Your iPhone is more than just a phone—it’s your navigation system, personal assistant, and entertainment hub. But all of this convenience comes at a cost: battery health. We’ve all been there—fresh out of the box, your iPhone’s battery is running strong. Fast forward a couple of years, and you’re charging it multiple times a day. So, how do you keep your battery running as long as possible?
Let’s break down the factors that affect battery health and what you can do to make sure your iPhone’s battery stays in top shape for as long as possible.
Table of Contents
Understanding iPhone Battery Health
Before we dive into tips, let’s understand what we mean by battery health. Apple uses lithium-ion batteries in iPhones, which are great for fast charging and long-lasting power—until they aren’t. Over time, your battery’s maximum capacity declines, meaning it won’t hold a charge like it used to. Apple actually tracks this for you in the Settings under Battery > Battery Health & Charging, where you can see your battery’s “Maximum Capacity.”
A healthy iPhone battery should be at (or close to) 100% when new, but over time this number will drop. Apple considers anything above 80% after two years of usage as normal. But what if you could slow down this decline and keep that battery percentage higher for longer?
Why Does Battery Health Decline?
A lot of factors come into play, but in simple terms, your battery health declines due to chemical aging. Every time you charge your phone, the chemical components of your battery wear out just a little bit more. And while you can’t stop the clock on aging, you can definitely reduce the speed of this decline by taking a few key steps.
1. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Lithium-ion batteries are sensitive to temperature. Heat, in particular, is your battery’s worst enemy. Apple recommends keeping your iPhone between 32°F and 95°F (0°C to 35°C), and that means you should avoid leaving your phone in a hot car, direct sunlight, or next to heating devices.
On the flip side, cold temperatures can also temporarily reduce battery performance. If you’re outside on a cold winter day, expect your battery to drain faster. But don’t worry—it’ll bounce back to normal once it’s warmed up again.
Tip: If your phone is overheating, remove it from the case if it’s covered and turn on Airplane Mode to prevent apps from running in the background.
2. Optimize Your Charging Habits
Charging is a huge part of battery health. Here’s the golden rule: Avoid full charge cycles. You don’t need to let your battery drop to 0% and then charge it to 100%—in fact, that’s detrimental in the long run.
Lithium-ion batteries like to stay between 20% and 80%. Frequent small charges, even if it’s just to top up the battery, are actually better than waiting for a full charge. Apple has included some useful tools to help with this. For instance, the “Optimized Battery Charging” feature learns your charging routine and slows down charging when it reaches 80%, saving that final 20% for just before you usually start using it.
Tip: Enable Optimized Battery Charging under Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.
3. Use the Right Charger
Cheap third-party chargers can mess with your iPhone’s battery. Not only can they be dangerous, but they also can cause inconsistent charging that stresses your battery. Stick with Apple-certified chargers and cables, which are designed to work within the limits of your device. This includes using USB-C to Lightning cables with the right wattage adapter for faster but safe charging.
Tip: Wireless chargers are fine, but don’t leave your phone on them for hours once it hits 100%.
4. Don’t Let Your iPhone Get to 0%
Contrary to what you might have heard, it’s not good to let your iPhone battery die completely on a regular basis. Lithium-ion batteries don’t have the same “memory” effect as older rechargeable batteries, so they don’t benefit from full discharges. In fact, letting your battery drain to 0% too often can actually shorten its overall lifespan.
Tip: Aim to recharge once your iPhone hits 20% rather than waiting for the “red zone” to appear.
Other Useful iPhone Battery Tips
Aside from charging habits and temperature control, here are a few extra tips to ensure your iPhone battery stays healthy for the long haul.
5. Update Your iPhone Software
Apple regularly releases iOS updates, many of which include optimizations for battery performance and management. Keeping your software up to date ensures you’re benefiting from the latest battery-saving technology.
6. Turn Off Unnecessary Features
Features like Background App Refresh, location services, and push notifications are convenient but can drain your battery, especially if you have dozens of apps running them in the background. Go through your settings and turn off any non-essential features.
Tip: Check out Settings > Battery to see which apps are consuming the most power.
7. Use Low Power Mode
When your battery is low, Apple’s Low Power Mode kicks in to reduce power usage. This feature temporarily reduces background activity, like mail fetching and automatic downloads, to give you more time before needing a charge. It’s a handy tool, but don’t rely on it long-term, as certain apps and processes may not work as efficiently.
What To Do When Battery Health Declines?
So, what happens when your battery health dips below 80%? At that point, you might start noticing a few performance issues—slower load times, more frequent shutdowns, or faster battery drain. Apple recommends a battery replacement when the health drops to this level.
Luckily, Apple offers a battery replacement service for a reasonable fee, especially when compared to buying a whole new phone. If you’re not ready to upgrade your iPhone, a battery replacement can breathe new life into your device, keeping it running smoothly for years to come.
Final Thoughts: Keep Your iPhone Battery Going Strong
Your iPhone is an investment, and taking care of its battery is crucial if you want it to last. By following these tips—avoiding extreme temperatures, optimizing charging habits, using the right accessories, and turning off unnecessary features—you can maximize your battery’s lifespan and get the most out of your iPhone for years to come.
So next time you grab your charger, think twice before leaving your phone plugged in overnight or letting it die completely. These little habits make a big difference in the long run, ensuring your battery (and your iPhone) stay healthier for longer.