diff --git a/components/esp_hw_support/include/esp_private/sleep_retention.h b/components/esp_hw_support/include/esp_private/sleep_retention.h
index 076373c8f4..5b4e95e338 100644
--- a/components/esp_hw_support/include/esp_private/sleep_retention.h
+++ b/components/esp_hw_support/include/esp_private/sleep_retention.h
@@ -59,6 +59,11 @@ typedef enum {
  */
 esp_err_t sleep_retention_entries_create(const sleep_retention_entries_config_t retent[], int num, regdma_link_priority_t priority, sleep_retention_module_t module);
 
+/**
+ * @brief Dump the initialization status of all modules.
+*/
+void sleep_retention_dump_modules(FILE *out);
+
 /**
  * @brief Dump all runtime sleep retention linked lists
  */
@@ -139,6 +144,23 @@ esp_err_t sleep_retention_module_allocate(sleep_retention_module_t module);
  */
 esp_err_t sleep_retention_module_free(sleep_retention_module_t module);
 
+/**
+ * @brief Force take the power lock so that during sleep the power domain won't be powered off.
+ *
+ * @return
+ *      - ESP_OK if success
+ *      - other value when the internal `sleep_retention_module_init` fails.
+*/
+esp_err_t sleep_retention_power_lock_acquire(void);
+
+/**
+ * @brief Release the power lock so that the peripherals' power domain can be powered off.
+ *        Please note that there is an internal reference counter and the power domain will be kept on until same number
+ *        of `sleep_retention_power_lock_release` is called as `sleep_retention_power_lock_acquire`.
+ * @return always ESP_OK
+*/
+esp_err_t sleep_retention_power_lock_release(void);
+
 /**
  * @brief Get all initialized modules that require sleep retention
  *
diff --git a/components/esp_hw_support/sleep_retention.c b/components/esp_hw_support/sleep_retention.c
index e437a6fe58..7e01204a6e 100644
--- a/components/esp_hw_support/sleep_retention.c
+++ b/components/esp_hw_support/sleep_retention.c
@@ -29,6 +29,8 @@
 #endif
 
 static __attribute__((unused)) const char *TAG = "sleep";
+static int acquire_cnt; //for the force acquire lock
+
 
 struct sleep_retention_module_object {
     sleep_retention_module_callbacks_t cbs;         /* A callback list that can extend more sleep retention event callbacks */
@@ -319,6 +321,23 @@ static void sleep_retention_entries_stats(void)
     _lock_release_recursive(&s_retention.lock);
 }
 
+void sleep_retention_dump_modules(FILE *out)
+{
+    uint32_t inited_modules = sleep_retention_get_inited_modules();
+    uint32_t created_modules = sleep_retention_get_created_modules();
+    for (int i = SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_MIN; i <= SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_MAX; i++) {
+        bool inited = (inited_modules & BIT(i)) != 0;
+        bool created = (created_modules & BIT(i)) != 0;
+        bool is_top = (TOP_DOMAIN_PERIPHERALS_BM & BIT(i)) != 0;
+
+        const char* status = !inited? "-":
+                        created? "CREATED":
+                                "INITED";
+        const char* domain = is_top? "TOP": "-";
+        fprintf(out, "%2d: %4s %8s\n", i, domain, status);
+    }
+}
+
 void sleep_retention_dump_entries(FILE *out)
 {
     _lock_acquire_recursive(&s_retention.lock);
@@ -820,6 +839,42 @@ esp_err_t sleep_retention_module_free(sleep_retention_module_t module)
     return err;
 }
 
+static esp_err_t empty_create(void *args)
+{
+    return ESP_OK;
+}
+
+esp_err_t sleep_retention_power_lock_acquire(void)
+{
+    _lock_acquire_recursive(&s_retention.lock);
+    if (acquire_cnt == 0) {
+        sleep_retention_module_init_param_t init_param = {
+            .cbs = { .create = {.handle = empty_create},},
+        };
+        esp_err_t ret = sleep_retention_module_init(SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_NULL, &init_param);
+        if (ret != ESP_OK) {
+            _lock_release_recursive(&s_retention.lock);
+            return ret;
+        }
+    }
+    acquire_cnt++;
+    _lock_release_recursive(&s_retention.lock);
+    return ESP_OK;
+}
+
+esp_err_t sleep_retention_power_lock_release(void)
+{
+    esp_err_t ret = ESP_OK;
+    _lock_acquire_recursive(&s_retention.lock);
+    acquire_cnt--;
+    assert(acquire_cnt >= 0);
+    if (acquire_cnt == 0) {
+        ret = sleep_retention_module_deinit(SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_NULL);
+    }
+    _lock_release_recursive(&s_retention.lock);
+    return ret;
+}
+
 void IRAM_ATTR sleep_retention_do_extra_retention(bool backup_or_restore)
 {
     if (s_retention.highpri < SLEEP_RETENTION_REGDMA_LINK_HIGHEST_PRIORITY ||
diff --git a/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/.build-test-rules.yml b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/.build-test-rules.yml
index a13010cf3a..0585429eba 100644
--- a/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/.build-test-rules.yml
+++ b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/.build-test-rules.yml
@@ -42,6 +42,11 @@ components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/rtc_power_modes:
       temporary: true
       reason: the other targets are not tested yet
 
+components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention:
+  enable:
+    - if: SOC_PAU_SUPPORTED == 1 and CONFIG_NAME != "xip_psram"
+    - if: SOC_PAU_SUPPORTED == 1 and (SOC_SPIRAM_XIP_SUPPORTED == 1 and CONFIG_NAME == "xip_psram")
+
 components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/vad_wakeup:
   disable:
     - if: SOC_LP_VAD_SUPPORTED != 1
diff --git a/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/CMakeLists.txt b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..47e7d817bd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+# This is the project CMakeLists.txt file for the test subproject
+cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.16)
+
+include($ENV{IDF_PATH}/tools/cmake/project.cmake)
+
+# "Trim" the build. Include the minimal set of components, main, and anything it depends on. We also depend on esp_psram
+# as we set CONFIG_SPIRAM_... options.
+set(COMPONENTS main esp_psram)
+
+project(test_retention)
diff --git a/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/README.md b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..77eda1867c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+| Supported Targets | ESP32-C5 | ESP32-C6 | ESP32-C61 | ESP32-H2 | ESP32-P4 |
+| ----------------- | -------- | -------- | --------- | -------- | -------- |
diff --git a/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/main/CMakeLists.txt b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/main/CMakeLists.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..d285f1b552
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/main/CMakeLists.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+set(srcs "test_app_main.c" "test_retention.c")
+
+# In order for the cases defined by `TEST_CASE` to be linked into the final elf,
+# the component can be registered as WHOLE_ARCHIVE
+idf_component_register(SRCS ${srcs}
+                       PRIV_REQUIRES unity esp_mm esp_psram
+                       WHOLE_ARCHIVE)
diff --git a/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/main/test_app_main.c b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/main/test_app_main.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..027d2b69c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/main/test_app_main.c
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+/*
+ * SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2022 Espressif Systems (Shanghai) CO LTD
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+#include "unity.h"
+#include "unity_test_runner.h"
+#include "esp_heap_caps.h"
+
+#define TEST_MEMORY_LEAK_THRESHOLD (-300)
+
+static size_t before_free_8bit;
+static size_t before_free_32bit;
+
+static void check_leak(size_t before_free, size_t after_free, const char *type)
+{
+    ssize_t delta = after_free - before_free;
+    printf("MALLOC_CAP_%s: Before %u bytes free, After %u bytes free (delta %d)\n", type, before_free, after_free, delta);
+    TEST_ASSERT_MESSAGE(delta >= TEST_MEMORY_LEAK_THRESHOLD, "memory leak");
+}
+
+void setUp(void)
+{
+    before_free_8bit = heap_caps_get_free_size(MALLOC_CAP_8BIT);
+    before_free_32bit = heap_caps_get_free_size(MALLOC_CAP_32BIT);
+}
+
+void tearDown(void)
+{
+    size_t after_free_8bit = heap_caps_get_free_size(MALLOC_CAP_8BIT);
+    size_t after_free_32bit = heap_caps_get_free_size(MALLOC_CAP_32BIT);
+    check_leak(before_free_8bit, after_free_8bit, "8BIT");
+    check_leak(before_free_32bit, after_free_32bit, "32BIT");
+}
+
+void app_main(void)
+{
+    unity_run_menu();
+}
diff --git a/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/main/test_retention.c b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/main/test_retention.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..72a4e5b3e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/main/test_retention.c
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+/*
+ * SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2021-2024 Espressif Systems (Shanghai) CO LTD
+ *
+ * SPDX-License-Identifier: Apache-2.0
+ */
+
+#include "freertos/FreeRTOS.h"
+#include "freertos/task.h"
+#include "esp_log.h"
+#include "sdkconfig.h"
+#include "unity.h"
+#include "esp_private/sleep_sys_periph.h"
+#include "esp_private/sleep_retention.h"
+#include "esp_sleep.h"
+#include "esp_private/sleep_cpu.h"
+
+const char TAG[] = "retention";
+
+TEST_CASE("retention: can go to retention", "[retention]")
+{
+    // Prepare a TOP PD sleep
+    TEST_ESP_OK(esp_sleep_enable_timer_wakeup(1 * 1000 * 1000));
+    sleep_cpu_configure(true);
+
+    TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_INT32(true, peripheral_domain_pd_allowed());
+    sleep_retention_dump_modules(stdout);
+    vTaskDelay(1000/portTICK_PERIOD_MS);
+
+    ESP_LOGI(TAG, "Going to sleep...");
+    esp_light_sleep_start();
+
+    ESP_LOGI(TAG, "After wakeup");
+    TEST_ASSERT_EQUAL_INT32(true, peripheral_domain_pd_allowed());
+    sleep_retention_dump_modules(stdout);
+
+    sleep_cpu_configure(false);
+}
diff --git a/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/pytest_retention.py b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/pytest_retention.py
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..3a4ca50f1e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/pytest_retention.py
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+# SPDX-FileCopyrightText: 2022-2023 Espressif Systems (Shanghai) CO LTD
+# SPDX-License-Identifier: CC0-1.0
+import functools
+from typing import Callable
+from typing import Dict
+from typing import List
+
+import pytest
+from pytest_embedded import Dut
+
+
+def target_list(targets: List[str]) -> Callable:
+
+    def decorator(func: Callable) -> Callable:
+
+        @functools.wraps(func)
+        def wrapper(*args: List, **kwargs: Dict) -> Callable:
+            return func(*args, **kwargs)  # type: ignore
+
+        for target in targets:
+            wrapper = pytest.mark.__getattr__(target)(wrapper)
+
+        return wrapper
+
+    return decorator
+
+
+# SOC_PAU_SUPPORTED == 1
+retention_targets = ['esp32c6', 'esp32h2', 'esp32p4', 'esp32c5', 'esp32c61']
+
+
+@target_list(retention_targets)
+@pytest.mark.generic
+def test_sleep_retention(dut: Dut) -> None:
+    dut.run_all_single_board_cases()
diff --git a/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/sdkconfig.ci.defaults b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/sdkconfig.ci.defaults
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..e69de29bb2
diff --git a/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/sdkconfig.ci.xip_psram b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/sdkconfig.ci.xip_psram
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..358f51460b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/sdkconfig.ci.xip_psram
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+CONFIG_SPIRAM=y
+CONFIG_SPIRAM_XIP_FROM_PSRAM=y
diff --git a/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/sdkconfig.defaults b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/sdkconfig.defaults
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6cefbfaaf5
--- /dev/null
+++ b/components/esp_hw_support/test_apps/sleep_retention/sdkconfig.defaults
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+CONFIG_FREERTOS_HZ=1000
+CONFIG_ESP_TASK_WDT=n
+
+CONFIG_PM_ENABLE=y
+CONFIG_PM_POWER_DOWN_CPU_IN_LIGHT_SLEEP=y
+CONFIG_PM_POWER_DOWN_PERIPHERAL_IN_LIGHT_SLEEP=y
diff --git a/components/soc/esp32c5/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h b/components/soc/esp32c5/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h
index f65bfde521..6d7b045e0b 100644
--- a/components/soc/esp32c5/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h
+++ b/components/soc/esp32c5/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
 typedef enum periph_retention_module {
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_MIN          = 0,
+    SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_NULL         = SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_MIN, /* This module is for all peripherals that can't survive from PD_TOP to call init only. Shouldn't have any dependency. */
     /* clock module, which includes system and modem */
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_SYSTEM = 1,
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_MODEM  = 2,
@@ -54,6 +55,8 @@ typedef enum periph_retention_module {
 } periph_retention_module_t;
 
 typedef enum periph_retention_module_bitmap {
+    SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_NULL = BIT(SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_NULL),
+
     /* clock module, which includes system and modem */
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_CLOCK_SYSTEM = BIT(SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_SYSTEM),
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_CLOCK_MODEM  = BIT(SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_MODEM),
@@ -112,6 +115,7 @@ typedef enum periph_retention_module_bitmap {
                                   | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_PARLIO0     \
                                   | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_GPSPI2      \
                                   | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_LEDC        \
+                                  | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_NULL       \
                                   )
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
diff --git a/components/soc/esp32c6/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h b/components/soc/esp32c6/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h
index 2b1854eced..f0f629f8f5 100644
--- a/components/soc/esp32c6/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h
+++ b/components/soc/esp32c6/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
 typedef enum periph_retention_module {
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_MIN          = 0,
+    SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_NULL         = SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_MIN, /* This module is for all peripherals that can't survive from PD_TOP to call init only. Shouldn't have any dependency. */
     /* clock module, which includes system and modem */
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_SYSTEM = 1,
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_MODEM  = 2,
@@ -55,6 +56,8 @@ typedef enum periph_retention_module {
 } periph_retention_module_t;
 
 typedef enum periph_retention_module_bitmap {
+    SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_NULL = BIT(SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_NULL),
+
     /* clock module, which includes system and modem */
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_CLOCK_SYSTEM = BIT(SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_SYSTEM),
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_CLOCK_MODEM  = BIT(SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_MODEM),
@@ -114,6 +117,7 @@ typedef enum periph_retention_module_bitmap {
                                   | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_PARLIO0     \
                                   | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_GPSPI2      \
                                   | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_LEDC        \
+                                  | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_NULL       \
                                   )
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
diff --git a/components/soc/esp32c61/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h b/components/soc/esp32c61/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h
index f0a8f61f6a..4c6a134f22 100644
--- a/components/soc/esp32c61/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h
+++ b/components/soc/esp32c61/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
 typedef enum periph_retention_module {
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_MIN          = 0,
+    SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_NULL         = SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_MIN, /* This module is for all peripherals that can't survive from PD_TOP to call init only. Shouldn't have any dependency. */
     /* clock module, which includes system and modem */
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_SYSTEM = 1,
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_MODEM  = 2,
@@ -47,6 +48,8 @@ typedef enum periph_retention_module {
 } periph_retention_module_t;
 
 typedef enum periph_retention_module_bitmap {
+    SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_NULL = BIT(SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_NULL),
+
     /* clock module, which includes system and modem */
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_CLOCK_SYSTEM = BIT(SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_SYSTEM),
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_CLOCK_MODEM  = BIT(SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_MODEM),
@@ -90,6 +93,7 @@ typedef enum periph_retention_module_bitmap {
                                   | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_ETM0        \
                                   | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_GPSPI2      \
                                   | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_LEDC        \
+                                  | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_NULL       \
                                   )
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
diff --git a/components/soc/esp32h2/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h b/components/soc/esp32h2/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h
index 766db48639..0b41e23c8d 100644
--- a/components/soc/esp32h2/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h
+++ b/components/soc/esp32h2/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
 typedef enum periph_retention_module {
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_MIN          = 0,
+    SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_NULL         = SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_MIN, /* This module is for all peripherals that can't survive from PD_TOP to call init only. Shouldn't have any dependency. */
     /* clock module, which includes system and modem */
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_SYSTEM = 1,
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_MODEM  = 2,
@@ -53,6 +54,8 @@ typedef enum periph_retention_module {
 } periph_retention_module_t;
 
 typedef enum periph_retention_module_bitmap {
+    SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_NULL = BIT(SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_NULL),
+
     /* clock module, which includes system and modem */
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_CLOCK_SYSTEM = BIT(SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_SYSTEM),
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_CLOCK_MODEM  = BIT(SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_MODEM),
@@ -110,6 +113,7 @@ typedef enum periph_retention_module_bitmap {
                                   | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_PARLIO0     \
                                   | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_GPSPI2      \
                                   | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_LEDC        \
+                                  | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_NULL       \
                                   )
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
diff --git a/components/soc/esp32p4/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h b/components/soc/esp32p4/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h
index 39dd77b19e..1f3c144aaf 100644
--- a/components/soc/esp32p4/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h
+++ b/components/soc/esp32p4/include/soc/retention_periph_defs.h
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
 typedef enum periph_retention_module {
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_MIN          = 0,
+    SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_NULL         = SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_MIN, /* This module is for all peripherals that can't survive from PD_TOP to call init only. Shouldn't have any dependency. */
     /* clock module, which includes system and modem */
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_SYSTEM = 1,
     /* digital peripheral module, which includes Interrupt Matrix, HP_SYSTEM,
@@ -58,6 +59,8 @@ typedef enum periph_retention_module {
 } periph_retention_module_t;
 
 typedef enum periph_retention_module_bitmap {
+    SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_NULL = BIT(SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_NULL),
+
     /* clock module, which includes system and modem */
     SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_CLOCK_SYSTEM = BIT(SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_CLOCK_SYSTEM),
     /* digital peripheral module, which includes Interrupt Matrix, HP_SYSTEM,
@@ -130,6 +133,7 @@ typedef enum periph_retention_module_bitmap {
                                   | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_GPSPI2     \
                                   | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_GPSPI3     \
                                   | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_LEDC       \
+                                  | SLEEP_RETENTION_MODULE_BM_NULL       \
                                   )
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus