Maintaining your iPhone’s battery health is crucial for ensuring its longevity and optimal performance. While it’s inevitable that the battery capacity will gradually decrease over time, adopting certain practices can significantly extend its lifespan and maintain its efficiency. The video below from iReviews shows us a range of practical tips to help us optimize our iPhone’s battery health and get the most out of your device with the maximum capacity.
Minimize Charging Cycles
One of the key factors in preserving your iPhone’s battery health is to minimize the number of charging cycles. A full charge from 0% to 100% counts as one cycle, and each cycle contributes to the gradual degradation of the battery’s capacity. To keep these cycles low, it’s recommended to charge your phone more frequently but for shorter periods. This approach reduces the overall wear and tear on the battery, as opposed to letting it drain completely and then charging it to full capacity.
- Charge your iPhone when it reaches around 20% battery level instead of waiting until it’s nearly depleted.
- Avoid leaving your iPhone charging overnight or for extended periods when it’s already fully charged.
- Use low power mode when the battery is low to extend its life until you can charge it.
Be Cautious with Beta Software
While it can be tempting to try out the latest beta versions of iOS, it’s important to exercise caution. Beta software is often unstable and can cause your iPhone to work harder than necessary, leading to faster battery drain. Unless you have a specific need for beta features, it’s best to stick with stable software releases to ensure your device runs efficiently and to minimize any potential battery-related issues.
Manage Your Apps Efficiently
Efficient app management plays a crucial role in preserving your iPhone’s battery life. Some apps can be more demanding on the battery than others, especially those that frequently refresh in the background or use location services. To optimize battery performance:
- Identify and delete apps that consume excessive battery power.
- Avoid frequently closing and reopening apps, as this can actually consume more battery than leaving them running in the background.
- Adjust the background app refresh settings to limit the frequency of updates for non-essential apps.
Disable Unnecessary Features and Services
Your iPhone comes with a variety of features and services that can drain the battery if left running unnecessarily. To conserve battery life, it’s important to disable or turn off features that you don’t actively use. Some common culprits include:
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi: Turn them off when not in use, especially in areas with poor signal strength.
- Location Services: Disable location access for apps that don’t require it, and limit the use of GPS-intensive apps.
- Background App Refresh: Selectively disable background refresh for apps that don’t need constant updating.
Maintain Moderate Charge Levels
Avoiding extreme charge levels is another key aspect of maintaining your iPhone’s battery health. It’s best to keep your battery level between 20% and 80% whenever possible. This practice helps prevent deep discharges and overcharging, both of which can accelerate battery degradation over time.
- Charge your iPhone when it reaches around 20% battery level.
- Unplug your iPhone once it reaches 80% charge, especially if you don’t plan to use it immediately.
- Avoid leaving your iPhone without charge for extended periods, as extremely low battery levels can strain the battery.
Minimize Usage During Charging
Using your iPhone heavily while it’s charging can lead to overheating, which is detrimental to battery health. Power-intensive tasks such as gaming, video streaming, or running demanding apps generate more heat, especially when combined with the heat produced during charging. To prevent overheating and protect your battery:
- Avoid using your iPhone for heavy tasks while it’s charging.
- Let your iPhone charge undisturbed, preferably in a cool environment.
- Remove any protective cases that may trap heat during charging.
Protect Your iPhone from Extreme Temperatures
Exposure to extreme temperatures, particularly heat, can accelerate battery degradation. High temperatures can cause the battery to expand, leading to reduced capacity and potential damage. To safeguard your iPhone’s battery health:
- Avoid leaving your iPhone in hot environments, such as inside a car on a sunny day.
- Keep your iPhone away from direct sunlight or heat sources for extended periods.
- Use your iPhone in a temperature-controlled environment whenever possible.
Use Apple-Certified Chargers and Accessories
Using Apple-certified chargers and accessories is crucial for ensuring safe and efficient charging. Non-certified or counterfeit chargers can deliver inconsistent power, leading to potential battery damage and overheating risks. To protect your iPhone’s battery:
- Use only Apple-certified chargers and cables that are compatible with your iPhone model.
- Avoid using cheap, generic, or counterfeit charging accessories.
- Replace any damaged or frayed cables promptly to prevent charging issues.
Be Mindful of Wireless Charging
While wireless charging offers convenience, it can generate more heat compared to wired charging. Excessive heat during wireless charging can put additional strain on your iPhone’s battery. To minimize the impact:
- Use wireless charging sparingly, especially if your iPhone tends to heat up during the process.
- Place your iPhone on the wireless charger correctly to ensure efficient power transfer and reduce heat generation.
- Avoid using your iPhone while it’s wirelessly charging to prevent overheating.
Enable Optimized Battery Charging
With the introduction of iOS 13, Apple introduced the Optimized Battery Charging feature. This intelligent feature learns your daily charging habits and delays charging past 80% when it predicts you’ll be plugged in for an extended period. By reducing the time your iPhone spends fully charged, this feature helps minimize battery aging. To take advantage of this feature:
- Ensure your iPhone is updated to iOS 13 or later.
- Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health and enable the “Optimized Battery Charging” option.
- Keep your iPhone connected to Wi-Fi to allow the feature to learn your charging routine effectively.
Stay Up to Date with Software Updates
Apple regularly releases software updates that include performance improvements, bug fixes, and battery optimizations. Keeping your iPhone updated to the latest iOS version ensures that you benefit from these enhancements. Software updates can also address any known battery-related issues and improve overall device efficiency. To keep your iPhone updated:
- Go to Settings > General > Software Update to check for available updates.
- Download and install any pending updates when your iPhone is connected to Wi-Fi and has sufficient battery charge.
- Enable automatic updates to ensure you always have the latest iOS version.
By implementing these tips and best practices, you can significantly improve and maintain the battery health of your iPhone. Adopting habits that reduce strain on the battery, minimize exposure to harmful factors, and optimize charging practices will go a long way in ensuring your iPhone’s battery remains efficient and reliable for an extended period. Remember, small changes in your daily usage can have a substantial impact on your iPhone’s battery health in the long run.
Source & Image Credit: iReviews
Filed Under: Apple, Apple iPhone, Guides, Top News
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