Apple has detailed how Adaptive Power works in iOS 26, a new feature designed to extend battery life on days when usage is heavier than usual. The company confirmed in a support document that the feature is enabled by default on the iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Adaptive Power dynamically adjusts an iPhone’s power draw to preserve battery life. It can slightly lower screen brightness by about three percent, limit background activity, and automatically trigger Low Power Mode when the battery drops to 20%. Apple says the feature relies on on-device intelligence to predict when a user may need extra battery life, based on recent usage patterns.
The feature is supported on iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 17, and iPhone Air models, but only the iPhone 17 lineup has it turned on automatically. On iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16 models, Adaptive Power must be manually enabled by going to Settings > Battery > Power Mode and toggling the feature on. Conversely, iPhone 17 owners who prefer not to use it can disable it in the same menu.
Importantly, Adaptive Power does not interfere with performance-heavy tasks. Apple notes that activities such as gaming in Game Mode or capturing photos and videos will continue to run at full performance even when the feature is active. This ensures that battery optimizations do not come at the cost of core functionality.
Apple’s latest iPhones already feature longer battery life compared to previous models, but the iPhone Air remains the most limited of the group. It offers up to 27 hours of video playback, which can be extended to 40 hours when paired with Apple’s $99 MagSafe Battery accessory. Adaptive Power gives the iPhone Air and the rest of the iPhone 17 lineup an additional tool for stretching battery life when it matters most.
