8 tips to make your iPhone battery last all day

As iPhones age, battery performance naturally declines. Newer software, along with features powered by Apple Intelligence, can accelerate the drain, especially when using graphics-heavy apps or shooting photos and videos. But simple settings adjustments and usage habits can make a big difference, according to tech site CNET.

Here are eight practical tips to help your iPhone last longer throughout the day.

1. Identify battery-draining apps

Apps that stream video, track your location, or render intensive graphics are often the biggest battery consumers. If your device heats up while using an app, it is likely using more power than usual. To check battery usage, go to Settings > Battery and review the list of apps. The Insights and Suggestions section may also highlight specific settings or apps to adjust for improved battery life.

2. Remove or limit use of power-hungry apps

Social media apps such as TikTok and Instagram often consume a large share of battery life. To reduce their impact, consider deleting them or moving them to a folder to discourage frequent use. For more control, go to Settings > Screen Time > App Limits to set daily usage limits for individual apps or categories.

3. Lower screen brightness and shorten Auto-Lock

A bright screen drains the battery quickly. Swipe down from the top-right corner to access the Control Center, then reduce the brightness manually. You can also go to Settings > Display & Brightness to adjust it.

In the same menu, set a shorter Auto-Lock time to prevent the screen from staying on unnecessarily when not in use.

An iPhone is charging. Illustration from Unsplash

4. Turn on Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode helps conserve battery by reducing background activity, dimming the screen, and disabling certain features like Always On Display. It activates automatically at 20% battery but can be turned on manually at any time via Settings > Battery.

5. Switch to 4G LTE instead of 5G

If your iPhone struggles to maintain a stable 5G connection, it can consume more battery trying to stay connected. To switch to a more stable connection, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data, then select LTE.

You can also save battery by turning on Low Data Mode, which limits background activity like app refreshes and automatic updates.

6. Disable location services

Location tracking is another major battery drain. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services to control which apps can access your location. To save even more battery, you can turn off all location services with the toggle at the top.

7. Turn off Always On Display

Exclusive to iPhone 14 Pro and later Pro and Pro Max models, Always On Display keeps a dimmed version of the lock screen visible. While it allows quick glances at time and notifications, it uses additional power.

To turn it off, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On Display. You can also keep it partially active by disabling wallpaper and notification visibility.

8. Replace your battery when needed

Over time, batteries lose capacity and become less efficient. To check your battery’s health, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health for details on its maximum capacity and charge cycle count.

Apple recommends replacing the battery when capacity drops below 80%, as it may no longer support a full day’s use. In rare cases, degraded batteries can swell and cause internal damage to components such as sensors.