Low Power Mode is a battery-conserving function available on MacBooks designed to extend battery life by reducing energy consumption.
Activating Low Power Mode entails dimming the screen brightness, restricting background processes, and lowering CPU processing speed.
To enable Low Power Mode on your Mac, navigate to the Apple Menu, select System Preferences, then go to Battery, and finally choose Low Power Mode.
If you’ve used an iPhone before, you’re likely familiar with Low Power Mode, a feature that helps conserve battery life. Similarly, MacBooks also offer a built-in Low Power Mode to extend battery usage when power is running low. Thanks to the efficient M-series processors, the latest MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models already boast improved battery performance. However, there are instances when your Mac might be running low on power and you can’t immediately connect it to a charger. In such situations, knowing how to activate Low Power Mode on your Mac can help prolong battery life, allowing you to complete important tasks before your Mac powers down.
How Does Low Power Mode Work on Mac
Low Power Mode on MacBooks is a battery-saving function that adjusts system settings to conserve energy and extend battery life. When activated, Low Power Mode on typically involves the following adjustments:
- Reducing the brightness of the display.
- Decreasing the CPU clock frequency.
Additionally, activating Low Power Mode can result in the MacBook running cooler and quieter. However, it may also disable certain background processes and impact transfer speeds, such as slower AirDrop transfers.
Similar to how Low Power mode functions on iPhones and iPads by limiting or disabling specific features to save battery life, Mac’s Low Power Mode is the macOS-optimized version of this feature.
Mac Low Power Mode Requirements
- Low Power Mode is accessible on MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models introduced in 2016 or later.
- However, it’s not compatible with desktop-based Macs such as iMac and Mac mini.
- To utilize Low Power Mode, your MacBook must be operating on macOS 12.0 Monterey or later software versions.
How to Enable Low Power Mode on a Mac
Now that you understand what Low Power Mode entails and its impact on your Mac’s battery usage, let’s proceed with enabling it. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to activate Low Power Mode on your Mac:
Tip:
To quickly access the Battery section on your Mac, click on the Battery icon in the Menu bar and select Battery Settings.
- From the top-left corner of your Mac’s display, click on the Apple Menu icon, and then choose System Preferences. Alternatively, you can open the System Preferences app from the Dock.
- In the System Preferences window, navigate to the Battery section located in the left sidebar. This will bring up the Battery settings for your Mac.
- Next, click on the drop-down menu labeled “Low Power Mode.“
- You’ll be presented with four options: Never, Always, Only on Battery, and Only on Power Adapter. By default, the “Never” option is selected.
- Choose the option that best suits your preferences:
- “Always”: Your Mac will consistently remain in Low Power Mode.
- “Only on Battery”: Low Power Mode will activate when your Mac is running on battery power, conserving energy to extend battery life.
- “Only on Power Adapter”: Low Power Mode will be enabled when your Mac is connected to a power source, managing performance to reduce energy consumption.
By selecting one of these options, your Mac will adjust its energy usage accordingly to save battery life or manage power efficiently.
To confirm that your Mac is operating in Low Power Mode, simply click on the Battery icon located at the top-right corner of the screen. If Low Power Mode is active, you will see the status displayed as “Low Power Mode: On”.
When to Use Low Power Mode?
Low Power Mode is intended to conserve battery life on your MacBook. Therefore, it’s beneficial to use when your Mac’s battery is low, and you need to extend its usage without immediate access to a charger. However, there are no strict guidelines for its usage, and you can activate it based on your preferences.
It’s important to understand that Low Power Mode involves a trade-off between battery consumption and performance. It restricts background activities and notably dims the screen brightness to prolong battery life. Additionally, it reduces CPU speed, which may result in slower performance. However, for everyday tasks such as browsing websites, using social media, and performing office work, you are unlikely to notice any significant impact on performance.
FAQs
On an iPhone or iPad, Low Power Mode is indicated by the battery icon turning yellow. However, the battery icon on a Mac does not reflect the status of Low Power Mode. To determine if your Mac is operating in Low Power Mode, click on the battery icon located at the top-right corner of the screen. If you see the message “Low Power Mode: On,” it means your Mac is currently running in the energy-saving mode.
Low Power Mode is a beneficial feature that enhances the battery life of your MacBook by minimizing background activity, reducing screen brightness, and adjusting the CPU’s processing speed. Consequently, your Mac consumes less power to operate. It’s advisable to activate Low Power Mode on your Mac when you anticipate using it for an extended duration without access to a charger.
Source: Apple
