On macOS Ventura or later, open Apple menu > System Settings > Battery and choose Low Power under Energy Mode for On battery. On macOS Monterey or earlier, go to Apple menu > System Preferences > Battery and select Low Power from Energy Mode. The setting reduces energy use, but Apple does not promise a specific number of extra hours.
Turn on Low Power Mode
macOS Ventura or later
- Open the Apple menu and choose System Settings.
- Select Battery in the sidebar. Scroll down if needed.
- Under Energy Mode, choose Low Power for On battery.
- If you want Low Power Mode while connected to power, choose it separately under On power adapter, if that option is available.
To check the active mode, open the Battery or lightning-bolt menu-bar icon and view the battery status menu. The available choices can vary by Mac. Apple’s Power Modes guide covers the options and macOS versions.
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macOS Monterey or earlier
Open Apple menu > System Preferences > Battery, then select Low Power from the Energy Mode menu. Older releases use System Preferences rather than System Settings.
What Low Power Mode changes—and what it does not promise
Apple describes the feature this way: “Low Power Mode reduces energy use to increase battery life.” It is intended to help the Mac use less power; Apple does not give a universal runtime increase for MacBook models, apps, or workloads. The benefit therefore depends on how you use your Mac, and there is no reliable fixed percentage or number of extra hours to expect.
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On certain Macs with active cooling running macOS Sequoia 15.1 or later, Apple also documents reduced fan noise in Low Power Mode. Check Apple’s supported-device details before assuming that applies to your model. Apple’s Power Modes guide
Choose a mode for battery and power-adapter use
On supported Macs, the Energy Mode controls for On battery and On power adapter are separate. Set Low Power for battery use if you want reduced energy use when unplugged; set the adapter option independently if you also want it while plugged in. If you prefer the Mac to balance performance automatically, choose Automatic where offered. Not every Mac shows the same choices.
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Other ways to reduce energy use
Low Power Mode is one part of managing power. Apple also recommends these practical steps:
- Reduce display brightness when you can.
- Quit apps you are not using.
- Disconnect peripherals that are not needed.
Depending on your Mac and macOS version, Battery settings may also let you slightly dim the display on battery and review recent battery and energy use. See Apple’s Mac laptop Battery settings guide and Apple’s energy-saving guide.
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If the Low Power controls are missing—or battery life is still short
First check your macOS version and Mac model: the setting names and available modes vary. If runtime remains unusually short, look at Battery Health and Maximum Capacity in Battery settings. These describe the battery’s condition and capacity, not whether Low Power Mode is on. If macOS says service is recommended, follow Apple’s service guidance. Apple’s Battery settings documentation
Low Power Mode reduces energy use during operation; it does not restore capacity lost through battery aging. Battery-health management addresses long-term chemical aging and charging behavior. On Apple-silicon Macs, the system monitors temperature history and charging patterns to help reduce chemical aging. Apple’s battery-health management explanation
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