In iOS 26, 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.

iPhone 16 Battery Life Feature

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.

The iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and ‌iPhone 17 Pro‌ Max have the iOS 26 Adaptive Power option enabled by default.

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

While Adaptive Power is available for the ‌iPhone 17‌ models, iPhone 16 models, and the iPhone 15 Pro models, it is only turned on automatically on the ‌iPhone 17‌ models. It is off by default on ‌iPhone 16‌ models, the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro, and the ‌iPhone 15‌ Pro Max.

How to Enable or Disable Adaptive Power Mode

Follow these steps to enable or disable the feature:

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

settings

If you enabled the feature, your iPhone will automatically monitor battery usage patterns and make adjustments when needed. If you'd like to be alerted to when changes are made, be sure to toggle on Adaptive Power Notifications in the same settings menu. You don't need to manage the feature manually, as it works entirely behind the scenes.

Top Rated Comments

thejadedmonkey Avatar
thejadedmonkey
27 weeks ago
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.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
thiscatisfat Avatar
thiscatisfat
27 weeks ago

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.".
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Reeneman Avatar
Reeneman
27 weeks ago
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.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
slippery-pete Avatar
slippery-pete
27 weeks ago

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...
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BorisDG Avatar
BorisDG
27 weeks ago
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.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Macbookey Avatar
Macbookey
27 weeks ago
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.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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