If you use your iPad a lot, you’ve probably noticed how fast the battery drains. That’s where Low Power Mode on iPad really helps.
Low Power Mode on an iPad conserves battery by reducing power use. You can activate it manually in Settings or Control Center, and it also turns on automatically when the battery is low. Once it’s on, it limits background tasks and may slow down some features, but it can greatly extend how long your iPad runs before needing a charge.
If you get how this mode works, you’ll have an easier time making your iPad’s battery last, especially when you’re far from a charger.
What Low Power Mode Does On Your iPad
Limits Background Activity, Visual Effects, And Mail Fetch
When you switch on Low Power Mode, your iPad keeps some apps from running in the background. Apps won’t update or refresh unless you open them yourself.
It also pauses automatic mail fetch, so your iPad checks for new emails less often. That means less data use and fewer sneaky background tasks eating up power.
Visual effects get toned down too. Those fancy animations when you open menus or switch apps? They’re simpler or slower, so your iPad’s processor can chill a bit and save energy.
Reduces Display Brightness And Caps ProMotion At 60 Hz
Your screen is a battery hog, so Low Power Mode dims it automatically. A dimmer display means you squeeze out more time before reaching for a charger.
If your iPad rocks a ProMotion display, Low Power Mode limits the refresh rate to 60 Hz. Normally, ProMotion can hit 120 Hz for super smooth scrolling, but capping it at 60 Hz cuts battery use while still keeping things pretty responsive.
Want to keep your iPad running smoothly? Check out our guide to the 7 most common Apple iPad problems and how to fix them fast.
When To Use Low Power Mode iPad
Picking the right moment to use Low Power Mode really helps you save battery without losing key functions. It steps in to limit background stuff and reduce power draw when you need your iPad to hang in there.
Recommended Under 20% Or When Charger Isn’t Nearby
If your iPad’s battery dips below 20%, flipping on Low Power Mode is a good idea. Your iPad will scale back power-hungry features like background app refresh, auto-downloads, and visual effects.
When you know you won’t see a charger for a while, Low Power Mode helps your device last. It dims the screen and limits refresh rates, so you can keep sending emails or browsing without worrying about your battery tanking.
Ideal For Travel, Meetings, Emergencies
Traveling can zap your battery with GPS and non-stop notifications. Low Power Mode helps by dialing down power use so your iPad stays alive on those long trips.
During meetings or events when plugging in isn’t an option, Low Power Mode keeps your iPad running without annoying interruptions. It also helps in emergencies, stretching your battery for important calls or info when you need it most.
Ready to refresh your device’s look? Explore creative ideas in our guide: Best iPad Home Screen Layouts To Try.
How To Activate Low Power Mode
You’ve got a couple of easy ways to turn on Low Power Mode. One is through the Settings app, which gives you full control over battery stuff.
Or you can add a shortcut to Control Center, or just ask Siri for help—super quick if you’re in a rush.
Go To Settings → Battery Toggle Low Power Mode
Open the Settings app on your iPad. Scroll down and tap Battery.
You’ll see the Low Power Mode option with a toggle switch. Tap it to turn on Low Power Mode. The battery icon in the top right turns yellow, letting you know it’s working.
To turn it off, head back to Settings > Battery and flip the toggle off. It’s pretty straightforward and lets you see all your battery info in one spot.
Add Control Center Shortcut Or Ask Siri
If you want faster access, add Low Power Mode to your Control Center. Open Settings, tap Control Center, then scroll to Low Power Mode and tap the green plus to add it.
Next time you need to save battery, swipe down from the top-right corner to open Control Center. Hit the battery icon to turn Low Power Mode on or off—no need to dig through Settings.
Or just ask Siri. Say, “Hey Siri, turn on Low Power Mode.” She’ll take care of it. If you want it off, ask Siri again.
Pros & Cons Of Low Power Mode
Low Power Mode can stretch your battery life between charges, but it does change how your iPad behaves. Some features slow down or stop while it’s on.
It’s good to know how this affects your experience so you can decide when to use it.
Extends Battery Life; Auto‑Turns Off At 80% Charge
With Low Power Mode running, your iPad cuts down on background tasks and dims the screen. The battery can last way longer—super handy if you’re out all day without a charger.
Once your battery hits 80% charge, Low Power Mode switches off by itself. You don’t have to remember to turn it off, and your iPad goes back to full speed and regular battery use.
May Slow Performance, Reduce Refresh, Pause Sync
Low Power Mode does limit some iPad features to save juice. It drops the screen’s refresh rate, so animations and scrolling might feel a bit less smooth.
Apps may update less often, since background app refresh and auto email fetching pause. If you run heavy apps or games, you might notice things slow down, as the CPU and GPU take a breather.
Syncing for cloud services can get delayed too, since your device tries to do less in the background. It’s a trade-off—more battery, but your iPad might not always feel as snappy until you turn off Low Power Mode or charge above 80%.
Need to locate your iPhone quickly? Follow our simple steps in the How to Find My iPhone from My iPad: Quick Guide.
More Ways To Extend iPad Battery Life
If you tweak your iPad’s settings, you can make the battery last a lot longer. Little things like turning off features and dropping brightness really help, and you probably won’t miss them day-to-day.
Turn Off Background App Refresh And Reduce Brightness
Background App Refresh lets apps update stuff in the background—like fetching new emails or social posts. That sneaks up on your battery fast.
Turning it off stops apps from running when you’re not using them. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn it off for everything or just the apps you don’t care about.
Lowering your screen brightness helps a ton too, since the display eats up battery. You can do this manually in Control Center, or turn on Auto-Brightness in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size to let your iPad adjust it for you.
Auto‑Lock Sooner, Disable Push Email, Close Apps
Set your iPad to lock the screen sooner, so it’s not just glowing on the desk. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock and pick a short time like 30 seconds or 1 minute.
Turning off Push Email means your iPad won’t keep checking for new emails—it’ll only fetch them when you open the app or on a schedule. Change this in Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data by turning off Push and picking manual or fetch times.
Closing apps you’re not using also helps. Double-click the Home button or swipe up to see open apps, then swipe them away. It keeps apps from quietly draining your battery in the background.
Final Thoughts
Low Power Mode on your iPad is a simple yet powerful feature to extend battery life, ensuring your device stays powered throughout your busiest days.
Whether you’re streaming, working, or browsing, activating Low Power Mode helps you get the most out of every charge.
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Not sure which iPad suits you best? Discover the key differences in our article: iPad Air vs. iPad Pro—Which Tablet Should You Get?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it good to use low power mode on iPad?
Low Power Mode is great when your battery’s low and you need your iPad to last before you can plug in again. It cuts background activity like mail fetch and app refresh, so your battery drains slower.
You can still use basics like calls, messages, and browsing. Some apps may update slower or pause background downloads, though.
If you want to save battery and don’t mind things running a bit slower, turning on Low Power Mode is a smart move. It stretches battery life without locking you out of the essentials.
Is it okay to leave low power mode on all the time?
You can leave Low Power Mode on, though it’s really meant for short bursts of battery saving. If you keep it on all the time, your iPad slows down because it limits performance.
Some background stuff, like notifications or syncing, just doesn’t happen right away. That means your email or social media alerts might show up late.
If you want your iPad to feel snappy—especially for games or big apps—switch Low Power Mode off once you’ve charged up. Honestly, it’s best for those moments when you’re desperate to squeeze out a bit more battery.
What are the disadvantages of power saving mode?
Low Power Mode drops the brightness and stops a bunch of background activity, so your screen looks a bit dimmer. Watching videos or checking photos might not look as good.
Some apps just won’t update in the background, and notifications can lag. Stuff like automatic downloads, iCloud syncing, and fetching mail all slow down or even pause.
Your iPad won’t feel as fast—apps might take longer to open, and animations can get choppy. Sometimes it’s just a little annoying when you want everything to work smoothly.
Do iPads charge slower on low power mode?
Low Power Mode doesn't slow down your iPad's charging speed. The charger and cable you use matter way more than any battery setting.
When you plug in your iPad, Low Power Mode might switch off by itself around 80%. Apple does this to let the device finish charging a bit faster.
Honestly, Low Power Mode just helps your battery last longer while you're using the iPad. It doesn't mess with how quickly your iPad pulls power from the charger, so you can leave it on or off—up to you.
