Many iPhone users notice the same pattern: notifications arrive normally throughout the day, but once Low Power Mode activates, alerts suddenly become inconsistent. Messages appear late, some apps stop sending banners entirely, or notifications only show after unlocking the phone.
This behavior usually isn’t a bug. It’s a side effect of how Low Power Mode reduces background activity to extend battery life.
What’s actually happening
When Low Power Mode turns on, iOS limits several background processes. Apps are no longer allowed to refresh freely, network activity is reduced, and some push notification behaviors are delayed. The system prioritizes essential services while postponing anything considered non-critical.
Notifications that rely on background app refresh or frequent server checks are the first to be affected. Messaging apps, social media, email clients, and productivity tools may pause updates until the device wakes or exits Low Power Mode.
Fixes to restore notifications
Turn off Low Power Mode temporarily
- Open Settings.
- Tap Battery.
- Toggle Low Power Mode off.
If notifications immediately return to normal, the behavior is confirmed to be power-management related rather than an app problem.
Check Background App Refresh
Low Power Mode automatically disables background refresh. After turning it off:
- Go to Settings → General → Background App Refresh.
- Make sure it is enabled for Wi-Fi & Cellular Data.
- Verify important apps are allowed individually.
Without background refresh, some apps cannot prepare notifications in advance.
Verify notification permissions
Sometimes users adjust settings while troubleshooting battery drain and forget about them later.
- Open Settings → Notifications.
- Select the affected app.
- Ensure Allow Notifications, Lock Screen, and Banners are enabled.
Disable Focus or Scheduled Modes
Low battery situations often overlap with Focus modes activating automatically.
- Go to Settings → Focus.
- Check if any Focus schedule is active.
- Confirm the app is not silenced inside the Focus filter.
Check Mail fetch settings (for email delays)
Email notifications are especially sensitive to power saving.
- Open Settings → Mail → Accounts → Fetch New Data.
- Enable Push where available.
- Avoid long fetch intervals if timely alerts matter.
Optional alternative
If battery life is the concern but notifications are important, avoid automatic Low Power Mode activation by charging earlier or using optimized charging habits instead of relying on aggressive power saving.
Once Low Power Mode restrictions are removed or adjusted, notifications typically return to normal behavior immediately.