“How to Turn Off Power Reserve on Apple Watch” is one of the most searched queries online regarding Apple’s popular wearable, and for a good reason. Well, maybe not that good, because while some smartwatches can last for several days on a single charge, the Apple Watch only runs for most of the day. It gives about 18 hours on average, depending on how you use it.
Despite a slightly rocky start, the Apple Watch has reached full sprint and, at this point, is now channeling its inner Captain America and calling out “On your left” as it breezes past every other smartwatch in the market.
However, it isn’t for everyone. You don’t like the idea of charging your watch on a near-daily basis? The Apple Watch can’t help you. Do you use an Android phone? The Apple Watch isn’t for you. Ouch!
That last criterion, in particular, cuts out a huge chunk of customers, as Android remains the most popular mobile operating system globally.
So while yes, there’s no arguing that the Apple Watch is the best overall smartwatch, the details are where the devil is. So here’s a look at everything you need to know about this premium wristwear, and also how to turn off the power reserve on Apple Watch.
Apple Watch: An Overview
Courtesy of Apple Inc., the Apple Watch is a line of smartwatches that integrates health-oriented capabilities, fitness tracking, and wireless communication with iOS and other Apple products and services. It was first released in April 2015 and quickly became the best-selling wearing device, with 4.2 million units sold in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.
And as of December 2020, more than 101 million people were estimated to use an Apple Watch. Apple releases a new generation with internal improvements every September, each labeled as a ‘Series’.
The goal of the Apple Watch was to complement the iPhone and add new functions, and also to free people from having to rely too much on their phones. Ironically, the device was not branded as “iWatch”, which would have put it in line with other Apple product lines like the iPod, iPhone, and iPad.
How the Apple Watch Works
The watch synchronizes with the user’s iPhone for functions like configuring the watch and syncing data with iPhone apps. However, it can separately connect to a Wi-Fi network for data-reliant purposes like app use, communications, and audio streaming.
LTE-equipped models can also carry out these functions over a mobile network and can make and receive phone calls independently when the paired iPhone is unavailable. This substantially reduces the need for an iPhone after initial setup.
The oldest compatible iPhone model with any given Apple Watch depends on the device’s version of system software. As of September 2022, new watches come with watchOS 9 preinstalled and also require an iPhone running iOS 16, which is available for the iPhone 8 and later classes.
Apple Watch Series
First generation
The Apple Watch’s first generation (colloquially known as Series 0) operates with the single-core S1 system-on-chip. Lacking a built-in GPS chip, it instead relies on a paired iPhone for location services.
It is equipped with linear actuator hardware from Apple called the “Taptic Engine”, which provides realistic haptic feedback when an alert or a notification comes in. Certain apps also use it for other purposes.
The watch is also equipped with a built-in heart rate sensor, which uses infrared, visible-light LEDs and photodiodes. All versions of the first-generation watches come with 8 GB of storage, and pairing it with an iPhone lets the user access and control all of the iPhone’s music from the watch.
However, software support for the first series ended with watchOS 4.3.2.
Second generation (Series 1 and 2)
The second generation has two models; the Apple Watch Series 1 and Series 2.
The Series 1 has a lower starting price than the first generation and also has a variant of the dual-core Apple S2 processor minus GPS, known as the Apple S1P. The Series 2, however, has the dual-core Apple S2 processor, a display twice as bright, at 1000 nits, water resistance up to 50 meters, and a GPS receiver.
In addition, the Apple Watch Nike+ Series 2 is the first Apple Watch model available as the Nike, Inc. collaborate special option.
Software support for both Series 1 and 2 ended with watchOS 6.3.
Third generation (Series 3)
With a faster processor, the dual-core S3, Bluetooth 4.2 (as opposed to 4.0 on older models), an increased RAM size, and a built-in altimeter for measuring flights of stairs climbed, the Series 3’s increased speed allows Siri to speak through the onboard speaker. Suffice to say this is where Apple finally started getting serious.
The Series 3 was also the first to feature LTE cellular connectivity. This enabled users to make phone calls, send iMessage and stream Apple Music and Podcasts directly on the watch, independent of the phone. The LTE model also contains an eSIM that shares an identical mobile number with the user’s iPhone.
Software support for the Series 3 ended with watchOS 8.8.1.
Fourth generation (Series 4)
The Series 4 is the Apple Watch’s first predominant redesign. It featured a new S4 64-bit dual-core processor, capable of double the S3’s performance, a new electrical heart sensor, and an upgraded 16 GB storage.
Externally, it has larger displays with rounded corners and thinner bezels, as well as a slightly thinner and rounder chassis with a redesigned ceramic back. The microphone was relocated to the opposite side between the digital crown and the side button to improve call quality.
Other changes included the new Apple-designed W3 wireless chip, and the digital crown incorporating haptic feedback with the Apple Haptic Engine. It can also detect falls and automatically contact emergency services unless the user cancels the outgoing call.
The Series 4 is also the first ever consumer device to receive clearance for an ECG system from the United States Food and Drug Administration, and also support from the American Heart Association.
Fifth generation (Series 5 & SE (1st gen))
The Series 5’s principal improvements over its predecessor were the addition of a compass and an always-on display. The latter has a low-power display driver capable of refresh rates as low as once per second.
Other new features include a more energy-efficient S5 processor, International Emergency Calling that enables emergency calls in over 150 countries, storage doubled to 32 GB, and an improved ambient light sensor.
Apple also released the Apple Watch SE, a lower-cost model that incorporates the Series 6’s always-on altimeter, but with the previous-generation S5 processor and second-generation optical heart rate sensor.
The SE does not include ECG and blood oximeter sensors or an always-on display and also does not have 5 GHz Wi-Fi communication capabilities or ultra-wideband (UWB).
Sixth generation (Series 6)
The Series 6’s principal improvement over its predecessor is the addition of a sensor to monitor blood oxygen saturation.
Additional features include a new S6 processor that is 20% faster than the S4 and S5, an always-on altimeter, and a 2.5× brighter always-on display. The S6 uses an updated, third-generation optical heart rate sensor and enhanced telecommunication technology; the latter includes support for ultra-wideband (UWB) via Apple’s U1 chip, and the ability to connect to 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks.
The Series 6 watch was updated with faster-charging hardware that allows it to complete charging in ~1.5 hours.[90] Force Touch hardware was removed, in line with the removal of all Force Touch functionality from watchOS 7.
Seventh generation (Series 7)
The Apple Watch Series 7’s enhancements relative to the Series 6 watch include a display 70% brighter indoors and approximately 20% larger, a more rounded design with a 1 mm larger case than the Series 6, and improved durability via a crack-resistant front crystal.
The new Series also has a 33% faster charging and an enhanced, USB-C-based fast-charging cable, support for BeiDou (China’s satellite navigation system), IP6X certification for resistance to dust, and the availability of an on-screen keyboard. The Series 7 is also capable of ultra-rapid, short-range wireless data transfer at 60.5 GHz, though Apple has not fully explained this new functionality.
Eighth generation (Series 8, SE (2nd gen), & Ultra)
The Apple Watch Series 8, the second-generation Apple Watch SE, and the Apple Watch Ultra were all announced on September 7, 2022, during an Apple Special Event.
The Series 8’s enhancements include more precise accelerometers and gyroscopes, a new temperature sensor, and gyroscopes capable of detecting the occurrence of a car crash.
The Apple Watch Ultra is the first model to feature a new tough and rugged titanium casing in a natural finish, a flat sapphire front crystal, and an additional orange Action button located on the opposite side of the Side Button and the Digital Crown.
It is designed for extreme activities like elite athletics, endurance sports, trailblazing, adventure, ocean, and water sports.
Battery Life of the Apple Watch
According to Apple, the Apple Watch has an estimated battery life of 18 hours, which is the watch’s only minus for tech reviewers. The battery can be charged by inductive charging, and if the charge falls to less than 10%, the user gets an alert to enable Low Power Mode.
Low power mode allows for continuous usage while some features are disabled. When the battery is sufficiently charged, the watch reverts to its original mode.
Power Reserve Mode on the Apple Watch
Power reserve mode was added to the Apple Watch for the most extreme circumstance when the user has no access to power to charge the watch. To save power, it turns off all features except for the most basic function of a watch — showing the time.
If your battery falls to 10%, the Apple Watch will automatically display a notification asking if you want to enter Power Reserve mode. If you want to continue, tap “Proceed” and the watch will go into power reserve mode.
How to Turn On Power Reserve on Apple Watch
You can also enter Power Reserve mode manually anytime you like:
- Swipe up from the bottom of the watch.
- Tap the battery percentage remaining button.
- On the battery screen, swipe the Power Reserve button to the right.
- Confirm you want to enter Power Reserve by tapping “Proceed.”
After you tap “Proceed,” the watch will immediately enter Power Reserve mode.
How to Turn Off Power Reserve on Apple Watch
Getting the watch to function normally after turning on Power Reserve mode can be a little difficult since the watch no longer responds to your touch. As it turns out, the only way to exit Power Reserve mode is to restart your watch.
To switch it off, press and hold the side button for about 10 seconds until you see the Apple Logo. Your watch will restart.
Keep in mind that if your battery is almost or completely empty, you might need to charge the watch before it restarts normally. It may take a while, but your watch will return to its normal state once it restarts.
Conclusion on How to Turn Off Power Reserve on Apple Watch
So, there you have it. How to turn off power reserve on Apple Watch in simple, easy steps. While it’s easy to enable Power Reserve, some might struggle to figure out how to disable it. But simply follow the steps above and you can disable power reserve and have access to your watch’s full features again — provided you have enough battery left!
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