Keeping your iPhone powered all day doesn’t require tech superpowers. To extend iPhone battery life, you need smart habits that protect your battery from daily stress and unnecessary drain. This guide gives you 21 straightforward tips for how to extend iPhone battery life.
Why iPhone Battery Health Matters
Think of your iPhone battery like sneaker treads. Every charge cycle wears it down slightly. Heat, constant full charges, and background app activity speed up this wear. Good habits slow degradation, so your battery holds more power for longer. Healthy batteries last 500–1,000 cycles before dropping below 80% capacity (check in Settings > Battery > Battery Health).
How to Extend iPhone Battery Life: 21 Tips
1. Set a Charging Limit (80-90% Rule)
What It Does: Keeps your battery from getting too "stressed" by staying full all the time.
How to Do It:
- Go to Settings > Battery > Charging.
- Under Charge Limit, pick 80% or 90% for daily use.
- Switch to 100% only for trips or busy days.
Why It Helps: Charging to 100% every day is like eating until you’re stuffed—it strains the battery. Sticking to 80-90% keeps it relaxed.
2. Keep Your iPhone Cool
What It Does: Prevents overheating, which can fry your battery.
How to Do It:
- Avoid leaving your phone in hot cars or direct sunlight.
- Take off thick cases while charging (they trap heat).
- Use a charging cable instead of MagSafe if your phone feels hot.
Why It Helps: Heat is a battery’s worst enemy. Cooler temps = happier battery.
3. Use 5G Auto Mode
What It Does: Stops your iPhone from wasting battery searching for weak 5G signals.
How to Do It:
- Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options.
- Tap Voice & Data and choose 5G Auto.
Why It Helps: 5G drains battery fast if the signal is spotty. This setting saves power when 5G isn’t reliable.
4. Connect to Wi-Fi Whenever Possible
What It Does: Uses less battery than cellular data.
How to Do It:
- Turn on Wi-Fi at home, school, or cafes.
- Go to Settings > Wi-Fi and join trusted networks.
Why It Helps: Wi-Fi is like a battery sipper; cellular data is a battery guzzler.
5. Stop Apps from Running in the Background
What It Does: Blocks apps like TikTok or Instagram from secretly draining battery.
How to Do It:
- Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
- Turn off apps you don’t need updating 24/7.
Why It Helps: Background apps are like leaving toys running—they waste energy even when you’re not using them.
6. Delete Useless Home Screen Widgets
What It Does: Reduces battery used by widgets updating in the background.
How to Do It:
- Press and hold a widget, then tap Remove Widget.
- Keep only the ones you check daily (weather, calendar).
Why It Helps: Widgets are mini apps that work overtime. Fewer widgets = less work for your battery.
7. Limit GPS for Non-Essential Apps
What It Does: Stops apps like games or shopping sites from tracking your location nonstop.
How to Do It:
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- For each app, pick While Using or Never.
Why It Helps: GPS is a battery hog. Only let apps use it when you’re actively using them.
8. Use Low Power Mode Sparingly
What It Does: Slows down your phone to save battery but limits performance.
How to Do It:
- Turn it on only when your battery is below 20%.
- Go to Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode.
Why It Helps: Low Power Mode is like "battery CPR"—great in emergencies, but you wouldn’t use it every day.
9. Turn On Auto-Brightness
What It Does: Adjusts screen brightness to match your surroundings.
How to Do It:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
- Turn on Auto-Brightness.
Why It Helps: A super-bright screen drains battery fast. Auto-Brightness keeps it just right.
10. Try Dark Mode
What It Does: Saves battery on iPhones with OLED screens (iPhone 12 and newer).
How to Do It:
- Go to Settings > Display & Brightness.
- Choose Dark.
Why It Helps: Dark pixels on OLED screens use less power. It’s like turning off lights you don’t need.
11. Use iOS 18’s 5% Charge Increments
What It Does: Lets you set custom charging limits (like 85% or 95%).
How to Do It:
- Go to Settings > Battery > Charging.
- Slide to choose your preferred limit.
Why It Helps: Gives you more control over battery stress.
12. Let Your iPhone Learn Your Routine
What It Does: Optimizes charging based on your habits (e.g., charges slowly overnight).
How to Do It:
- Enable Location Services and Significant Locations in Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > System Services.
- Wait 14 days for your iPhone to learn your schedule.
Why It Helps: Your iPhone becomes a battery-saving detective, charging smarter, not harder.
13. Occasionally Charge to 100%
What It Does: Helps your iPhone estimate battery life accurately.
How to Do It:
- Once a month, charge to 100% (even if you normally limit it to 80%).
Why It Helps: Think of it as a "battery checkup" to keep readings honest.
14. Use Apple-Certified Chargers
What It Does: Prevents overheating or damage from cheap chargers.
How to Do It:
- Buy chargers with "Made for iPhone" labels.
- Avoid no-name brands from sketchy websites.
Why It Helps: Safe chargers = safe battery.
15. Check Battery Health Regularly
What It Does: Shows if your battery is aging.
How to Do It:
- Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health.
- Look for Maximum Capacity (100% is perfect).
Why It Helps: Catch problems early, like a report card for your battery.
16. Prefer Wired Charging Over Wireless
What It Does: Reduces heat buildup compared to MagSafe.
How to Do It:
- Plug in with a cable instead of using wireless pads for daily charging.
Why It Helps: Wireless charging generates more heat, which stresses the battery.
17. Remove Your Case While Charging
What It Does: Lets heat escape instead of trapping it.
How to Do It:
- Pop off bulky cases before charging overnight.
Why It Helps: Less heat = longer battery life.
18. Store Old iPhones at 50% Charge
What It Does: Keeps unused batteries healthy.
How to Do It:
- Charge an old iPhone to 50%, then turn it off.
Why It Helps: Storing at 50% prevents "battery shock" from sitting empty or full.
19. Avoid Letting Your iPhone Die
What It Does: Prevents deep discharges that wear out the battery.
How to Do It:
- Charge your phone before it hits 10%.
Why It Helps: Letting your battery die is like starving it—it weakens over time.
20. Skip iOS Beta Software
What It Does: Avoids unoptimized software that drains battery.
How to Do It:
- Stick to public iOS updates (Settings > General > Software Update).
Why It Helps: Beta software is like a rough draft—it’s not finished and can be buggy.
21. Use Standby Mode with a Dock
What It Does: Turns your iPhone into a smart clock while charging efficiently.
How to Do It:
- Place your iPhone on a dock at night (horizontal orientation).
- Go to Settings > Standby to customize.
Why It Helps: Charges slowly and displays useful info without overworking the battery.
Final Tips for Battery Superheroes
- Update iOS Regularly: Apple fixes battery bugs in updates.
- Close Unused Apps: Swipe them away in the app switcher.
- Restart Weekly: Clears out battery-draining glitches.
FAQ: 5 Common iPhone Battery Questions
1. Should I charge my iPhone to 100% every night?
No. Charging to 100% daily strains the battery like overstretching a rubber band. Instead:
- Set a daily limit to 80–90% (Settings > Battery > Charging).
- Only charge to 100% before long trips or busy days.
2. Does wireless charging damage the battery?
Not directly, but it creates more heat—which does damage batteries. For daily use:
- Prefer wired charging with Apple-certified cables.
- Use MagSafe only when convenient, and remove your case to avoid overheating.
3. Why does my battery drain overnight?
Background apps or poor signal are likely culprits. Fix it by:
- Turning off Background App Refresh for social/media apps.
- Enabling Airplane Mode or Low Power Mode while sleeping.
- Checking for Battery settings in iPhone user guide.
4. Can Dark Mode really save battery?
Yes—but only on iPhones with OLED screens (iPhone 12 and newer). Dark pixels use no power, while bright ones drain battery. Enable it in Settings > Display & Brightness > Dark.
5. How often should I replace my iPhone battery?
When health drops below 80%:
- Check Settings > Battery > Battery Health.
- If "Maximum Capacity" is ≤80%, visit Apple for a replacement.
Note: Most batteries last 2–3 years with proper care.
Conclusion: Start Smart, Stay Powered
Extending your iPhone’s battery life isn’t about tech skills—it’s about simple daily habits. Focus on these 3 priorities first:
- Limit charging to 80–90% to reduce long-term wear.
- Kill battery vampires: Block background apps, delete unused widgets, and use Wi-Fi.
- Avoid heat traps: Never charge in direct sun, and ditch thick cases while plugging in.
You don’t need all 21 tips today. Pick 3 that fit your routine, and watch your battery last longer by lunchtime. For more iPhone power-ups, master Wi-Fi settings or learn to block spam calls to save even more juice.
I wrote an article all about 23 Tips and Tricks for iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max: Unlock the Full Potential of Your Device that I encourage you to read!