There is so much fiction surrounding the life of iPhone batteries. Ranging from it by design, it fails after a given amount of time, to you can run certain apps for so long. This article seeks to separate the facts from fiction and give you the most reliable, tried, and tested truths. It will address common misconceptions and provide practical tips for prolonging your iPhone’s battery life.
Myth 1: Closing Apps Saves Battery
Debunked: Many people believe that closing apps from the app switcher saves battery, but this is generally not true. iOS is designed to manage apps in the background efficiently. Forcing apps to close can actually drain more battery as they need to reload completely the next time you open them.
Tip: Only close apps that are misbehaving or if you have a specific reason to do so.
Myth 2: Charging Overnight Damages the Battery
Debunked: Modern iPhones are equipped with advanced charging management systems. iOS includes an optimized battery charging feature that learns your daily charging routine and waits to finish charging past 80% until you need to use the phone.
Tip: Enable “Optimized Battery Charging” in Settings > Battery > Battery Health to prolong battery lifespan.
Myth 3: Using Non-Apple Chargers Harms Your Battery
Debunked: While it’s true that very cheap or uncertified chargers can be unsafe, reputable third-party chargers that are MFi (Made for iPhone) certified are perfectly safe to use.
Tip: Use MFi-certified chargers and cables to ensure safe and efficient charging.
Myth 4: Letting Your Battery Drain Completely Before Recharging Is Better
Debunked: Lithium-ion batteries, like those in iPhones, don’t benefit from being fully drained. In fact, regularly letting your battery drain to 0% can shorten its lifespan.
Tip: Try to keep your battery level between 20% and 80% for optimal battery health.
Myth 5: Background App Refresh Drains Battery
Debunked: While Background App Refresh allows apps to update content in the background, iOS is designed to manage it efficiently. Disabling this feature for all apps might not significantly improve battery life but can hinder app functionality.
Tip: Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and selectively disable it for apps that you don’t need to update in the background.
Practical Tips for Extending Battery Life
1. Adjust Screen Brightness:
Lowering your screen brightness or enabling auto-brightness can save battery life. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness and adjust the slider or enable Auto-Brightness.
2. Use Low Power Mode:
Enable Low Power Mode when your battery is low. This reduces or disables background activities like mail fetch and downloads. Go to Settings > Battery and toggle on Low Power Mode.
3. Update to the Latest iOS:
Apple frequently releases updates that optimize battery usage. Ensure your iPhone is running the latest iOS version by going to Settings > General > Software Update.
4. Manage Location Services:
Turn off location services for apps that don’t need them. Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and select which apps can use your location.
5. Check Battery Usage:
Identify apps that consume the most battery by going to Settings > Battery. This helps you understand which apps to limit or optimize.
By debunking these myths and following these practical tips, you can significantly extend the battery life of your iPhone and ensure it performs optimally over time.
For more detailed guidance, visit the official Apple Support page on iPhone battery performance and maintenance.
