Tips and tricks for maximizing battery life on your iPhone

There is nothing more frustrating than seeing your iPhone battery level inch closer and closer to zero in the middle of a busy day. Oh, the frustration that comes with a drained battery – it’s unreal! You’re halfway through your day, you need to make an important call or access some important information, and your phone dies on you! If you’re like most people, your iPhone is one of your most prized possessions. You rely on it for communication, organization, and entertainment. So, it’s no surprise that maximizing your iPhone’s battery life is a top priority. 

Did you know that an average smartphone’s battery life is about 12 to 18 months? Over time, the battery starts degrading, and its life span begins to decrease. It is why optimizing battery life is vital. In a survey on MacRumors, 52% of iPhone users reported that their phone’s battery drains very quickly.

One important thing to remember is always to use the charger that comes with your phone. Although it can be tempting to buy a cheaper, third-party charger, your phone manufacturer-designed charger is best because it is matched to your phone’s power requirements. Also, avoid fully charging your phone’s battery; this may cause battery degradation. It may sound counterintuitive, but charging your phone battery moderately, such as 40 % to 80 %, helps extend its life.

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Battery life – how does it work?

Before we go ahead, let’s learn the science behind how the battery works. Smartphones use a lithium-ion battery, which is a lighter and more efficient battery. Each battery has a limited lifespan, depending on how often you charge it and the temperature at which it operates. 

But ever wondered why most smartphones use lithium-ion batteries apart from their efficiency and weight? Here are a few reasons:

1. Durability

Compared to other battery technologies, lithium-ion batteries offer faster charging, longer lifespan, and higher power density. This results in extended battery life within a lighter and more compact package.

2. Stores more power
Lithium-ion batteries store significantly more electricity per kilogram compared to other battery technologies. With a capacity of up to 150 watt-hours, they outperform nickel-metal hydride batteries (60-70 watt-hours) and lead-acid batteries (25 watt-hours) commonly found in cars.

3. Convenient charging

Lithium-ion batteries simplify device charging. You can recharge your smartphone at any time without waiting for a full discharge. They allow your device to remain plugged in for extended periods without any negative effects. Li-ion batteries maintain their long-lasting quality even after hundreds of charge/discharge cycles.

4. Low-cost maintenance
Lithium-ion batteries require minimal maintenance and pose little to no harm when disposed of. They do not require memory or scheduled cycling to prolong their lifespan. Additionally, the self-discharge rate of lithium-ion batteries is significantly lower than nickel-cadmium batteries. After a full charge, the discharge rate is only 5% in the first four hours and decreases to around 2% per month, making Li-ion batteries ideal for devices.

One of the downsides…
Despite their growing popularity, lithium-ion batteries have drawbacks, most notably their tendency to explode. Instances of battery explosions leading to fires have been reported in laptops, phones (particularly Samsung devices), and even in the electrical system of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The primary reason for these explosions is the high energy density packed into a compact form within lithium-ion batteries.

How to improve battery life?

Thankfully, there are several ways to improve your phone’s battery life. Here are some noteworthy ones.

1. Turn on Low Power Mode

One of the quickest and easiest ways to maximize the battery life on your iPhone is by using Low Power Mode. When enabled, Low Power Mode can extend the battery life of your iPhone by up to 3 hours. To turn on low power mode, head over to ‘Settings,’ then ‘Battery,’ and then toggle the switch to turn it on.

2. Disable Background App Refresh

Background App Refresh is a feature that allows apps to refresh their content in the background, even when you’re not using them. While this feature can be helpful, it can also be a battery hog. Consider disabling background app refresh, especially for apps that you use infrequently. To disable it, head over to Settings > General, then Background App Refresh, and then toggle the switch to turn it off.

3. Lower Screen Brightness

The brighter your phone’s display, the more battery life it will use. Consider lowering your screen brightness to conserve battery life. You can do this by going to ‘Settings,’ then ‘Display & Brightness,’ and then adjusting the slider to lower the brightness.

4. Manage Bluetooth and WiFi

Bluetooth and WiFi are both notorious for using up battery life, even when you’re not actively using them. Make sure to turn them off when you’re not using them to conserve battery life. You can turn off Bluetooth and WiFi by going to Settings and then toggling the switches to turn them off.

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5. Turn off Location Services

Location services allow your phone to determine your location, but they can be a major drain on battery life. Consider turning off location services for apps that don’t need them. To do this, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services, and then toggle the switches to turn off location services for specific apps.

6. Mind your app usage
Different apps drain battery life at different rates. Social media apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, use a lot of battery as they continuously update in the background. Also, gaming apps and video-streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube, can quickly deplete the battery. Monitoring and controlling your app usage can help you save battery life.

7. Battery-saving apps
Lastly, there are many battery-saving apps you can download to help you monitor and save your phone’s battery life, such as Clean Master, Greenify, DU Battery Saver, etc. These apps monitor your phone’s battery life, tell you which apps are draining the battery, and offer you ways to optimize battery life.

There you have it – a comprehensive guide on how to maximize the battery life of your iPhone. Stay connected to PureVPN Blog to learn more about how to maintain your digital lifestyle while boosting your online privacy and security.