iOS 26: Extend iPhone Battery Life With Adaptive Power Mode

[MacRumors]

In iOS 26, currently in beta, Apple offers a new Adaptive Power Mode that works alongside the existing Low Power Mode to intelligently extend your iPhone's battery life. Unlike Low Power Mode's heavy restrictions, this AI-powered feature makes subtle adjustments that you're barely meant to notice. Here's how it works.

What Adaptive Power Mode Does

When your battery usage runs higher than usual, Adaptive Power Mode automatically makes small performance tweaks to help your iPhone last longer. Apple says this includes slightly dimming the display brightness or allowing some tasks to "take a little longer" to complete.

The feature works in the background without the limitations of Low Power Mode, although the latter may still be activated if your device depletes to a 20% charge level.

Compatible iPhone Models

Adaptive Power Mode requires Apple Intelligence, which limits availability to the following iPhone models:

• iPhone 15 Pro
• iPhone 15 Pro Max
• iPhone 16e
• iPhone 16
• iPhone 16 Plus
• iPhone 16 Pro
• iPhone 16 Pro Max

The feature won't work on iPhone 14 Pro models or earlier, since they lack the necessary AI processing capabilities. However, if you're the proud owner of an iPhone 17 (launching September 2025), rest assured Adaptive Power Mode is supported.

How to Turn On Adaptive Power Mode

Follow these steps to enable the feature, which is turned off by default:

1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap Battery.
3. Tap Power Mode.
4. Toggle on the switch next to Adaptive Power.

Once enabled, your iPhone will automatically monitor battery usage patterns and make adjustments when needed. You don't need to manage the feature manually, as it works entirely behind the scenes. iOS 26 will see a general release in September 2025.

Article Link: iOS 26: Extend iPhone Battery Life With Adaptive Power Mode

 

[thiscatisfat]

Adaptive Power Mode requires Apple Intelligence,

You know, when they can't make an upgrade enticing by making a new iPhone an actual upgrade that's worthwhile and they start putting 3 year old devices in a disadvantage with software, you know things are bad at Apple. No, Apple, I won't buy the new iPhone 17, which is the same as 16, which is the same as 15, which is the same as 14, which is the same as 13, which the same as 12, which is a bit better than 11. Like there's literally no point in buying a new iPhone for your average Joe who used to upgrade every year or every two years. There's just no way in hell an iPhone 14 Pro could not handle some freaking a d a p t i v e power mode when all it does is "slightly dimming the display brightness or allowing some tasks to "take a little longer" to complete.".

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I remember, back when we used to call things like this "algorithms".

I wonder what specifically about it is "AI", as opposed to ML, which is supported on the iPhone 11 or later IIRC.

 

[Reeneman]

Once again a feature that’s locked behind Apple AI that’s just laughable.
That’s a pretty simple measurement of your usual behaviour. Is there a higher usage during the day (less battery % as usual in the given time) the phone turns on some battery saving features. That’s all.

 

[MCKLMT]

Does this feature work even if Apple Intelligence is disabled on the iPhone?

 

[BorisDG]

I can't believe that the 17 TOPS in the A16 aren't enough for this feature. Typical Apple BS. We all know it's an artificially limited feature designed to push people into getting a new phone.

 

[HouseLannister]

it works entirely behind the scenes

But does it though? No one in the testing thread can seem to tell if it is actually working as intended.

 

[gsmornot]

I forgot about this feature. I'm going to turn it on and give it a run. If it's not working out, I will turn it off again.

 

[Macbookey]

Pushing AI driven features for upgrades is a poor strategy given the laughing stock they are in the game. They possess all the arrogance needed however to stick with the strategy. How about a more efficient OS for everyone to balance the candy gloss they are shipping in September? That would take a cohesive software strategy, and clearly they are not able to deliver on that front any time soon.

 

[al256]

I hope I’ll remember all these articles written a month or two before the release date when I’ll actually be able to use them

 

[Reeneman]

I hope I’ll remember all these articles written a month or two before the release date when I’ll actually be able to use them

Probably it’s also turned on by default after your upgrade to iOS 26.
Otherwise there are tons of articles around iOS 26 also after its release on all the tech and especially the apple fan websites.

 

[MNWildFan]

Once again a feature that’s locked behind Apple AI that’s just laughable.
That’s a pretty simple measurement of your usual behaviour. Is there a higher usage during the day (less battery % as usual in the given time) the phone turns on some battery saving features. That’s all.

I agree

Heck, my Apple Watch (series 8) of which I have running on the watchOS 26 betas can even do something similar to this and it's not locked behind AI

 

[MNWildFan]

Does this feature work even if Apple Intelligence is disabled on the iPhone?

By that logic, I wouldn't think so, given that it's an AI feature

 

[MNWildFan]

Pushing AI driven features for upgrades is a poor strategy given the laughing stock they are in the game. They possess all the arrogance needed however to stick with the strategy. How about a more efficient OS for everyone to balance the candy gloss they are shipping in September? That would take a cohesive software strategy, and clearly they are not able to deliver on that front any time soon.

You know what, I completely agree

It makes me wonder when at some point, they'll throw in the towel on their own efforts of what they've done with Apple Intelligence so far and just partner with the others to just allow them to use their models

With being laughably behind the 8-ball at this point, I feel like it's the only sensible option

 

[Tomas1988]

By that logic, I wouldn't think so, given that it's an AI feature

Apple Intelligence is an AI-based feature set for language, images, and Siri enhancements, but Adaptive Power Mode is a system-level battery optimization feature. It automatically adjusts performance and background activity to extend battery life based on your usage patterns, and those adjustments are handled by iOS’s built‑in power management system, not by Apple Intelligence.

 

[bmark]

Adaptive power mode is just a marketing gimmick! No one is upgrading their phone for this feature.

 

[Vistaus]

Apple Intelligence is an AI-based feature set for language, images, and Siri enhancements, but Adaptive Power Mode is a system-level battery optimization feature. It automatically adjusts performance and background activity to extend battery life based on your usage patterns, and those adjustments are handled by iOS’s built‑in power management system, not by Apple Intelligence.

Then why is it not supported on e.g. my iPhone 15?

 

[k1121j]

Of all worst times to dim the display is when I’m actively looking at it. 🙄

Here’s some intelligence for ya apple dim it when I’m not looking at it. Now that’s smart. Your welcome. 🙏

 

[ronno]

Dimming the screen and slowing the processor is “AI” now.

At least it can be activated without Apple Intelligence, as I already turned that off because it drains the battery. 🤨

 

[citysnaps]

An excellent feature. Of course most here will reflexively knock it. A tradition.

 

[Lwii2boo]

Ofc it requires "Apple Intelligence" classic Timmy 🤡

 

[Gobeatty]

Let’s see - Apple deploys AI to do something really useful like extending battery life in a way that users will hardly notice or not notice degraded performance and folks on this forum who know nothing about how it works can only trash it? No good deed goes unpunished I guess.

 

[slippery-pete]

You know, when they can't make an upgrade enticing by making a new iPhone an actual upgrade that's worthwhile and they start putting 3 year old devices in a disadvantage with software, you know things are bad at Apple. No, Apple, I won't buy the new iPhone 17, which is the same as 16, which is the same as 15, which is the same as 14, which is the same as 13, which the same as 12, which is a bit better than 11. Like there's literally no point of buying a new iPhone for your average Joe who used to upgrade every year or every two years. There's just no way in hell an iPhone 14 Pro could not handle some freaking a d a p t i v e power mode when all it does is "slightly dimming the display brightness or allowing some tasks to "take a little longer" to complete.".

Curious. Since basically every release for the last for the last five release cycles is the "same phone" in your opinion, which phone do you currently own?

 

[slippery-pete]

Let’s see - Apple deploys AI to do something really useful like extending battery life in a way that users will hardly notice or not notice degraded performance and folks on this forum who know nothing about how it works can only trash it? No good deed goes unpunished I guess.

Just an observation. This board is filled with some truly miserable people, who will complain about anything and everything Apple does. They must carry that same "cheer" to all aspects of their lives...

 

[thejadedmonkey]

An excellent feature. Of course most here will reflexively knock it. A tradition.

Because if was actually using an LLM "AI", it would use more power than it saved.

And iPhones all the way back to the Xs supports CoreML, which was the "AI" before the LLM craze.