Apple Shares List of 12 Features Affected by watchOS 9's New Low Power Mode

[MacRumors]

watchOS 9 introduces a new Low Power Mode for the Apple Watch Series 4 and later that is designed to extend battery life by disabling or limiting some features and sensors while enabled, such as the always-on display and background heart rate monitoring.

In a new support document published today, Apple detailed specific features that are disabled or affected when Low Power Mode is turned on:

Low Power Mode turns off these features
- Always On display
- Heart rate notifications for irregular rhythm, high heart rate, and low heart rate
- Background heart rate measurements
- Background blood oxygen measurements
- Start workout reminder

Low Power Mode turns off these features when your iPhone isn't nearby
- Wi-Fi and cellular connections
- Incoming phone calls and notifications

Low Power Mode affects these features
- Making a phone call can take longer
- Background app refresh happens less frequently
- Complications update less frequently
- Siri can take longer to process a request
- Some animations and scrolling might appear less smooth

For safety purposes, Apple says Fall Detection continues to work in Low Power Mode.

To enable Low Power Mode, swipe up on the watch face to open Control Center, tap on the battery percentage button, and turn on Low Power Mode.

When an Apple Watch's battery percentage drops to 10%, a Low Power Mode alert asks users if they want to turn on the feature. Low Power Mode turns off automatically when an Apple Watch is charged to 80%, unless users manually turn it on for a set number of days.

Apple says users can have Low Power Mode turn on automatically when they begin a workout, with metrics such as heart rate and pace still measured.

Apple notes that when Low Power Mode is enabled without your iPhone nearby, and you open an app that requires a data connection, Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity will resume so that the app can function properly, which can cause "significant battery consumption."

watchOS 9 was released today as a free software update for the Apple Watch Series 4 and later. The new Low Power Mode is separate from the Apple Watch's existing Power Reserve mode that only displays the clock when enabled.

Article Link: Apple Shares List of 12 Features Affected by watchOS 9's New Low Power Mode

 

[GuruZac]

“Low Power Mode turns your smartwatch in to a conventional watch, and we think you’re gonna love it.”

 

[japanime]

So, if I understand correctly, the built-in Workouts app continues to record a workout even if the watch goes into low-power mode? If so, this alone absolutely makes me want to upgrade.

 

[fwmireault]

So, if I understand correctly, the built-in Workouts app continues to record a workout even if the watch goes into low-power mode? If so, this alone absolutely makes me want to upgrade.

I don’t know which Apple Watch you currently have, but Low Power Mode is coming to Apple Watch S4 and later

 

[LeadingHeat]

For safety purposes, Apple says Fall Detection continues to work in Low Power Mode.

I guess irregular hearth rhythm notifications didn’t make the cut for safety

 

[BF1M]

They changed the phone ping sound!

 

[FelixDerKater]

“Low Power Mode turns your smartwatch in to a conventional watch, and we think you’re gonna love it.”

Just like all the power saving guides for the earlier model phones that basically had you turn off every useful feature.

 

[erikkfi]

Welp, wouldn’t want to do without background heart rate recording so I guess I won’t be using this after all.

 

[Westside guy]

Based on past experience, I'm going to hold off until they get to at least watchOS 9.2. Battery drain is typically terrible after major updates, and bugs are plentiful.

So no low power mode for me, at least for a while...

 

[kalafalas]

Leaving cellular disconnected until you open an app is genius. Won’t receive incoming calls or notifications is fine, but not having to manually flip AirPlane mode when I check messages is gonna be great!

 

[gund1234]

Let the complaints begin.

 

[gund1234]

Welp, wouldn’t want to do without background heart rate recording so I guess I won’t be using this after all.

Apple should have given customers options to fine tune it probably.

 

[Wackery]

to me, theatre mode is low power mode

 

[Kazgarth]

Not worth the trade-offs.

 

[akidokraja]

So, cellular AW will not notify you of calls when iPhone is not present?? How does that make any sense?

 

[helloapple1]

So, if I understand correctly, the built-in Workouts app continues to record a workout even if the watch goes into low-power mode? If so, this alone absolutely makes me want to upgrade.

Yup. I did a run workout while on low power mode today.

 

[Black.Infinity]

Apple should have given customers options to fine tune it probably.

Apple doesn't want its customer to think.

 

[gsmornot]

If you have afib, buy a charger. I follow all of the items on the list but this one.

 

[macgician]

So lower power mode (aw) = casio watch 😂

Not complaining, saying that is useful during international travels

 

[macduke]

This is just the feature to get my Series 4 battery life through next summer, when it will likely be hurting, ahead of upgrading to the Apple Watch Ultra 2.

 

[Cmd-Z]

I can imagine the confusion and frustration we'll hear about with cellular models, since LPM shuts off incoming calls when your iPhone is not nearby. "Huh, wuh?" 😟

 

[goobot]

Apple should have given customers options to fine tune it probably.

Yea this seems like the best move. Lots of people would priority different things

 

[_Spinn_]

Not super surprising that a lot of stuff gets disabled. Not sure many will like this though.

 

[svish]

Looks like battery life will be significantly improved with low power mode turned on.

 

[KeepCalmPeople]

Functionally gets you very close to “No Power Mode” aka turn it off with infinite battery life.