You’ve probably heard the trick before—turn on Low Power Mode while charging, and your phone will power up faster. But is there any truth to this, or is it just another smartphone myth? Low Power Mode is designed to reduce battery consumption by disabling background tasks, dimming the display, and slowing down performance. But does that mean your phone charges more efficiently when it’s on, or is the difference too small to matter?
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at what Low Power Mode actually does and answer the question: Does Your Phone Charge Faster on Low Power Mode? Plus, we’ll break down other charging speed factors, like using the right adapter, cable, and charging conditions. If you’re tired of waiting for your phone to reach 100%, keep reading—we’re about to uncover whether Low Power Mode is the secret to faster charging or just another myth.
The Purpose of Low Power Mode
Low Power Mode is designed to extend battery life by reducing power consumption when your iPhone’s charge drops below 20%. When activated, it limits background activity, reduces screen brightness, disables visual effects, and lowers system performance to conserve energy. Features like automatic downloads, background app refresh, and mail fetching are paused to minimize battery drain.
Apple introduced this feature to help users get the most out of their remaining battery life, especially when a charger isn’t immediately available. Unlike normal battery-saving settings, Low Power Mode makes system-wide adjustments to ensure that power is used efficiently. It automatically turns off when the battery reaches 80% to restore full functionality. While its main purpose is to extend usage time, it also changes how the device handles power, which has led to speculation about its effects on charging speed.
Understanding Low Power Mode
Low Power Mode is an iPhone feature designed to preserve battery life by limiting background activity and system performance when the battery level drops below 20%. It helps users extend their device’s usage time by reducing power-hungry functions, making it a useful tool when you’re low on battery and can’t charge immediately. But what exactly happens when Low Power Mode is enabled? In this section, we’ll explore how it works, the features it disables, and how it effectively reduces power consumption to keep your iPhone running longer.
What Low Power Mode Actually Does
When Low Power Mode is activated, the iPhone makes several system-wide adjustments to minimize energy consumption. It reduces processor performance, meaning tasks like opening apps and scrolling through web pages may feel slightly slower. The screen dims automatically to lower power usage, and refresh rates are adjusted to further conserve battery. Background tasks, including syncing and automatic downloads, are paused to prevent unnecessary power drain.
Additionally, some system animations and visual effects are disabled to reduce the workload on the GPU. These changes work together to prolong battery life by ensuring that the device prioritizes essential functions while limiting less important processes. Though the performance impact is minimal for everyday tasks, the difference in battery efficiency is significant, allowing users to stretch their remaining charge for as long as possible.
Features Disabled in Low Power Mode
To save power, Low Power Mode disables or limits several features that normally run in the background. Background App Refresh is turned off, meaning apps won’t update their content until they are opened manually. Mail fetching is paused, so emails won’t be retrieved automatically, requiring users to refresh their inbox manually. Automatic downloads for app updates, iCloud backups, and certain syncing features are also stopped.
Visual effects like motion animations and dynamic wallpapers are either disabled or reduced to consume less power. 5G connectivity is also limited in some cases, switching to LTE to save energy. Additionally, the Hey Siri voice activation feature is turned off unless the device is plugged in. By disabling these functions, Low Power Mode ensures that battery life is preserved without completely restricting the phone’s usability.
How It Reduces Power Consumption
Low Power Mode reduces power consumption by modifying system behaviors to use less energy. The most significant adjustment is CPU and GPU throttling, which lowers processing speed to prevent excessive power drain. This means that demanding tasks like gaming or video editing may run less smoothly. The display also dims automatically and reduces the refresh rate to limit energy use. By restricting background processes such as automatic syncing and app refreshing, the phone avoids unnecessary power loss.
Additionally, the battery optimization settings prevent excessive use of power-hungry features like location services and background activity. Combined, these changes create an efficient, power-saving environment that allows users to extend their device’s battery life when charging isn’t an option. While Low Power Mode isn’t meant for daily use, it is an effective tool when battery life is running low.
Does Low Power Mode Improve Charging Speed?
Yes, Low Power Mode can help your iPhone charge faster. While it doesn’t increase the actual wattage of the charger, it reduces the phone’s power consumption, allowing more energy to go directly toward charging the battery. By disabling background app refresh, mail fetching, automatic downloads, and system animations, the iPhone requires less power to function while plugged in.
Since the phone isn’t using as much power during charging, the battery fills up more efficiently, resulting in a faster overall charge compared to when Low Power Mode is off. However, the difference may not be drastic—using a higher-wattage power adapter (20W or more) and a quality USB-C cable will have a much greater impact on charging speed. Still, if you’re looking for every possible way to charge faster, turning on Low Power Mode is a simple and effective trick. Is your phone charging slower than usual and you’re not sure why? Find the answers in our in-depth article: Why is My Phone Charging Slow? | Comprehensive Guide.
Other Ways to Charge Your Phone Faster
If you want to speed up your iPhone’s charging time, several factors beyond Low Power Mode can make a significant difference. The charger you use, how you charge, and even how you use your phone while it’s plugged in all impact the charging speed. Below are the most effective ways to charge your iPhone faster. However, if you need more advanced solutions to slow charging, head over to How to Make Phone Charge Faster | Complete Guide for expert tips
1. Use a High-Wattage Power Adapter (20W or Higher)
- Fast chargers can reach 50% in 30 minutes.
- Use a USB-C to Lightning or USB-C to USB-C cable.
- Avoid slow 5W chargers.
2. Use a Wired Charger Instead of Wireless
- Wired charging is faster than MagSafe and other wireless options.
- MagSafe maxes out at 15W, while wired can deliver 20W+.
3. Plug Into a Wall Outlet Instead of a USB Port
- Laptop and car USB ports provide limited power (5W–10W).
- A wall outlet delivers full charging speed.
4. Reduce Background Activity While Charging
- Turn off Background App Refresh & Automatic Updates.
- Disable Mail Fetch to stop unnecessary syncing.
5. Keep the Screen Off While Charging
- The screen drains power; lock it for faster charging.
- Avoid gaming, streaming, or heavy usage.
6. Charge in a Cool Environment
- Heat slows charging and affects battery life.
- Avoid direct sunlight and remove thick cases if overheating.
MOFT Charging Solutions
When it comes to fast and efficient charging, having the right accessories makes all the difference. While optimizing your settings and using the right charger can speed up charging, portable solutions ensure you stay powered anywhere. MOFT designs lightweight, travel-friendly charging options that keep up with your daily needs. Check out our one of the best selling chargers below.
Snap Battery Pack
A powerful charging setup isn’t always about cables and wall adapters—sometimes, you need a reliable backup when you’re away from outlets. The MOFT Snap Battery Pack provides wireless, on-the-go charging with a strong MagSafe connection for seamless attachment. Unlike bulky power banks, its lightweight and slim design makes it easy to carry without extra hassle. Supporting pass-through charging, it allows you to charge your phone and battery pack at the same time, so you’re never stuck waiting. Whether used as a quick top-up during the day or a full recharge while traveling, the Snap Battery Pack is a convenient, fast-charging solution that fits into any lifestyle.
Wrap Up
Low Power Mode is primarily designed to extend battery life, but it can also help speed up charging by reducing power consumption while plugged in. Although the difference may not be drastic, it ensures that more of the incoming charge goes directly to the battery rather than being used for background processes.
However, if you truly want to charge your iPhone faster, using a high-wattage charger (20W or higher) and a quality USB-C cable will have a much greater impact. Other factors, like avoiding wireless charging, reducing background activity, and keeping your screen off, can also make a noticeable difference.
By following these best practices, you can reduce charging time and keep your iPhone powered up more efficiently. Whether you need a quick boost before heading out or want to maintain a healthy battery, these methods will help you charge smarter and faster.
