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Published on: 22.02.2024 | updated on: 02.04.2024
For the many good things the iPhone is renowned for, battery health is something that is not included in the list. Although Apple has made strides in recent years and developed longer-lasting batteries, some iPhone users are still experiencing iPhone battery drain. But don’t worry; we have compiled a guide to help you understand why your iPhone is draining battery fast and what you can practically do to resolve this issue.
This article will shed light on some common reasons behind iPhone battery draining fast, such as overheating, power-intensive applications, and aging battery. We’ll also talk in detail about all the possible steps you can take to fix the battery on your iPhone that is draining fast. You can resolve this issue by simply turning off some applications. However, in case of a degraded battery, you might need a battery replacement from a repair store.
Here is why your iPhone battery is draining faster than normal:
Your iPhone is always on high brightness or has such screen-timeout settings, keeping the display turned on for longer, consuming power.
You have turned on push notifications for multiple applications or emails.
Sim data is turned on for extended periods, consuming battery. Similarly, apps that use GPS or track your location in the background can deplete the battery quickly.
Location service settings may drain the battery, especially if they are always turned on.
There are apps running in the background that constantly consume battery power.
You are running heavy graphic applications such as games, or live streaming.
Wireless features such as WiFi, Bluetooth, and AirDrop, when left on, can drain the battery as they search for connections.
Your iPhone is exposed to extreme temperatures.
Last but not least, your iPhone battery health is significantly degraded and needs replacement.
If you are distressed with your iPhone’s battery time and want to take measures to stop the battery drain, here is what you can do about it;
Turn on auto-brightness to optimize screen brightness from the settings.
Only enable notifications for apps that you use daily.
Turn off sim data when not in use.
Adjust location services based on your need to minimize battery drain.
Clear apps from the background that you do not require.
Be mindful of heavy graphic applications when using them.
Turn off Bluetooth, WiFi, and AirDrop when not using.
Turn on low power mode to extend battery time.
Turn off screen always on setting (for iPhone 14 and 15).
Get your iPhone battery replaced if the battery timing gets worse.
Protect the iPhone from extreme temperatures.
Here is why your new iPhone battery is draining fast and what you can do to fix it:
If you've just set up your new iPhone and restored data from a previous device, the phone might be busy downloading apps, photos, and other content, initially leading to higher battery usage.
Location services are turned on.
You are using your device on high brightness.
You are using power-intensive applications.
Wireless features like WiFi, Bluetooth, and AirDrop are meaninglessly enabled.
Notifications and email fetch is consuming battery power.
Your phone is exposed to cold or hot temperatures.
Turn off wireless connections when not in use.
Turn on auto-brightness to consume less power.
Turn on low-power mode when battery power is low.
Turn off notifications that are irrelevant or not needed.
Protect the iPhone from extreme temperatures.
If battery drains constantly, even after all the above measures, consider replacing it.
Here is why your iPhone battery is draining fast all of a sudden and what you can do to fix it:
There might be a software glitch causing the battery to drain excessively.
Your battery health may have been significantly degraded and requires replacement.
A fast battery drain may be accredited to intensive use of applications especially the high graphic application such as games.
Your iPhone has low cell service and is working extra hard for reception.
Your iPhone is exposed to extreme temperatures.
Restart your iPhone and update iOS to the latest version; consider a factory reset if necessary.
Check battery health in settings and replace the battery if it's below 80% capacity.
Minimize the use of high-graphic apps and close background applications.
Use Airplane Mode in poor reception areas and switch to Wi-Fi calling if available.
Avoid exposing your iPhone to extreme heat or cold, remove the case during charging in hot conditions, and allow temperature acclimatization.
Here are some possible reasons why your iPhone battery is draining fast after an update and what you can do to fix it:
There is likely a software glitch causing the problem.
You are still running older versions of applications.
Wait for the new iOS release to fix the bugs, as it may resolve battery issues.
Update applications to run more effectively with the new iOS.
Many users have faced excessive battery drain in their iPhones after iOS 16. Here are some possible causes behind this issue and how to fix it:
Your iPhone has an always-on display turned on.
You are using location services all the time.
You are using live lock screen wallpapers.
You are using 5g standalone as the mobile service settings.
Disable the always-on display and enable auto-brightness to optimize the battery.
Turn off location service and only use it when needed.
Remove live lock screen wallpaper as they might be consuming a lot of power.
Change 5G settings to 5G Auto.
Here are some reasons why your iPhone battery is draining overnight and how you can fix it:
Apps running in the background, especially those using location services or performing background refreshes, can drain the battery.
Receiving constant notifications or emails throughout the night can keep your phone active, using up battery power.
WiFi and Bluetooth being active overnight can also contribute to battery drain.
Your iPhone battery health is degraded significantly.
Restrict background app refresh by going to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn it off for apps that don't need to update in the background.
Limit or disable push notifications for non-essential apps by going to Settings > Notifications.
Turn off WiFi and Bluetooth if not in use.
Ensure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS, as updates can resolve battery-related issues.
Check the battery health by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health to see if the battery's performance capability is degraded. Get the battery replaced if it is below 80%.
The iPhone 11's fast battery drainage can be due to natural battery degradation over time, intensive usage, some application settings, outdated software, or exposure to extreme temperatures. Regularly updating iOS and monitoring battery health in settings can help manage these issues. In case of significantly reduced battery health, a replacement may be necessary.
The iPhone 12 might experience rapid battery drain due to several factors. One notable reason is Background App Refresh, where apps update content in the background, consuming significant power. Using 5G, WiFi, or Bluetooth, if left on when not in use, can drain the battery. Additionally, the battery capacity in the iPhone 12 series is lower compared to its predecessor, the iPhone 11. Hence, it may drain faster than usual when used excessively.
To resolve these issues, users can disable unnecessary background app refreshes, turn off wireless connections when not in use, adjust screen brightness, and ensure their device runs the latest iOS version to enjoy optimized performance and longer battery life.
iPhone 13 is still one of the best Apple phones in the market. But like other models, users face battery-draining issues in this series as well. The reasons behind the battery draining can be as simple as an aging battery that needs replacement or some settings, if turned off, can resolve this issue.
Similar to the iPhone 12, factors like intensive background app activity, the use of 5G over LTE, and screen brightness settings can significantly affect battery life. The iPhone 13's advanced features and processing power, while enhancing user experience, can also lead to quicker battery consumption.
Users should monitor and limit the background activity of power-intensive apps, consider using Low Power Mode, update to the latest iOS, and manage screen brightness to extend battery life.
The reasons behind the iPhone 13 Pro Max battery draining fast are somewhat similar to the iPhone 13 Pro. Factors include intensive background app activity, 5G connectivity, and high screen brightness settings. To manage this, users should regularly update iOS for bug fixes and optimizations, monitor and restrict background app usage, use Low Power Mode, and adjust screen brightness.
A bright screen, push emails, apps tracking your locations, or outdated software can contribute to the iPhone 14 battery draining fast.
The iPhone 14 Pro's always-on display consumes power continuously, contributing to faster battery depletion. Additionally, the device's higher operational display brightness and Dynamic Island feature drain the battery faster.
The iPhone 14 Pro, despite having a slightly larger battery than its predecessor, faces challenges due to these features. Users can manage by disabling the always-on display, turning on auto-brightness, and using Low Power Mode. Other solutions include turning off unnecessary features and adjusting settings.
Much like the iPhone 14, several factors could contribute, including background app refresh, display brightness settings, 5G network connections, and software bugs. To help manage battery life, try disabling background app refresh, lowering screen brightness, turning off Always On display, switching from 5G to 4G, disabling unused widgets, and avoiding processor-intensive tasks.
The iPhone 15 is relatively new in the market. While users cannot stop praising the iPhone 15 series, some complain about the battery draining faster than usual. In the iPhones, the battery can be drained due to installing everything and setting up your device. However, if the issue still persists after a few months, there can be other reasons behind this issue, such as high brightness, location services, and power-intensive applications.
Apple's iPhone 15 is its latest and most reliable model by Apple. However, users have experienced a fast battery drain on the iPhone 15 Pro. Many of the factors include the most obvious dynamic island, 5g, always-on-display, and usage pattern.
To extend battery life, it is suggested to disable battery-draining features like those mentioned above and adjust settings to optimize the device for the best battery time.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has been plagued by battery drain complaints since its release. Many users are reporting much faster than expected battery drain, with the phone not even lasting a full day on a charge. This is likely due to software optimization problems rather than a fault with the hardware itself. While other factors, like 5g and Dynamic Island, are also accountable, still, the rapid power drain is frustrating for owners who expect better battery life from Apple's most premium and expensive iPhone model.
iPhone SE battery capacity is lower than that of other models. So, there is no surprise that it drains fast. However, other reasons, such as high brightness, using LTE, some application settings, and usage patterns, can also affect the battery’s health. To tackle this, turn on auto-brightness and disable sim data and location services to extend the battery time. Moreover, keep an eye out for battery percentage as it may also be a reason behind fast battery drain.
Use GPS navigation constantly, stream high-definition videos, play graphics-intensive games, have the maximum screen brightness level, actively use the camera for photos/videos, leave connectivity like Bluetooth and WiFi on constantly, and don’t close background-refreshing apps.
Exposing your device to extreme temperatures, letting the battery completely drain to 0% frequently, and using poor quality chargers kill iPhone battery health.
Background app activity, old battery unable to hold charge anymore, iOS software not optimized for battery life, transmission power levels of cellular/WiFi signals could be draining your iPhone battery.
Approximately 5-10% battery drain per hour for light usage like checking emails and surfing the web is considered normal. Draining up to 20% for gaming or navigation is also possible.
A 1% battery drain in 6-7 minutes can be considered normal or high depending on various factors, such as the type of activities being performed on the device, the age of the battery, and the device's overall health. If this battery drain happens during minimal or standby usage, it could be a battery issue.
Yes, it is normal for the iPhone’s battery to drain from 5 to 10% overnight. Higher than 10% means that an app or a degraded battery is causing the issue.
The most likely reasons include a degraded battery, background app refresh or location services turned on.
You can check battery usage by app breakdown in the Settings under battery.
Graphics-heavy games, video streaming apps, and navigation/map apps tend to use maximum battery.
Yes, but an iPhone is generally safe against these threats.
To prevent excessive battery drain on your iPhone in the future, consider implementing these strategies:
Close all applications when not in use.
Keep iOS and apps updated to fix software bugs.
Reduce screen brightness or use auto-brightness.
Turn off unnecessary notifications like push emails.
Use Wi-Fi instead of cellular data when available, as it generally consumes less battery.
Enable Low Power Mode or its equivalent to limit background activity.
Disable location services for apps that don't need them.
Regularly check the battery's health to see if the battery needs replacement.
Turn off or limit background app refresh for non-essential apps.
Avoid exposing your iPhone to extreme temperatures.
iPhones are market leaders in the smartphone industry, and despite shaping major smartphone technologies, Apple still suffers from battery-timing complaints. In the guide above, we have listed some of the most common reasons behind fast battery drain based on model and situation. However, common reasons included degraded battery, high brightness, sim data, location services, and background refreshes.
By simply adjusting a few settings and removing widgets, apps, and notifications that are not required, Apple users can increase battery time. Smart use of the device can promise a better battery life. However, if the issue remains, it might be a good time to get the battery replaced by a reliable iPhone repair store.
Author: Madiha Khadim
LinkedIn: Madiha Khadim
Tech Writer | Photographer
Madi is a dynamic tech writer with a passion for simplifying complex concepts. Her expertise lies in creating clear and concise guides, blogs, manuals, and tutorials that empower users to navigate the technological landscape with ease. Throughout her career, Madi has worked with numerous leading tech companies, collaborating with engineers, developers, designers and marketers to create user manuals, FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and tech articles, on the websites such as "Technology Castle" and "Bilzimo". She can transform intricate technical jargon into user-friendly language, empowering users to understand and utilize products effectively.
Tech Writer | Photographer
LinkedIn: Madiha Khadim
Madi is a dynamic tech writer with a passion for simplifying complex concepts. Her expertise lies in creating clear and concise guides, blogs, manuals, and tutorials that empower users to navigate the technological landscape with ease. Throughout her career, Madi has worked with numerous leading tech companies, collaborating with engineers, developers, designers and marketers to create user manuals, FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and tech articles, on the websites such as "Technology Castle" and "Bilzimo". She can transform intricate technical jargon into user-friendly language, empowering users to understand and utilize products effectively.
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