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For a broad battery-saving change, turn on Low Power Mode; for a more targeted adjustment, disable Background App Refresh for apps that do not need frequent updates. You can also reduce display activity, adjust workout sampling on supported watches, and check connectivity and Battery Health if the drain continues. Apple does not publish a guaranteed number of extra hours for any individual setting, and the tradeoffs vary by feature and model.

Start with Low Power Mode when you need a broad reduction

On Apple Watch, press the side button to open Control Center, tap the battery percentage, then turn on Low Power Mode. You can also go to Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode. Apple says the watch prompts you about Low Power Mode when the battery reaches 10% or lower. It automatically turns off after the watch charges to 80%, unless you chose a duration. Apple’s Low Power Mode guide describes the feature and its effects.

Low Power Mode reduces or disables several features, including Always On, background heart-rate and blood-oxygen measurements, and some heart-rate notifications. It can also delay other notifications, limit some Wi-Fi and cellular behavior, and reduce background refresh and complication updates. The exact effects depend in part on whether the paired iPhone is nearby and which features your watch supports. Choose it selectively if you rely on health measurements or time-sensitive notifications.

Reduce background updates without changing everything

Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. You can switch background refresh off for all apps or disable it only for apps that do not need to keep information current. A targeted change preserves background updates for the apps you care about.

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Apple notes that complications on the active watch face continue to refresh even when Background App Refresh is off. If a complication is frequently updating, consider removing it or choosing a less frequently updated one. Apple does not state how much battery either change will save. Apple’s battery-life guide documents these options.

Choose display changes that fit your watch use

Turn off Always On

On a supported model, open Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On and turn off Always On. Apple says the feature is on by default for Apple Watch Series 5 and later, SE 3, and Ultra and later. With Always On disabled, you must wake the display to see the watch face. Always On is already unavailable while Low Power Mode or Theater Mode is active. Apple’s Always On instructions explain model support and behavior.

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Lower brightness and adjust wake behavior

In Settings > Display & Brightness, lower the brightness or change Wake Duration. You can also turn off Wake on Wrist Raise or Wake on Crown Rotation to prevent the display from waking in those situations. These options reduce brightness or display activity, but Apple does not give a battery-hour estimate for each setting. Try the change that interferes least with how you check the time. Apple’s watchOS 27 display-settings guide covers these controls.

Extend long outdoor workouts by reducing sensor readings

For supported watches running watchOS 9.1 or later, go to Settings > Workout > Fewer GPS and Heart Rate Readings. This option works during outdoor walking, running, or hiking when Low Power Mode is active. Apple lists Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), Series 8 and later, and Ultra and later as supported model families. Apple says reducing these readings can extend battery use during long workouts.

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The tradeoff is less workout detail: workout alerts are off, splits and segments are not recorded, and current pace is unavailable while reduced sampling is active. Leave this option off when those metrics matter more than extending runtime. Apple’s Low Power Mode guide lists the supported models and workout effects.

Check connectivity and recent updates if the drain is unexpected

  • Prefer Bluetooth to your paired iPhone. Apple says Apple Watch is most efficient when connected to its iPhone over Bluetooth.
  • When away from the iPhone, use Wi-Fi when practical. Apple recommends Wi-Fi over mobile data and a strong signal. If you do not need connectivity in an area with weak Wi-Fi or no mobile coverage, use Airplane Mode.
  • Allow time after a software update. Update-related work can continue in the background and affect battery life. If the drain began after an update, wait a few days and check again.

These troubleshooting recommendations are in Apple’s guidance for an Apple Watch battery that drains too quickly.

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Check Battery Health before assuming a setting will solve it

Open Settings > Battery > Battery Health to see Maximum Capacity, which shows battery capacity relative to when the battery was new. If the watch reports “Battery Needs Service,” or you think the battery needs replacement, contact Apple Support. Apple’s guidance does not establish one universal Maximum Capacity percentage at which every owner should replace a battery.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Pick the least disruptive change for your situation

Situation Setting to try Main tradeoff
You need a broad reduction now Low Power Mode Some health measurements, notifications, background updates, and connectivity behavior are reduced or disabled.
Only certain apps need less background activity Disable Background App Refresh for selected apps Those apps may not update as often in the background; active-face complications still refresh.
You want the face to wake only when needed Turn off Always On, or adjust brightness and wake controls You may need to wake the display manually or accept a dimmer screen and fewer automatic wake-ups.
You are on a long outdoor walk, run, or hike Use Fewer GPS and Heart Rate Readings with Low Power Mode, if supported Workout alerts, splits, segments, and current pace are unavailable while reduced sampling is active.
Battery life remains unexpectedly poor Check Battery Health and Apple’s troubleshooting guidance A setting change may not address a battery that needs service.

Apple’s support pages do not quantify the extra runtime from these individual changes, so treat them as ways to reduce power use rather than promises of a particular number of hours.

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