Turn on Low Power Mode to cut background activity

Low Power Mode is the fastest way to extend your iPhone's battery life. It reduces processor speed, limits background app refresh, and dims the display slightly. Your phone still works normally — apps open, calls come through, texts send — but the system uses less power overall.

To turn it on, open Settings, tap Battery, then toggle Low Power Mode on. You can also swipe up from the bottom of your screen (or down from the top right on newer models) to open Control Center and tap the battery icon. Low Power Mode stays on until your battery reaches 20 percent, then turns off automatically — or you can turn it off manually whenever you want.

Most people notice the difference when ready. If your battery usually lasts until evening, Low Power Mode can stretch that to late night or the next morning.

Key Takeaways

  • Low Power Mode reduces processor speed and background activity, and you can turn it on in Settings or Control Center.
  • Reduce screen brightness and enable auto-brightness so your display uses less power in different lighting.
  • Turn off location services for apps that do not need it, and disable background app refresh for apps you do not use constantly.
  • Close apps running in the background, disable push notifications for non-urgent apps, and turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you are not using them.
  • Disable visual effects like motion and transparency, and keep your iPhone updated to the latest iOS version.

Lower your screen brightness and use auto-brightness

Your display is the single biggest battery drain on an iPhone. The brighter the screen, the faster the battery drains. Reducing brightness by even 30 percent can noticeably extend battery life.

Open Settings, tap Display & Brightness, and drag the brightness slider to the left. You can also swipe down from the top right (or up from the bottom on older models) to open Control Center and adjust brightness there. For the easiest approach, turn on Auto-Brightness in Display & Brightness settings. Your phone will then adjust brightness automatically based on the light around you — bright outdoors, dim indoors — without you having to think about it.

If you spend a lot of time on your phone, lowering brightness is one of the most effective changes you can make.

Turn off location services for apps that do not need it

Apps that use GPS drain battery quickly because they constantly request your location. Many apps ask for location permission but do not actually need it — a weather app needs it, a notes app does not.

Open Settings, tap Privacy & Security, then Location Services. You will see a list of every app that has requested location access. Tap each app and choose "Never" or "While Using" instead of "Always." If an app shows "Always," it is tracking your location even when you are not using it. Switch it to "While Using" or "Never" depending on whether the app actually needs to know where you are.

Turning off location for apps you do not actively use can add hours to your battery life.

Disable background app refresh and push notifications

Apps refresh in the background even when you are not using them, checking for new messages, updates, or data. This happens constantly and drains battery steadily.

Open Settings, tap General, then Background App Refresh. You will see a list of apps. Toggle off the ones you do not need to update constantly — for example, a news app you check once a day does not need to refresh in the background. Keep it on for messaging apps, email, and anything else you want to stay current.

Push notifications also drain battery because your phone lights up and vibrates every time one arrives. Open Settings, tap Notifications, and review which apps send you notifications. Turn off notifications for apps that are not urgent — games, shopping apps, social media. Keep notifications on for messages, calls, and calendar reminders.

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

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi radios search for connections constantly, even when you are not actively using them. Turning them off when you do not need them saves battery.

Swipe down from the top right (or up from the bottom on older models) to open Control Center. Tap the Bluetooth icon to turn it off, and tap the Wi-Fi icon to turn it off. When you need them again, turn them back on the same way. If you use Bluetooth headphones or a car connection regularly, leave Bluetooth on — the battery cost is usually worth the convenience. But if you rarely use it, turning it off is a quick win.

Wi-Fi actually uses less battery than cellular data when you are connected to a network, so turn off Wi-Fi only when you are away from home or the office.

Disable visual effects and motion

Your iPhone uses animations and visual effects throughout the system — when you open apps, switch between screens, and interact with notifications. These effects look smooth but cost battery power.

Open Settings, tap Accessibility, then Display & Text Size. Turn on Reduce Motion. This removes most animations and makes the system respond faster. You can also open Settings, tap Accessibility, then Display & Text Size and turn on Reduce Transparency to simplify visual effects.

These changes make your phone feel snappier and use less power at the same time.

Keep your iPhone updated to the latest iOS version

Apple releases iOS updates regularly, and many of them include battery optimizations. An older iOS version may drain battery faster than a newer one.

Open Settings, tap General, then Software Update. If an update is available, tap read and Install. Your phone will update overnight if you leave it plugged in, or you can update when ready if the read is small. After updating, your battery performance may improve noticeably.

Keeping your phone updated also fixes bugs that sometimes cause unexpected battery drain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Low Power Mode slow down my iPhone?

Low Power Mode reduces processor speed slightly, so some apps may open a fraction of a second slower. Most people do not notice the difference in everyday use. Calls, texts, and web browsing work normally. If you need full speed for a specific task, you can turn Low Power Mode off temporarily.

Will turning off background app refresh break my email or messages?

No. Email and messaging apps will still receive new messages when you open them, and push notifications will still arrive to alert you. Background app refresh only means the app stops checking for updates when you are not using it. For messaging apps you use constantly, keep background refresh on.

Can I turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi automatically?

iOS does not have a built-in scheduler to turn Bluetooth and Wi-Fi off at specific times. You can turn them off manually in Control Center, or use the Shortcuts app to create an automation that turns them off at a certain time each day. For most people, manually turning them off when leaving home is simpler.

What should I do if my battery still drains quickly after trying these steps?

Check which apps are using the most battery. Open Settings, tap Battery, and look at Battery Usage. If one app is using far more than others, that app may have a problem. Try closing it, restarting your phone, or uninstalling and reinstalling the app. If battery drain continues, your battery itself may be aging and need replacement.

Does dark mode save battery on all iPhones?

Dark mode saves battery only on iPhones with OLED screens — iPhone 12 and newer. On older iPhones with LCD screens, dark mode makes no difference to battery life. If you have an iPhone 12 or newer, turning on dark mode in Settings, Display & Brightness can extend battery life slightly.