap Charging.
  3. Choose the charge percentage that works best for you. You can change or remove the limit anytime.

Change the Charge Limit

  1. Start the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Tap Battery and then tap Charging.
  3. Choose the charge percentage that works best for you. If you choose 100%, do any of the following:
    • Temporarily override charge limit: Tap Allow Until Tomorrow. The charge limit will return to your set percentage at 6:00 a.m.
    • Set a new charge limit: Tap Set Limit to 100%. The charge limit will remain at 100% until you change it again.

If you need to temporarily override your charge limit and charge your iPhone to full sooner than scheduled, go to the Settings app, tap Battery, then tap Charge to 100%.

Tag: Battery
Show Full Article

iPhone charging cables: USB-C Cable and USB-C to Lightning Cable

by Chris Smith

Your iPhone includes one of two charging cables: a USB-C Cable or a USB-C to Lightning Cable. With either one, you can plug iPhone into a power outlet using a compatible power adapter (sold separately), and your computer’s USB-C port works for charging, transferring files, and more.

Depending on the model, your iPhone comes with one of these charging cables:

USB-C Cable

With a compatible power adapter (sold separately) and the included cable, iPhone connects to a power outlet. The included cable also connects to your computer’s USB-C port for transferring files, charging, and more.

USB-C to Lightning Cable

Plug iPhone into a power outlet with the included cable and a compatible power adapter, sold separately. You can also use the included cable with your computer’s USB-C port to charge, transfer files, and more.

Tag: Battery
Show Full Article