How to Save Battery on iPhone: Smart Settings, Habits, and Fixes

If your iPhone battery never seems to last as long as you expect, you’re not imagining it. Even newer models can drain quickly, often because of small settings or background activity you don’t notice. Learning how to save battery on iPhone isn’t about switching everything off or using your phone less. It’s about understanding what quietly uses power and making a few smarter adjustments. This guide walks you through the real reasons behind battery drain and the changes that actually help.

Why Your iPhone Battery Drains Quickly

Your iPhone battery drains faster when the phone is doing more work than you realise. Much of that work happens quietly in the background. Over a full day, small things add up.

The most common causes are simple.

• The screen stays on too long: The display uses more power than almost anything else. High brightness and long screen time drain the battery quickly.
• Apps run in the background: Some apps refresh content even when you’re not using them. You don’t see it, but your battery does.
• Mobile signal and 5G activity: Your iPhone works harder when the signal is weak or when it keeps switching between networks. This is more noticeable on 5G.
• Location tracking: Apps that check your location, especially with Precise Location turned on, use extra power throughout the day.
• Screen wake behaviour: A long Auto-Lock setting or an Always-On display means the screen lights up more often than necessary.
• Temperature: Cold weather can reduce battery life for a while. Heat is more serious and can damage battery health over time.
• Battery age: All batteries wear out. As your iPhone battery ages, it holds less charge, so it runs out sooner even with normal use.

None of these mean something is “wrong” with your phone. They just explain where the power goes.

How to Save Battery on an iPhone

Now that you know what drains your battery, the next step is fixing it. Saving battery on an iPhone comes down to a few smart settings and small habits that reduce power use without getting in your way.

Start with the quick check (so you’re not guessing)

Before changing anything, look at your battery data.

Go to Settings > Battery. Here you can see:

• when your iPhone was last fully charged
• how battery level changes through the day
• which apps used the most battery (tap View All Battery Usageif you see it)

If one app is way ahead of the others, that’s your first target.

Turn on Low Power Mode when you need it

Low Power Mode reduces background activity and adjusts system behaviour to use less power. When your battery drops below 20%, iOS will prompt you to enable it, but you can turn it on manually at any time via Control Centre or Settings > Battery > Power Mode > Low Power Mode. It’s useful on busy days or when you won’t be charging soon.

Reduce screen drain

• Lower your screen brightness using Control Centre or Settings > Display & Brightness.
• Shorten Auto-Lockby going to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock. A shorter timeout usually saves battery.
• If your iPhone supports it, consider turning off Always-On displayin Display & Brightness.

Stop background refresh where you don’t need it

Background App Refresh lets apps update content when you’re not using them, but it also uses power unnecessarily. To preserve battery, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Turn it off for apps that don’t need live updates, switch it off completely, or set it to Wi-Fi only.

Tighten Location Services

Location tracking is one of the top battery drains. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.

• Use While Using the Appfor most apps
• Turn off Precise Locationunless it’s necessary

Maps need accuracy. Most other apps don’t.

Use Wi-Fi instead of cellular when available

Using Wi-Fi consumes less battery than 4G or 5G, especially in areas with poor signal. If you’re in a stable Wi-Fi zone, switch off mobile data to reduce power consumption. This is a simple habit that helps if you’re focused on how to save battery life on iPhone in everyday use.

Use battery-friendly 5G settings

Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. Apple’s default 5G settings already balance speed and battery, but you can adjust them depending on your needs and signal quality.

Turn off wireless services when not needed

If you’re not using Bluetooth, AirDrop, or Personal Hotspot, turning them off can prevent unnecessary background activity. These wireless services constantly search for connections, which drains battery over time.

Reduce unnecessary notifications

Each time your phone lights up for a non-essential notification, it uses power. Disable push notifications for apps that don’t require real-time alerts by going to Settings > Notifications and reviewing app-by-app settings.

Reduce how often Mail checks for messages

Frequent email fetching drains power.

• On newer iOS versions: Settings > Apps > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data
• On older versions: Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data

Choose Manually or a longer fetch interval if instant email isn’t essential.

Reduce motion effects

Go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion > Reduce Motion. This cuts down animations that add small but constant system load.

Use Dark Mode

Dark Mode uses less energy on OLED iPhones by turning off individual pixels when displaying black. It’s not only easier on the eyes in low light, but it can also slightly reduce battery usage throughout the day.

Enable it via Settings > Display & Brightness or set it to switch automatically based on the time of day.

Keep iOS updated

Apple’s system updates often include behind-the-scenes battery optimisations. Keeping your phone on the latest iOS version ensures you’re benefiting from the newest performance and efficiency tweaks.

You can enable automatic updates or manually check under Settings > General > Software Update.

Check battery health if problems continue

Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Your iPhone shows maximum capacity and related battery health information. As capacity drops with age, it’s normal to get less time between charges.

Smart Habits to Protect Long-Term Battery Health

Daily charging habits and environmental conditions can have a big impact on your iPhone’s long-term battery health. If you want your device to maintain strong battery performance over the months (and years), follow these smart usage tips:

Keep heat under control

Heat is one of the quickest ways to wear a battery down. Charging already creates warmth, so where and how you charge matters.

Try to:

• Charge your iPhone in a normal room (between 0°C and 35°C), not direct sunlight or a hot car
• Take the case off if your phone often feels warm while charging
• Let a cold phone warm up naturally before plugging it in

If you ever see a message like “Charging On Hold”, that’s usually a temperature warning. iOS slows or pauses charging to protect the battery. Move the phone somewhere cooler (or warmer) and give it a few minutes.

Aim for the middle of the battery range

For daily use, it helps to keep your battery roughly between 20% and 80% when you can. You don’t need to watch it closely. Just avoid letting it sit at very low or very high levels for long periods.

Apple’s built-in tools help with this:

• Optimized Battery Charginglearns your routine and delays charging past 80% until you’re likely to unplug.
• On iPhone 15 models and later, you can set a Charge Limit(80% to 100% in 5% steps). Your iPhone may even recommend a limit based on your habits.

These features reduce the time your iPhone spends fully charged, which lowers long-term wear.

Use safe, well-made chargers and cables

Poor-quality chargers don’t just work badly. They can run hot, wear out quickly, or even damage your phone. It’s safer to use Apple-certified accessories (look for the MFi badge) or trusted third-party chargers that meet proper safety standards.

Here are a few Anker options that fit naturally into everyday use.

This compact Anker Nano Charger (45W)is useful if you want one plug that works for your iPhone and other USB-C devices. Its 45W output gives headroom, enough to fast charge an iPhone 17 Pro Max to 50% in just 20 minutes, and the GaN design keeps it small.

The big win is temperature management: ActiveShield 3.0 monitors heat with frequent checks, so charging stays more controlled when you’re topping up at your desk or in a busy café. It also has a foldable plug, so it won’t snag in your bag, and it supports USB-C PD/PPS for flexible fast charging. You get a tidy, travel-friendly setup without carrying a brick.

If your battery drains because you’re always hunting for cables, a fixed wireless charging spot helps. This Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station (3-in-1, Dock Stand) charges three devices in one place: your iPhone up to 15W, plus Apple Watch (5W max) and wireless earbuds (5W max).

It’s Qi2-certified and Made for Apple Watch, so magnetic alignment is reliable and charging is consistent. The adjustable stand angle makes it easier to glance at your phone without picking it up, which helps reduce unnecessary screen wake-ups throughout the day.

 

 

Even with smart battery settings, the easiest way to avoid running out of power on a long day is to keep a power bank with you.

This Anker Nano Power Bank (10K, 45W) is built for short, practical top-ups. The 10,000mAh capacity covers a full recharge, and the built-in retractable USB-C cable means one less thing to carry.

It can deliver up to 45W output and recharge itself quickly at up to 30W, which is useful on travel days. A small display shows charge status clearly, and built-in temperature monitoring helps keep charging controlled when you’re on the move.

Conclusion

Learning how to save battery on iPhone doesn’t mean changing how you use your phone or constantly watching percentages. It’s about understanding what drains power, adjusting a few key settings, and building simple charging habits that make sense day to day. Keep your screen and background activity under control, avoid heat, and use reliable chargers. Taken together, these small steps help your battery last longer now and slow down wear over time.

FAQs

How do I make my iPhone battery last longer?

To make your iPhone battery last longer, start in Settings > Battery and follow any “Suggestions” or “Insights” iOS shows. Use Low Power Mode, lower your screen brightness, and turn off unused features like Bluetooth or Background App Refresh. Use Wi-Fi whenever you can (it generally uses less power than mobile data), and update to the latest iOS for battery improvements. If you have a newer model on iOS 26, Adaptive Power can help too.

How do I stop my battery from draining so fast?

If your battery is draining fast, first check what’s using it: go to Settings > Battery > View All Battery Usage and look for apps with heavy background activity. Make sure iOS is up to date, and remember battery life can dip for a few days after an update while background tasks finish. Turn on Low Power Mode, use Wi-Fi where possible, and enable Airplane Mode in places with no coverage to stop constant signal searching.

Is it OK to leave iPhone charging overnight?

Yes. iPhone stops charging when it’s full, so it’s safe to leave it connected overnight, and it will top up again if the level drops. To reduce long-term wear, keep Optimised Battery Charging enabled so your iPhone spends less time sitting at 100%. For safety and comfort, charge on a hard, well-ventilated surface and avoid putting your phone, cable, or adaptor under a pillow or duvet while charging.

Why does my iPhone battery drop fast in cold weather?

Cold weather can cause your iPhone battery to drain faster because lithium-ion batteries work less efficiently at low temperatures. In the cold, the chemical processes inside the battery slow down, making it harder to deliver power, which can lead to sudden percentage drops or temporary shutdowns. This is usually not permanent, and once your iPhone warms up to a normal temperature, battery performance and charge levels should return to normal.