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.
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:
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap Battery.
- Tap Power Mode.
- Toggle on/off the switch next to Adaptive Power.
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
I wonder what specifically about it is "AI", as opposed to ML, which is supported on the iPhone 11 or later IIRC.
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.