If you’ve ever looked at the top-right corner of your iPhone screen and suddenly noticed the battery icon turning yellow, you’re not alone. Many iPhone users get confused or worried when this happens, thinking it might indicate a problem with the battery or the phone’s health. Fortunately, the yellow battery icon is not an error—it’s actually a built-in iOS feature working exactly as intended.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn why your iPhone battery turns yellow, what it means, and how you can change it back to green or white.
What Does a Yellow Battery Icon on iPhone Mean?
When your iPhone battery icon turns yellow, it indicates that your device is in Low Power Mode.
Low Power Mode is an iOS feature designed to extend battery life by reducing background activity and optimizing system performance. Once enabled, the battery indicator changes to yellow as a visual reminder that the mode is active.
Why Low Power Mode Turns Your Battery Yellow
Apple uses color coding to help users quickly understand their battery status:
Green = Charging or full
White/Black (depending on theme) = Normal mode
Yellow = Low Power Mode
Red = Low battery (20% or below)
The yellow color is simply Apple’s way of telling you that your iPhone has reduced power consumption features turned on.
How Does Low Power Mode Get Turned On?
Your iPhone may enter Low Power Mode in two ways:
1. Automatically at 20% Battery
You receive a notification asking if you want to enable Low Power Mode. If you select Enable, the icon turns yellow.
2. Manually by the User
You can turn it on yourself from:
Settings
Control Center
Siri
Sometimes users enable it accidentally while swiping through Control Center.
What Low Power Mode Actually Does
When activated, Low Power Mode makes several changes to conserve energy:
✔ Reduces background app refresh
✔ Lowers CPU and GPU performance slightly
✔ Disables automatic mail fetch
✔ Reduces screen brightness
✔ Disables 5G (on some models)
✔ Turns off visual effects
✔ Pauses iCloud Photos sync
✔ Slows down background tasks
These changes can significantly extend your battery life, especially when you’re running low.
How to Turn Off Low Power Mode (Turn Battery Icon Back to Normal)
Here are the easiest ways to disable it:
Method 1: Through Settings
Open the Settings app.
Scroll down and tap Battery.
Toggle Low Power Mode off.
Method 2: Using Control Center
Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.
Look for the Low Power Mode icon (a battery symbol).
Tap it to switch it off.
Method 3: Ask Siri
Say: “Turn off Low Power Mode.”
Once disabled, the battery icon will return to white/black (normal mode).
Can You Keep Low Power Mode On All the Time?
Yes, many users keep it on daily for better battery life. However:
Some background features won’t work
Performance might occasionally feel slower
Notifications may delay
Apps might not refresh automatically
It’s safe, but not always ideal if you need full performance.
What If My Battery Icon Is Still Yellow After Turning Off Low Power Mode?
If the icon remains yellow even after disabling Low Power Mode:
✔ Restart your iPhone
Sometimes the system needs a refresh.
✔ Check Focus Modes
Some custom Focus modes may apply battery-related settings.
✔ Check for third-party battery apps
These might interfere with system indicators.
If none of these help, update iOS or reset settings.
Is the Yellow Battery Icon a Sign of Battery Health Issues?
No—it has nothing to do with battery health.
To check actual battery health:
Go to Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging
The yellow color is purely a Low Power Mode indicator.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does yellow battery mean my phone is overheating?
No. Overheating does not change the battery icon color.
2. Why does my battery turn yellow at night?
You may have Automation or Focus Modes configured to enable Low Power Mode at certain times.
3. Will yellow battery charge slower?
No—charging speed remains normal. But Low Power Mode may disable some background tasks during charging.
Final Thoughts
Your iPhone’s yellow battery icon is simply the result of Low Power Mode being enabled. It’s not a glitch, not a warning, and not a battery health issue—just a helpful feature designed to conserve energy. You can easily turn it off through Settings, Control Center, or Siri.
