Smartwatches have become an indispensable accessory in this digital era, offering users convenience through a wide range of features. With each passing year, new smartwatch models hit the market, boasting even more advanced capabilities. From syncing with your iPhone to enhancing productivity and tracking fitness goals, these wearables have truly improved modern living. 

In this article, we will focus on the Apple Watch Series 5, which made its debut in September 2019. The model boasts an always-on display, a built-in compass, and a host of new health and fitness functionalities. However, like any electronic gadget, it’s not without its quirks, with some users reporting issues such as battery draining fast. While this may be an occasional setback, you do not have to tolerate the inconvenience of a short-lived battery! We are here to save the day by providing a list of tips for maximising the battery life of your Apple Watch Series 5.

1. Optimise Display Brightness

Have you observed that the default screen brightness on devices is often set higher than necessary? This is typically done by manufacturers to showcase the device’s display capabilities in stores or during demonstrations. However, this setting may consume more power, potentially draining the device’s battery faster. To address this, there are three methods available for you to tailor your device’s brightness to your needs:

Adjusting Directly on Your Apple Watch

1. Swipe up on the watch face
2. Access the Control Center.
3. Use the brightness slider to adjust the screen brightness.

Adjusting Through the Settings App 

1. Access the Settings app.
2. Tap “Display & Brightness.”
3. Tap the brightness controls to adjust or tap the slider.
4. Turn the Digital Crown to set the desired brightness level.

Adjusting the Settings on your iPhone

1. Tap “My Watch” on your iPhone.
2. Select “Display & Brightness” and adjust the brightness accordingly.

By adjusting the screen brightness to a lower, more comfortable level, you not only save the battery of your Apple Watch but also alleviate eye strain, paving the way for a more pleasant interaction with your device.

2. Activate Power Reserve Mode

When your Apple Watch Series 5 is running low on battery, every percentage counts. At “critical” moments like this, Power Reserve Mode comes to the rescue. Power Reserve Mode, also known as Low Power Mode, is a feature designed to keep your low-battery Apple Watch operational for an extended period by shutting down all non-essential features such as: 

• Always On display
• Time in Daylight
• Double tap gesture
• Start workout reminder
• Heart rate notifications 
• Background blood oxygen measurements
• Background heart rate measurements

You can activate this mode manually when the battery is low or allow the Apple Watch to enter it automatically when the battery reaches a critically low level. 

Activating Low Power Mode on Your Apple Watch 

1. Press the side button on your Apple Watch to access Control Center.
2. Tap the battery percentage button.
3. Enable Low Power Mode.
4. Alternatively, navigate to Settings on your Apple Watch.
5. Scroll down and select Battery.
6. Toggle on Low Power Mode to conserve battery life.

Additional Tips for Optimising Battery Usage

1. When activating Low Power Mode, you can select durations of 1, 2, or 3 days according to your needs. 
2. Various visual indicators change to yellow when the Low Power Mode is active: the battery percentage button in the Control Center, the charging animation, and the time in Nightstand mode.
3. When your Apple Watch battery drops to 10%, a Low Power Mode alert will ask if you want to enable the feature.
4. Low Power Mode automatically deactivates once your battery reaches 80% charge, unless you’ve chosen to activate it for a specified number of days.

3. Opt for Energy-Efficient Watch Faces

Believe it or not, your choice of watch face can impact battery life. While vibrant and dynamic watch faces may be visually appealing, they also require more power to operate. To conserve battery, consider switching to a simpler, more energy-efficient watch face with minimal complications. To explore and customise watch faces, the Face Gallery within the Apple Watch app is your ultimate destination. Browse through all available options here to personalise them to your liking. 

Changing the Watch Face On Your Apple Watch

1. To select a different watch face, press and hold the current watch face.
2. Swipe to the one you prefer and tap it.

Swiping Between Watch Faces Directly

1. Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch. 
2. Tap Clock, and enable Swipe to Switch Watch Face.

Energy-efficient watch faces offer more than prolonging battery life, they also streamline your user experience so you can focus on what matters most.

4. Toggle Off Unnecessary Features

While your Apple Watch Series 5 is equipped with numerous life-enhancing features, it does not mean they are needed at all times. In fact, turning on all the features can drain your Apple Watch’s battery life. Each feature on the Apple Watch consumes varying amounts of power, whether it’s the display brightness, continuous heart rate monitoring, GPS tracking, or background app refresh. Therefore, take a moment to review your settings and disable any features that you rarely use or can live without. For example, toggling off raise-to-wake reduces battery drain without sacrificing functionality. 

1. Tap on the Settings app icon.
2. Scroll down or swipe up to select the “Settings” option.
3. Select features you want to toggle off.
4. Tap to turn off the feature (The switch will change to the “off” position upon disablement).
5. Repeat as needed.

5. Update to the Latest Software

Apple regularly releases software updates that include bug fixes, performance improvements, and battery optimisations. Keeping your Apple Watch Series 5 software up to date is another way to maintain its battery performance. Each software update may come with new algorithms and techniques to ensure better management of power-intensive tasks and background processes. Follow the steps below to update your device to the latest software:

1. Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
2. Navigate to General > Software Update.
3. Once you’ve selected “Software Update,” your iPhone will check for any available updates.
4. You will be prompted for installation if an update is available. 
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed.

6. Regularly Check Battery Health

Do not underestimate the importance of monitoring the health of your Apple Watch Series 5 battery. By regularly assessing the built-in Battery Health feature, you can gain insights into your battery’s capacity and performance over time, identifying any potential issues early on. Here’s how to check your Apple Watch battery health:

1. Open the Watch app on your paired iPhone.
2. Navigate to General > Usage > Battery Health.
3. Review the information provided. 

If you notice any significant declines in battery capacity, it can be a sign for you to consider scheduling an Apple watch repair in Singapore. Seeking professional assistance from reliable repair service providers like LYK Mobile provides you with greater peace of mind.

To ensure the Apple Watch Series 5 remains your trusty companion, conserving its battery power is key. Follow the tips outlined in this guide and you can enjoy the uninterrupted usage of this powerful wearable throughout the day. 

Based in Singapore, LYK Mobile provides comprehensive mobile phone repair and replacement services. With our expertise and service quality, you no longer have to deal with dwindling battery life on your beloved wearable. 

Contact us to find out more about our services.