Turn on Low Power Mode to cut background activity

Low Power Mode reduces the power your iPhone uses by limiting background app refresh, lowering screen brightness, and slowing processor speed. You can turn it on manually whenever your battery drops below 20 percent, or set it to turn on automatically at that threshold.

To enable Low Power Mode, open Settings, tap Battery, then toggle on Low Power Mode. Your status bar will show a yellow battery icon when it is active. Most users notice the difference when ready—apps load slightly slower, but your battery lasts noticeably longer. You can turn it off anytime without affecting your phone's data or settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Low Power Mode reduces background activity and processor speed, extending battery life by several hours on a single charge.
  • Disabling location services, background app refresh, and push notifications for apps you do not use constantly saves significant battery drain.
  • Screen brightness and auto-lock settings have a direct impact on battery life because the display uses more power than any other component.
  • Closing apps running in the background and disabling Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you are not using them prevents constant power drain.
  • Extreme heat damages battery health permanently, so avoid leaving your iPhone in direct sunlight or in a hot car.

Reduce screen brightness and shorten auto-lock time

Your iPhone screen is the single largest drain on battery power. Lowering brightness and setting your phone to lock faster both extend battery life significantly. Open Settings, tap Display & Brightness, and drag the brightness slider to the left. A brightness level between 30 and 50 percent is readable indoors and saves substantial battery.

Next, set auto-lock to a shorter time. Go to Settings, tap Display & Brightness, then Auto-Lock, and choose 1 Minute or 2 Minutes instead of 5 or Never. Your screen will turn off faster when you are not using it, cutting power drain during the day. If you find yourself unlocking your phone frequently, 2 minutes is a good middle ground.

Turn off location services for apps that do not need it

Apps using GPS drain battery constantly because they request your location even when you are not actively using them. Open Settings, tap Privacy & Security, then Location Services. You will see a list of every app with location permission. Tap each app and change the setting from Always or While Using to Never, except for maps and navigation apps you actually need.

Many apps request location permission but rarely need it—social media, games, and shopping apps are common culprits. Changing these to Never will not break the apps; they straightforward will not know where you are. If an app truly needs your location, it will ask for permission the next time you use that feature.

Disable background app refresh and push notifications

Background app refresh allows apps to update their content even when you are not looking at them. This constant checking drains battery throughout the day. Open Settings, tap General, then Background App Refresh. Toggle off the apps you do not need to update constantly—email, news, and social media are safe to disable if you check them manually.

Push notifications also wake your screen and trigger processing. Go to Settings, tap Notifications, and review which apps send you alerts. Turn off notifications for anything non-essential: games, shopping apps, and social media rarely need when ready notification. Keep notifications on only for messages, calls, and calendar reminders.

Keep your iPhone cool and avoid extreme temperatures

Heat damages your battery's chemical structure permanently, reducing its ability to hold a charge over time. Avoid leaving your iPhone in direct sunlight, in a car on a hot day, or near heating vents. If your phone feels warm to the touch, close apps and let it cool down before using it again.

Cold temperatures also reduce battery performance temporarily—your phone may shut down at 20 percent battery in freezing weather—but the damage reverses once it warms up. Extreme heat, however, causes permanent damage that no setting can fix. If you live in a hot climate or spend time outdoors, consider a thin case that does not trap heat.

Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you are not using them

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi constantly search for devices and networks to connect to, even when you are not actively using them. Turning them off when you leave home or do not need them saves battery throughout the day. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open Control Center, then tap the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi icons to turn them off.

You do not need to turn these off constantly—leaving them on while you are at home or in the office is fine. But if you are going to be away from Wi-Fi for hours or do not use wireless headphones regularly, turning them off is a straightforward way to extend battery life by an hour or more per day.

Close apps running in the background and restart your phone weekly

Apps left open in the background continue using processor power and memory. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen (or swipe down from the top-right on newer models) to see all open apps, then swipe up on each one to close it. You do not need to do this constantly, but closing apps you finished using prevents unnecessary drain.

Restarting your iPhone once a week clears temporary files and resets background processes. Hold the power button and volume button together until the power-off slider appears, then slide to power off. Wait 10 seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on. This straightforward step often improves battery life noticeably because it stops apps from accumulating in memory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does closing apps in the background actually save battery?

Yes, but only for apps you have finished using. iOS is designed to pause apps automatically, so closing them manually makes the biggest difference for apps that continue running in the background—music, maps, and fitness apps. Closing apps you are not using prevents them from draining power.

Will turning off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth hurt my phone?

No. Turning them off straightforward stops your phone from searching for networks and devices. You can turn them back on anytime you need them. There is no downside to disabling them when you are not using them, and it extends battery life noticeably.

How often should I restart my iPhone?

Once a week is a good routine. Restarting clears temporary files and resets background processes that can accumulate over time. If you notice your battery draining faster than usual, try restarting before making other changes.

Is it bad to use Low Power Mode all the time?

No, but your phone will run slower. Low Power Mode reduces processor speed and background activity, so apps load slightly slower and some features like automatic downloads are paused. Use it when your battery is low or when you need your phone to last all day without charging.

What battery percentage should I charge my iPhone to?

Charging to 80 percent and letting it drop to 20 percent before charging again extends overall battery health longer than charging to 100 percent daily. However, for daily use, charging whenever convenient is fine. Avoid leaving your phone plugged in overnight constantly, as this can degrade the battery over time.