The battery in a reader’s 2-year-old iPhone is draining at record speed. What can be done to help?
Why Is This Happening?
1. Battery Wear and Tear:
Your iPhone’s battery is made to handle a certain number of charge cycles (usually about 500). After two years, it’s normal for the battery’s maximum capacity to shrink.
2. iOS Updates:
Sometimes new software updates are optimized for the latest iPhones, which can make older models work harder—and drain more power.
3. Background Activity:
Apps running in the background, like social media or location services, might be hogging more battery than you realize.
What Can You Do?
1. Check Your Battery Health
- Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.
- Look at the Maximum Capacity. If it’s below 80%, your battery has aged and may need replacing.
2. Update Your iPhone (or Not)
- Check if there’s a new software update under Settings > General > Software Update.
- If your iPhone already struggles, consider waiting for reviews to see if the update helps or hurts battery life.
3. Adjust Battery Settings
- Turn on Low Power Mode: Go to Settings > Battery or ask Siri to turn it on.
- Reduce screen brightness or enable Auto-Brightness under Settings > Display & Brightness.
4. Manage Background App Activity
- Disable background refresh: Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
- Turn off location services for apps you don’t need: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
5. Optimize Charging Habits
- Avoid letting your battery drain to 0%. Charge when it drops to around 20%.
- Use a good-quality charger and cable to prevent wear.
6. Check for Battery-Hogging Apps
- In Settings > Battery, see which apps are using the most power.
- If an app you don’t use often is draining power, consider deleting it.
When to Consider Replacing the Battery
If your battery’s maximum capacity is below 80%, a replacement might be your best bet. Apple offers battery replacement services, or you can check with a trusted repair shop. It’s cheaper than buying a new phone and will make your iPhone feel almost brand new!