For the millions of people who rely on their iPhone daily, battery longevity is more than just a convenience, it’s essential to productivity, longevity, and return on investment for a device that is increasingly essential. With users concerned about batteries wearing out faster, Apple technicians and repair professionals have a playbook of proven practices that can prolong your iPhone’s battery life.
Below is a thorough examination of what an Apple-certified expert recommends, and why these tips matter to the everyday user and the power user.
Understand your battery’s health meter
Apple debuted the Battery Health feature as part of iOS 11.3, and it is now a standard component of Settings. According to Gophermods, the Battery Health dashboard includes three primary metrics: Maximum Capacity (efficiency versus when brand new), Peak Performance Capability, and a toggle to turn on Optimized Battery Charging.
- Maximum Capacity: Measures battery wear over time; 100% is brand new, and Apple recommends battery replacement at 80% or below.
- Peak Performance Capability: This confirms that your battery can perform high-energy tasks without the power shutting off unexpectedly.
- Optimized Battery Charging: This limit how your phone charges while you sleep overnight to reduce the impact on battery cell chemistry and continually top it off until it is needed.
You can know your battery health by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If you see the “Service” message, then Apple recommends replacing the battery. If your battery health drops below 80%, then you should also replace the battery.
Stay Up-to-Date
According to Apple repair professionals at iStore STM, keeping your iOS updated can also help with battery performance. Each iOS update improves energy management, security, and bug fixes that drain battery power from background processes and app conflicts. Frequent updates also enable you to fully utilize new battery features like charging limits and optimally charge your phone with more intelligent battery power management.
Optimize daily settings
Apple technicians provide a number of useful day-to-day suggestions.
- Lower your screen brightness: Less brightness requires less strain on the battery.
- Use Wi-Fi connection whenever possible: Cellular data uses more battery.
- Limit Background App Refresh and location services: Background App Refresh and location services can drain the battery even if the phone is inactive; this is especially true if both settings are allowed for multiple apps.
- Set up Low Power Mode: We also emphasize Apple’s own suggestion to use its Low Power Mode (Settings > Battery) when your battery is low. Low Power Mode will turn off mail fetching, disable “Hey Siri,” etc. Additionally, it may change some of your iPhone’s system settings to conserve battery.
Always monitor battery usage
Apple’s a Battery settings page also shows which apps are using the most battery energy. According to iStore STM, routinely checking this can help you identify apps that are unnecessarily using more battery energy, and you can limit their effect or remove them.
Of course, some apps such as video streaming, games, and GPS navigation will have more battery drain than others, but if you notice battery drain spike after an app installation or relatively recent app update, you will want to troubleshoot or consider uninstalling it entirely.
Pay attention to temperature: protect your iPhone from heat
Apple’s support publications and popular YouTube technologists all agree that heat is the worst thing to happen to a battery. Do not leave your device in direct sunlight or in a hot car.
Don’t use your iPhone while charging, especially to play games or other demanding tasks, as this will add heat and wear on the device. If you are able, try to remove your device case when charging to allow the heat to escape and relieve the battery cells to some extent.
Use quality chargers, Not cheap clones
Apple experts agree you should use original or certified chargers when charging. If the quality of the charger is not specified by the manufacturer, you should steer clear of these chargers as they often risk overheating, inconsistent charging drops, and possible internal damage to battery circuits. Charge your device overnight? If you have to, make sure to set to “Optimized Battery Charging,” as the battery sitting at 100% for long durations is another issue behind long-term battery degradation.
Charge smarter: The 20%-80% Rule
Battery experts highlight the importance of and maintain charge levels that range between 20% and 80%, particularly for lithium-ion batteries that is present in iPhones. Regularly discharging your phone to 0% can wear down the battery, as does prolonged exposure to 100% directly (without trickle charging). Multiple small charge cycles are preferable to one full charge cycle every day.
Regular health checks and when to replace
According to Apple, charging is considered healthy over 80% maximum capacity. If your battery is suggested to change over 80%, you will most likely notice a shortened life, slowness as compared to other phones, and randomly shutting down. The recommendation is to replace at 80% and after activation of Service: Battery Health. In most instances, this means switching the battery every 2-3 years depending on usage regularly.
Utilize these tips, which were approved by apple technicians, to extend the health of your battery and make an overall better experience with your iPhone.
