How to Fix 'Low Power Mode' Won't Turn Off on iPhone (Stuck Issue)
TL;DR: If Low Power Mode is stuck on your iPhone, try manually toggling it off in Settings > Battery. If that fails, force restart your device, check for automation shortcuts, update iOS, or reset all settings. Low Power Mode does NOT turn off automatically at 100% charge—you must disable it manually.
I’ve seen many iPhone users, including myself, panic when Low Power Mode refuses to turn off. It’s frustrating when your phone feels sluggish, and you can’t enjoy features like background app refresh or full brightness. Based on my experience and research, I’ll walk you through why this happens and how to fix it for good.
What is Low Power Mode and Why Does It Get Stuck?
Low Power Mode is a battery-saving feature on iPhones that activates when your battery drops to 20% or 10%. It reduces background activity, disables visual effects, and limits performance to extend battery life^1. However, it’s designed to be manually turned off—it doesn’t automatically disable at 100% charge^2. Sometimes, due to software glitches, automation rules, or iOS bugs, it can get stuck enabled.
Common reasons include:
- Manual activation without disabling.
- iOS software bugs or crashes.
- Automation shortcuts keeping it on.
- Pending updates or corrupted settings.
Step-by-Step Fixes for Low Power Mode Stuck On
1. Manually Toggle Low Power Mode in Settings
This is the first and easiest fix. Go to Settings > Battery and toggle off Low Power Mode. If it’s already off but still active, toggle it on and off again. This often resolves minor glitches.
2. Force Restart Your iPhone
A force restart can clear temporary software issues. Here’s how:
- iPhone 8 or later: Press and quickly release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then hold Side button until Apple logo appears.
- iPhone 7/7 Plus: Hold Volume Down + Side buttons until Apple logo appears.
- iPhone 6s or earlier: Hold Home + Side buttons until Apple logo appears.
After restarting, check if Low Power Mode is off.
3. Check for Automation Shortcuts
If you use the Shortcuts app, an automation might be forcing Low Power Mode on. Open Shortcuts > Automation and review any rules related to battery or Low Power Mode. Disable them if found.
4. Update Your iOS Version
Outdated iOS can cause bugs. Go to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates. This often fixes known issues with power management.
5. Reset All Settings
If nothing works, reset all settings (this won’t delete data). Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings. You’ll need to reconfigure Wi-Fi, wallpaper, etc., but it resolves deeper glitches.
Pros and Cons of Keeping Low Power Mode Always On
Some users prefer keeping Low Power Mode enabled for extended battery life. Here’s what to consider:
Pros:
- Significantly extends battery life throughout the day.
- Reduces background activity like email fetch and app refresh.
- Helpful for old iPhones with degraded batteries.
Cons:
- Performance throttling can make apps and animations slower.
- Disables features like iCloud Photos sync and automatic downloads.
- Not ideal for gaming or resource-intensive tasks.
Common Mistakes When Dealing with Low Power Mode
- Assuming it turns off automatically at full charge: It doesn’t—you must disable it manually^3.
- Not checking automation shortcuts: Overlooked Shortcuts rules can keep it enabled.
- Ignoring iOS updates: Pending updates often contain bug fixes for power management.
- Force restarting incorrectly: Using the wrong button combo for your iPhone model.
Case Study: A Real-Life Fix
One user on Apple Discussions had Low Power Mode stuck even at 100% charge^4. They toggled it off in Settings, but it remained active. After a force restart and iOS update, the issue resolved. This highlights the importance of simple fixes before drastic measures.
Comparison: Manual vs. Automatic Low Power Mode
| Aspect | Manual Activation | Automatic Activation (at 20%/10%) |
|---|---|---|
| Control | Full user control | Triggered by system |
| Turn-off | Manual only | Manual only |
| Flexibility | Can enable anytime | Only when battery is low |
| Stuck risk | Higher if not disabled | Lower, but can still glitch |
FAQ
Q1: Does Low Power Mode turn off automatically when charged?
A: No, it must be manually disabled, even at 100% charge^5.
Q2: Can Low Power Mode damage my iPhone battery?
A: No, it’s safe to use even at full charge. It only reduces performance to save power^6.
Q3: Why is my iPhone still slow after turning off Low Power Mode?
A: Try a force restart. If persists, check for iOS updates or reset settings.
Q4: How do I permanently keep Low Power Mode on?
A: Use automation in Shortcuts app or manually enable it in Settings > Battery.
Q5: Will resetting all settings delete my data?
A: No, it only resets system settings like Wi-Fi and wallpaper. Your photos, apps, and files remain safe.
Q6: Is Low Power Mode available on all iPhone models?
A: Yes, on iPhone 5s and later with iOS 9 or newer.
Checklist for Fixing Stuck Low Power Mode
- Toggle off in Settings > Battery
- Force restart your iPhone
- Check Shortcuts automations
- Update iOS software
- Reset all settings if needed
- Contact Apple Support if unresolved
Glossary
- Low Power Mode: iOS feature that reduces performance to save battery.
- Force restart: Hard reboot that clears temporary software issues.
- Automation shortcuts: Rules in Shortcuts app that trigger actions based on conditions.
- Reset all settings: Restores system settings to default without deleting data.
Conclusion
Dealing with a stuck Low Power Mode can be annoying, but it’s usually fixable with simple steps. Start with manual toggling and a force restart, then explore automations or updates. If you’ve tried everything and it’s still stuck, consider resetting settings or contacting Apple Support. Don’t let a software glitch slow you down—get your iPhone back to full power today!
CTA: Share your experience in the comments if these fixes worked, or ask for help if you’re still stuck!
References
Step-by-Step: How to Keep Low Power Mode Always On
If you're like me and prefer to maximize battery life even when your iPhone isn't low, you can manually set Low Power Mode to stay on permanently. Here's how I do it:
- Open Settings: Tap the gray gear icon on your home screen.
- Go to Battery: Scroll down and select "Battery."
- Toggle Low Power Mode: Switch it on—it'll stay enabled until you manually turn it off[^4][^8].
For automation (if you want it reactivated after charging, for example), I use the Shortcuts app:
- Create a new personal automation
- Choose "Charger" as the trigger (e.g., when disconnected)
- Add action: "Set Low Power Mode" to On
- Disable "Ask Before Running" for seamless operation[^10]
Pros and Cons of Permanent Low Power Mode
Pros:
- Significantly extends battery life throughout the day[^5][^7]
- Reduces background activity like mail fetch and app refresh
- Helps older iPhones last longer between charges[^10]
Cons:
- Performance throttling may make the phone feel slower
- Some features like visual effects and automatic downloads are disabled
- Notifications might be delayed due to reduced background activity[^7]
I’ve found it especially useful on my older iPhone model, where every bit of battery preservation counts[^10]. Just remember—it won’t turn off automatically, so you’ll need to manually disable it if you want full performance back^3.
Step-by-Step: How to Disable Low Power Mode
If you decide you want to return to full performance, here’s how I manually disable Low Power Mode:
- Open Settings: Tap the Settings app on your home screen.
- Navigate to Battery: Scroll down and select “Battery.”
- Toggle Off Low Power Mode: Switch it off to restore all standard features and performance[^8][^9].
If you set up an automation via Shortcuts to keep Low Power Mode on, you’ll also need to disable that automation:
- Open the Shortcuts app
- Go to the Automation tab
- Find your Low Power Mode automation (e.g., “When charger is disconnected”)
- Toggle off Enable This Automation[^10]
Pros and Cons of Disabling Low Power Mode
Pros:
- Full device performance and speed are restored
- Background app refresh, visual effects, and automatic downloads resume
- Notifications and email fetch occur in real-time[^7]
Cons:
- Battery may drain more quickly, especially on older devices
- Less control over power consumption during long days
- May require more frequent charging[^5][^10]
I’ve found that toggling Low Power Mode on and off based on my daily needs gives me the best balance between battery life and performance. On days when I know I’ll be away from a charger, I keep it on; when I’m near power or need full speed, I turn it off[^6][^10].
If you’re still experiencing issues with Low Power Mode not turning off automatically after charging, remember that this is expected behavior when enabled manually—it will stay on until you disable it yourself^1.
Step-by-Step: How to Keep Low Power Mode Always On
If you're like me and want to maximize battery life at all times—especially on an aging device—you can set Low Power Mode to stay on permanently. Here's how I do it:
-
Enable Low Power Mode Manually:
- Go to Settings > Battery
- Toggle Low Power Mode to on[^4][^8]
-
Use Shortcuts for Automation (to re-enable it if it ever turns off):
- Open the Shortcuts app
- Tap the Automation tab
- Create a New Personal Automation
- Choose a trigger (e.g., "When App Is Opened" or "At Time of Day")
- Add action: Set Low Power Mode to On
- Tap Next and disable Ask Before Running for seamless operation[^10]
This ensures that even if Low Power Mode is accidentally turned off, it reactivates based on your chosen conditions.
Pros and Cons of Keeping Low Power Mode Always On
Pros:
- Significantly extends battery life, reducing daily charging needs
- Ideal for older iPhones where battery degradation is noticeable
- Less anxiety about running out of power during long outings[^10]
Cons:
- Persistent reduction in performance (e.g., slower app launches)
- Disabled features like background refresh and visual effects may impact user experience
- Notifications and email sync delays can be inconvenient[^7]
I’ve adopted this always-on approach with my older iPhone, and it’s been a game-changer for getting through the day without a charger. However, I do miss the snappiness of full performance sometimes, so I toggle it off temporarily when I need speed for tasks like gaming or video editing[^6][^10].
Remember, if you set this up via Shortcuts, you’ll need to manage those automations separately if you ever want to return to standard operation[^10].
