Effective Tips to Extend Your iPhone Battery Life

A brand-new iPhone typically lasts all day on a single charge, but battery performance naturally declines as the device ages. Newer software updates like iOS 18 and resource-intensive apps, including Apple Intelligence AI, can accelerate battery drain. Activities such as shooting photos and videos, gaming, and streaming content also consume significant power.

Before considering an upgrade to the latest iPhone 16 or the budget-friendly iPhone 16E, there are effective battery-saving strategies to try. Some causes of battery drain are easy to control by disabling default features, while others require adjusting daily habits and app usage. Keeping a portable power bank handy is also a smart precaution.

1. Identify Battery-Draining Apps

Some apps consume more battery than others, especially those that use location tracking, stream video, or render complex graphics like fast-paced games. If your phone heats up during use, that app is likely a heavy battery drainer. To pinpoint these apps, navigate to Settings > Battery and review the battery usage by app. The Insights and Suggestions section offers tailored advice on which apps and settings to adjust.

2. Remove or Limit High-Drain Apps

Apps like Instagram and TikTok often consume disproportionate battery power. Removing these apps can significantly extend battery life. Alternatively, limit their usage by placing them in a folder or setting time limits via Settings > Screen Time > App Limits. This helps curb usage without deleting the app entirely.

3. Reduce Screen Brightness and Auto-Lock Time

Lowering screen brightness is a straightforward way to save battery. Access the Control Panel by swiping down from the top-right corner and drag the brightness slider down. You can also adjust brightness in Settings > Display & Brightness or ask Siri to reduce it. Additionally, shorten the Auto-Lock time to ensure your phone locks quickly when not in use, preventing unnecessary battery drain.

4. Enable Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode is a built-in feature that extends battery life by reducing background activity, dimming the screen, and disabling features like Always On Display. It activates automatically below 20% battery but can be turned on anytime via the Control Panel or Settings > Battery.

5. Switch to 4G LTE When 5G Signal Is Weak

A weak 5G signal causes your iPhone to expend extra energy trying to maintain connection. In such cases, manually switching to 4G LTE can conserve battery. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data and select LTE. Additionally, enabling Low Data Mode reduces background data usage, further saving power.

6. Manage Location Services

Location tracking uses GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi, which can significantly drain battery. Disable Location Services entirely or selectively for apps via Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services. Keep in mind that disabling this feature affects Find My and device tracking capabilities.

7. Turn Off Always On Display

Available on iPhone 14 Pro models and newer, Always On Display keeps a dimmed lock screen visible, which consumes battery continuously. Disabling it via Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On Display can help conserve power. For a minimal display, you can also disable wallpaper and notifications within this setting.

8. Replace Your Battery When Needed

Over time, batteries lose capacity and efficiency. Check your battery health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Apple recommends replacing the battery when capacity falls below 80%. Battery replacement can restore your iPhone’s performance and prevent potential damage from battery swelling. Apple offers official replacement services, and third-party options exist, though DIY replacements may void warranties.