How to set Low Power Mode automatically on iPhone

You'll have to create an automation, but it's pretty easy.
By Anna Iovine  on 
An iPhone facedown on a Macbook keyboard.
To automatically enter Low Power Mode on iPhone, you have to create an automation. Credit: Stanislav Kogiku/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Typically, when your iPhone dips below a 20 percent charge, it goes into Low Power Mode. This reduces or at least impacts some features (such as automatic downloads and 5G) in an attempt to save whatever battery life is left.

You can enter Low Power Mode at any time though, and can even turn it on automatically. Here's how to do it.

First, go to the Shortcuts app and tap Automation in the bottom center. If you've never created an automation before, you'll see this screen:

An iPhone displaying the Automation screen in the Shortcuts app.
Automation screen in the Shortcuts app. Credit: screenshot: apple

If you have made automations before, you'll see them here. To add a new one, tap the plus sign on the top right.

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Tap "Create Personal Automation". You'll see a lot of options; scroll to Battery Level and tap it. It's tempting to think we should choose Low Power Mode, but that would be creating a separate action of what the phone will do when the mode is turned on or off. Instead, we want to create an action of automatically turning on Low Power Mode depending on the phone's battery level.

An iPhone displaying the New Automation screen listing options including "Low Power Mode" and "Battery Level."
Choose Battery Level in Automations. Credit: screenshot: apple

Next, you'll be able to choose what battery level you'll want the iPhone to enter Low Power Mode.

An iPhone displaying the New Automation screen allowing the user to set the battery level at which the iPhone will enter Low Power Mode.
You can choose whatever percentage battery level to automatically turn on Low Power Mode. Credit: screenshot: apple

Choose a level, say when your phone dips below 50 percent power. Tap Next and you'll see a button that says Add Action. Click that, then search for "low power mode," and choose Set Low Power Mode.

You'll see the action "Turn Low Power Mode On." Tap Next, and the action should read that your iPhone will set Low Power Mode when battery level falls below 50 percent. Toggle off "Ask Before Running" so it'll do this automatically:

An iPhone New Automation screen for the Action "Turn Low Power Mode On."
Automation for setting Low Power Mode when battery level falls below 50 percent. Credit: screenshot: apple
An iPhone New Automation screen for when to "Turn Low Power Mode On" with the "Ask Before Running" toggle selected.
Remember to toggle off Ask Before Running so this becomes an automatic action. Credit: screenshot: apple

And that's it! You're free to turn on Low Power Mode automatically at any battery level you fancy. Your phone will do this until you change or delete the automation.

Topics iPhone

anna iovine, a white woman with curly chin-length brown hair, smiles at the camera
Anna Iovine
Associate Editor, Features

Anna Iovine is associate editor of features at Mashable. Previously, as the sex and relationships reporter, she covered topics ranging from dating apps to pelvic pain. Before Mashable, Anna was a social editor at VICE and freelanced for publications such as Slate and the Columbia Journalism Review. Follow her on X @annaroseiovine.


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