October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsClean PCRecommendedOne scan can reveal what keeps slowing WindowsLook for cleanup and repair opportunities.Run ScanOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
WatchRanker
Search
For vendors
Blog

How to Improve Apple Watch Battery Life With the Right Settings

Adjust Low Power Mode, app refresh, display behavior, and eligible workout readings to balance longer Apple Watch runtime against the features you rely on.
Estimate4–5 min Catalogued SpecialistWatchRanker Team

Free tools Windows power users keep installed

One-click scans. No signup required.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

To make an Apple Watch last longer, start with Low Power Mode, Background App Refresh, and the display settings you use least. These options can extend runtime by limiting features, but Apple does not publish a guaranteed number of extra hours for each setting. Choose changes according to what you can do without: some affect health measurements, notifications, app updates, or workout details.

Choose settings by what you are willing to trade

There is no single best battery-saving configuration for every Apple Watch. Low Power Mode makes broader changes; Background App Refresh and display controls let you target particular conveniences. For longer outdoor workouts, a separate option can reduce GPS and heart-rate readings on eligible models.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Setting What changes Useful when
Low Power Mode Limits or turns off selected features; some notifications may be delayed and connectivity limited. You need more runtime and can accept a less connected watch.
Background App Refresh Stops or reduces background updates for all or selected apps; active-face complications may still refresh. You want to limit app updates without changing display or workout settings.
Display controls Reduces screen wake behavior or turns off Always On on supported models. You can accept waking the display deliberately or seeing it less often.
Fewer GPS and Heart Rate Readings Reduces readings during supported outdoor workouts; alerts, splits, segments, and current pace are unavailable. You prioritize runtime during a long outdoor walk, run, or hike over those workout details.

Apple’s guidance describes what these settings change, but does not rank them by battery hours saved. Avoid assuming a particular percentage improvement.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Use Low Power Mode when its limitations fit

On Apple Watch, press the side button to open Control Center, tap the battery percentage, then turn on Low Power Mode. You can also open Settings on the watch and enable it there. Apple’s general battery guide says Low Power Mode is offered at 10% battery or lower; its support instructions also describe turning it on from the controls.

#1 Best Overall
Sale
LN LENQIN Mens Watches Military Sport Analog Quartz Watch for Men
  • ⌚ MENS WATCHES ANALOG: Mens military watches made with shock-resistant stainless steel case and anti-scratch mineral window, exquisitely crafted and durable. Men's watch strap width: 22mm / 0.86 inches, stainless steel case: 42mm / 1.65 inches.
  • ⌚ MILITARY WATCHES FOR MEN: This mens field watch is very suitable for active lifestyles, with a comfortable double nylon strap, will suitable for personal use and good for anniversary, graduation, business, birthday , the father's day , Christmas .
  • ⌚3 ATM WATERPROOF MILITARY WATCHES: 30M waterproof, sweat-proof, rain-proof and hand-washing for daily life, no problem. But NOT suitable for swimming, bathing, diving or touch hot water. Perfect for most of indoor / outdoor sports.
  • ⌚ EASY TO READ TIME: 12 / 24 hrs military time and luminous dial. The mens watches equipped with date calendar can tell you the time quickly and accurately. Come with luminous function, easy to read the time even in the dark.
  • ⌚ PURCHASE WITHOUT WORRY: Japan imported quartz analog movement and battery, long-term operation. for 1 years,24-hour customer service is at your service.

The mode disables Always On and background heart-rate and blood-oxygen measurements, as well as heart-rate notifications. Some notifications may arrive late, emergency alerts may not arrive, and some Wi-Fi or cellular connections are limited. Apple also says you can schedule Low Power Mode for one, two, or three days. Those changes make it useful when runtime matters more than having every feature available, but not necessarily as an everyday default.

Low Power Mode can preserve heart-rate and pace measurement when you use the Workout app. You can also configure it to turn on automatically when a workout begins: on the watch, open Settings > Workout and turn on Low Power Mode. The workout-specific option to reduce GPS and heart-rate readings is separate and described below.

Limit Background App Refresh

Background App Refresh lets apps update when you are not actively using them, and Apple notes that refreshing apps in the background can use power. To change it on the watch, open Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Turn the feature off altogether or leave it on and disable refresh for selected apps.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #2
XSNE Digital Watch Sports Waterproof Military Back Light Small Watch for Men Black 1426
  • FUNCTIONS: Countdown,Snooze,Hourly time,Date/Week,EL night-light,Stopwatch(1/100 seconds),Alarm,12/24 hour formart
  • 164FT/50M WATERPROOF:Can't wear swimming and taking a hot bath. Because the general watch uses a sealing method to prevent the intrusion of sweat and harmful gases, it is not absolutely not water.only wash hands, shower, Satisfy daily use.NOTE: *Please don't press any buttons under water*
  • HIGH QUALITY:Made with quality materials which enable the watch to be tough and durable.COMFORTABLE :Silicone watch band,Suitable for your wrist, Light weight and comfortable to wear.
  • BACKLIGHT UPGRADE:Easy-to-read numbers can be clearly seen during the day and night.
  • GIFT : It is a great gift for family and friends, especially suitable for you.

There is an important exception: apps with complications on the watch face currently in use may still refresh even when their Background App Refresh setting is off. If you still see updates from a complication, that does not necessarily mean the control failed; the active face can affect its behavior.

Reduce display wake-ups and Always On use

Open Settings > Display & Brightness to adjust brightness, Wake on Wrist Raise, Wake on Crown Rotation, and Wake Duration. Lowering brightness or disabling a wake behavior can make the screen less available at a glance, so change only the controls whose convenience you do not value.

On models with Always On, that feature has its own control in Display & Brightness. Apple says turning Always On off can increase battery life. The display still wakes when you raise your wrist or turn the Digital Crown if those wake controls are enabled, but it will not remain visible in the same way between interactions.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

Use fewer workout readings for eligible outdoor sessions

For an outdoor walking, running, or hiking workout, Apple offers Fewer GPS and Heart Rate Readings while Low Power Mode is active. Apple lists availability with watchOS 9.1 or later on Apple Watch SE (2nd generation), Series 8 and later, and Ultra and later. The setting is intended for specific outdoor workouts, not every model or activity.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

When this option is active, workout alerts are off, splits and segments are not recorded, and current pace is unavailable. To find it, open Settings > Workout on the watch and turn on Fewer GPS and Heart Rate Readings. Use it when a long outdoor session makes runtime especially important and those details are not essential to you.

If the battery still drains unusually quickly

Battery life depends on battery capacity and on how software and hardware features are used. A sudden or persistent change is not enough on its own to diagnose a failed battery: Apple notes that update-related background activity can affect battery use, and audio playback through built-in speakers on newer watches is another factor to consider.

Check battery condition on the watch under Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If it says Battery Needs Service, or you believe the battery needs replacement, Apple directs owners to Apple Support. Apple’s guidance does not provide a universal diagnosis or service price, so the watch’s battery-health message and support assessment are more useful than guessing from one day’s runtime.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 2
XSNE Digital Watch Sports Waterproof Military Back Light Small Watch for Men Black 1426
XSNE Digital Watch Sports Waterproof Military Back Light Small Watch for Men Black 1426
BACKLIGHT UPGRADE:Easy-to-read numbers can be clearly seen during the day and night.; GIFT : It is a great gift for family and friends, especially suitable for you.
$16.99

Apple Support references

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

More lots from the Journal

  1. Lot1How to Best Sell Your Watch: Choose the Right Channel for Your GoalBlogEstimate 7–9 min
  2. Lot2Spring-Bars and NATOs: A Practical Guide to Watch Straps, Buckles and BarsBlogEstimate 6–8 min
  3. Lot3A Philosophical Guide to Building the Perfect Watch CollectionBlogEstimate 6–8 min
Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.