What Is Power Reserve Mode in iOS 14 and How to Use It?

With iOS 12, Apple debuted the Power Reserve feature. Due to the fact that only a few people found it useful, the function slipped under the radar. The Power Reserve function is finally receiving some attention with iOS 14, which is long overdue. Everything you need to know about Power Reserve and why it’s vital will be covered in this post.

What is Power Reserve Mode?

With the help of a unique feature in iOS called Power Reserve Mode, you can still use several iPhone features even when your battery is dead. It implies that even while your iPhone is off, you can still utilise it for some crucial tasks. After your iPhone shuts off, the Power Reserve Mode keeps running for up to five hours.

What s the Use of Power Reserve Mode

Apple wants your iPhone to take the place of everything in your pockets. Most people keep their wallet, phone, car keys, and identification cards in their pockets. Apple envisions a time where all you need to carry around is your iPhone. It all began with the introduction of Apple Pay. Users are no longer required to carry their wallet around, at least not in nations like the US where Apple Pay is widely accepted.

You can now save your ID cards and transit passes on your iPhone thanks to a firm partnership with universities and public transportation agencies. Next, smart locks were integrated with HomeKit security. And now that iOS 14 has been released and includes the new Car Key functionality, Apple is finally taking on the final item in your pocket—car keys.

However, using your iPhone to replace items like car keys and transit cards is more difficult than it may seem. What happens, for instance, if your iPhone runs out of power and shuts down? How do you get into your car? You cannot simply leave it in the middle of the road.

With iOS 12, Apple introduced Power Reserve mode, which allows you to access these fundamental features even while your iPhone is off, to specifically address this issue. You can still use your student ID, transport pass, and car unlock for up to 5 hours after your iPhone runs out of juice.

How Power Reserve Mode Works

It makes use of NFC tags along with the Express Card feature.

Why Power Reserve Mode is Seeing a Resurgence in iOS 14

With the help of the Express Card feature, you can use your cards in Apple Wallet without first authenticating with Face ID or Touch ID. In power reserve mode, merely touching your iPhone to a payment NFC tag will authorise the transaction because you don’t need authentication. Similar to that, you may unlock your automobile by touching your iPhone to it.

Although it has been there since iOS 12, the battery reserve mode is getting special attention in iOS 14. It’s because, prior to iOS 14, power reserve was only used for university ID cards and transit passes. Even in those circumstances, Apple only collaborated with a small number of global partners. Therefore, hardly everyone was utilising this feature because it was so common.

Frequently Asked Questions About Power Reserve Mode

Q. Which iPhones support the Power Reserve mode?

With the inclusion of Car Key in iOS 14, a larger portion of the global population may now use this feature. Additionally, getting locked out of your car is a far scary scenario. Apple has therefore widely highlighted this incredible iPhone potential in order to soothe its users’ concerns.

Q. How do I exit Power Reserve?

The power reserve option is supported by iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone XR, and newer iPhone models, claims Apple support. Therefore, this function is supported by every iPhone model introduced after the iPhone X, including the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max. Despite this, we are unsure if the iPhone SE 2 includes this capability.

Q. How long my device lasts in Power Reserve?

The power reserve feature can be manually activated or deactivated. When your iPhone’s battery runs out, it automatically activates, and it turns off when you put your phone on charge.

Q. How can I authenticate with my biometrics in Power Reserve?

Apple claims that when its battery runs out, your iPhone can continue to function for up to 5 hours.

Power Reserve Will Get You Home Even When Your iPhone Dies

You must add a card as an Express Card in order to use it in power reserve mode. Once you’ve done so, you can use it without a Face ID or Touch ID authentication.

I hope that this post was able to allay any concerns you had regarding iOS 14’s power reserve mode. This practical feature will let you leave your car keys at home without worrying, in my opinion. If you like reading this, you might also be interested in articles on additional iOS 14 hidden features: