Why is the iPhone battery icon yellow?

In addition to white, red, or green, the battery icon on the iPhone also has a yellow color, symbolizing the Low Power Mode which can slow down the device.

Many long-time iPhone users still find it unfamiliar when they see the battery icon on their phone turn yellow. This is an indication that the device is in Low Power Mode. Other familiar color indicators on the battery icon for users include white, which represents the normal state, red indicating low battery (below 20%), and green indicating that the device is charging.

According to Apple, the Low Power Mode can provide an additional three hours of usage for the iPhone, depending on the specific model.

When the battery icon turns yellow, the iPhone experiences a noticeable decrease in performance and some features. For example, with iPhone 12 models, the device automatically disables 5G connectivity, while iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 models reduce the screen refresh rate, resulting in slower responsiveness to touch gestures. Most models also disable background app refresh, automatic downloads, and email fetching. The process of copying photos to iCloud is paused, and the screen brightness is reduced. Finally, the processor’s clock speed is lowered to consume less power.

By default, Low Power Mode is always turned off. In some cases, when the iPhone battery reaches 20% or lower, a prompt window will appear suggesting enabling Low Power Mode. Many users may tap without fully understanding the actual functionality, only to find their phone suddenly running slower.

To enable or disable Low Power Mode, users can access Settings, select Battery, and interact with the Low Power Mode option. By default, when the device is charged to 80% or above, this feature will be automatically turned off.

Battery saving mode on iPhone is not turned on automatically, but users can create their own commands through the Shortcuts application. In the software, select the Automation tab > Create personal automation > Battery level > Lower and adjust the slider to the desired level, select Next > Add task > Set low power mode > Next > uncheck Ask before running > Done.

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