iOS 15 Battery Drain: 29+ Tips to Make Your Battery Last Longer

[MauiPa]

That's interesting, I have a 6S with a replaced battery as well (just over a year old battery now) and it was great right up until I installed iOS 13 last fall. It has been garbage since.

Check the energy usage, you are probably using something way more than you think you are. That is usually the case, and for some reason people don't like to do this simple step. I found the CNN app was using a lot more than I thought was right, so I deleted it and use Safari to read CNN. Also turned off a lot of background app refresh stuff I don't use don't want. Maybe you had one of those bad apps that repeatedly copies your clipboard (caught them on iOS 14)

I had no problems whatsoever, now I'm on 14 and likewise no problems, even though as beta tester I am sending lots of usage stats
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Went from IOS 12.4 which was running fine on my iPhone 7 plus to 13.5.1. This iOS is killing my battery (which has 94% health) and mail, while giving notifications, does not populate my inbox until I load the mail app and wait for it to run "checking for mail" which now takes an age. Mail is set to fetch every 15 minutes but clearly isn't.

I've spoke to Apple who asked me to:

Reset phone
Remove email accounts then add back
Reset all settings
Factory reset phone

I've done all of these things and yet issue remain. Since factory resetting and restoring my iPhone my battery life is even worse despite following every recommendation in this thread. What the hell - is this how you force me to buy a new iPhone Apple? Better yet drive me away from iOS all together because I cannot fix any of my problems with my phone now?! No way I can relay on a device that doesn't give me my email in a timely manner.

can't say the same thing happened to me, because it didn't. Check energy usage and turn off unnecessary background usage, and get rid of bad apps that steal your data

 

[jimmy_uk]

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can't say the same thing happened to me, because it didn't. Check energy usage and turn off unnecessary background usage, and get rid of bad apps that steal your data

Check, already did this. Also location services off, no Facebook app, auto update off for OS and apps, auto brightness, motion off. Always on good stable wifi.

App usage is light: some mail, safari, amazon, Spotify, BBC sounds, home & lockscreen, SwiftKey.

I am always connected to Apple watch series 0 but most thing switched off on that.

Safari and mail have the highest battery usage. I do use my phone alot as it my main surfing device but battery was alot better on 12.4 and my usage habits have not changed. On a week day where I'm mainly using my iMac for work, the iphone is draining like an android phone! I still think my issue is related to my mail problem which, like others, started with iOS13.

While your not having issues don't be too quick to dismiss others issues which may infact be OS related. I realise these devices are all setup differently so problem solving is a step by step process, but even Apple have suggested I now speak with a senior technical team as we've tried everything on their checklist.

 

[HVDynamo]

Check the energy usage, you are probably using something way more than you think you are. That is usually the case, and for some reason people don't like to do this simple step. I found the CNN app was using a lot more than I thought was right, so I deleted it and use Safari to read CNN. Also turned off a lot of background app refresh stuff I don't use don't want. Maybe you had one of those bad apps that repeatedly copies your clipboard (caught them on iOS 14)

I had no problems whatsoever, now I'm on 14 and likewise no problems, even though as beta tester I am sending lots of usage stats
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can't say the same thing happened to me, because it didn't. Check energy usage and turn off unnecessary background usage, and get rid of bad apps that steal your data

I have already done all that. It barely made a difference to it. But more to the point, I didn't really change how I used my phone from iOS 12 to iOS 13 so why should my power consumption go up so much? I get that new software gets more demanding, but I still today feel iOS 12 had a superior everything to iOS 13. There really isn't a single new feature in iOS 13 I actually care about. I wish I could go back to be honest.

 

[madrich]

Went from IOS 12.4 which was running fine on my iPhone 7 plus to 13.5.1. This iOS is killing my battery (which has 94% health) and mail, while giving notifications, does not populate my inbox until I load the mail app and wait for it to run "checking for mail" which now takes an age. Mail is set to fetch every 15 minutes but clearly isn't.

I've spoke to Apple who asked me to:

Reset phone
Remove email accounts then add back
Reset all settings
Factory reset phone

I've done all of these things and yet issue remain. Since factory resetting and restoring my iPhone my battery life is even worse despite following every recommendation in this thread. What the hell - is this how you force me to buy a new iPhone Apple? Better yet drive me away from iOS all together because I cannot fix any of my problems with my phone now?! No way I can relay on a device that doesn't give me my email in a timely manner.

Gee, if everything was running fine on your iPhone 7 with IOS 12.4, why did you upgrade or install 13.5.1? What did you expect to get from IOS 13.5.1 that you did not have previously. Just because Apple puts out a new IOS does not mean you need it.

 

[jimmy_uk]

Gee, if everything was running fine on your iPhone 7 with IOS 12.4, why did you upgrade or install 13.5.1? What did you expect to get from IOS 13.5.1 that you did not have previously. Just because Apple puts out a new IOS does not mean you need it.

Er......security updates, app updates, feature updates.

So it's my fault this iOS update is a buggy mess?

If I had a DeLorean I'd stopped myself but here we are.

 

[madrich]

Er......security updates, app updates, feature updates.

So it's my fault this iOS update is a buggy mess?

If I had a DeLorean I'd stopped myself but here we are.

The one thing I have learned from Apple updates is that you should wait and never allow an automatic installation and update. When a new operating system becomes available wait until there is sufficient feedback from other users who have already updated their devices and see what problems they are encountering; particularly the users who have the same identical device that you have in hand. Afterwards, you need to decide if want to risk having operating system changes that you may not like, and currently do not have on your device. In other words, all those "security updates, app updates, feature updates" do you really need them right now.

 

[jimmy_uk]

The one thing I have learned from Apple updates is that you should wait and never allow an automatic installation and update. When a new operating system becomes available wait until there is sufficient feedback from other users who have already updated their devices and see what problems they are encountering; particularly the users who have the same identical device that you have in hand. Afterwards, you need to decide if want to risk having operating system changes that you may not like, and currently do not have on your device. In other words, all those "security updates, app updates, feature updates" do you really need them right now.

Yea I agree. Do you think waiting from 12.4 to 13.5.1 was long enough?! That's a big gap, how much longer should you wait?

I don't have automatic updates on.
I didn't jump on iOS13 on release.

Yes hindsite is a great thing, I shouldn't have updated and I guess it's my fault for having an old phone which I cannot downgrade back because, you know, Apple.

 

[Crowbot]

The one thing I have learned from Apple updates is that you should wait and never allow an automatic installation and update. When a new operating system becomes available wait until there is sufficient feedback from other users who have already updated their devices and see what problems they are encountering; particularly the users who have the same identical device that you have in hand. Afterwards, you need to decide if want to risk having operating system changes that you may not like, and currently do not have on your device. In other words, all those "security updates, app updates, feature updates" do you really need them right now.

I guess I've been lucky so far but I can't recall ever having a problem with an Apple update, iOS or Mac. But I certainly understand why some would wait.

 

[madrich]

Yea I agree. Do you think waiting from 12.4 to 13.5.1 was long enough?! That's a big gap, how much longer should you wait?

I don't have automatic updates on.
I didn't jump on iOS13 on release.

Yes hindsite is a great thing, I shouldn't have updated and I guess it's my fault for having an old phone which I cannot downgrade back because, you know, Apple.

Whenever a device becomes dated that is more reason to be cautious about updating operating systems. there is an old saying, "If its not broken, do not fix it."

I had a MBPro early 2008 that was bricked by updating from Snow Leopard to Mavericks. The update bricked my computer!
Now, I have MBAir early 2015 that came with El Capitan. I ignored OSX upgrades until Mojave. I needed an OSX update so my other devices would be compatible with my laptop. I read and read how Mojave was less troublesome than Catalina, and finally updated, but I made sure I could go back to El Capitan, if I needed to. I will stay with Mojave until I decide to get a new laptop.

 

[Crowbot]

Apple does provide security updates for older OSs for as long as possible.

 

[C DM]

Apple does provide security updates for older OSs for as long as possible.

Less so for iOS.

 

[Crowbot]

Less so for iOS.

But they do it. Possibly there are fewer vulnerabilities in iOS. Also, penetration for new versions of iOS is remarkably high. I've seen stories about how Android users are treated in this respect and it only makes me appreciate how Apple does things.

 

[C DM]

But they do it. Possibly there are fewer vulnerabilities in iOS. Also, penetration for new versions of iOS is remarkably high. I've seen stories about how Android users are treated in this respect and it only makes me appreciate how Apple does things.

They do it, but not for everything and less often (and it's more of a recent thing too).

 

[Crowbot]

They do it, but not for everything and less often (and it's more of a recent thing too).

Right. It's the Windows vs Mac situation replicated in miniature.

 

[C DM]

Right. It's the Windows vs Mac situation replicated in miniature.

In this case it's more of a difference of macOS vs. iOS in that respect.

 

[Crowbot]

In this case it's more of a difference of macOS vs. iOS in that respect.

In a couple of years, it may not matter. All the Apple products from the Watch to the Mac will use Apple chips and essentially the same OS.

 

[jimmy_uk]

13.6 fixed nothing for me unfortunately. Can't wait for iOS14 in the hope this does anything for me. So have two options - set my phone back to factory again and not restore my backup, which would be hell after 10+ years of having my stuff setup a certain way. Second option is to vote with my feet and look at android options. 😡

 

[madrich]

13.6 fixed nothing for me unfortunately. Can't wait for iOS14 in the hope this does anything for me. So have two options - set my phone back to factory again and not restore my backup, which would be hell after 10+ years of having my stuff setup a certain way. Second option is to vote with my feet and look at android options. 😡

Sometimes, and I mean rarely, if you take your iPhone to an Apple Store Genius and you are really, really, nice they have the ability to put your phone back to your prior IOS. Make sure you have a good reason for your request.

 

[C DM]

Sometimes, and I mean rarely, if you take your iPhone to an Apple Store Genius and you are really, really, nice they have the ability to put your phone back to your prior IOS. Make sure you have a good reason for your request.

Can't really say that something like that has even really surfaced even in all kinds of discussions here (assuming we are talking about previous versions that aren't signed anymore).

 

[wanha]

(It should read)With every update iOS version Apple runs your battery down quicker on older devices so you think you need a new one quicker! But you can of course turn off half the features and make it last a year longer over the planned 2 they all last!

Is there some unicorn platform out there that adds features and functionality to devices every year without it impacting the battery that I don't know about, or what exactly are you comparing Apple to?

 

[madrich]

Can't really say that something like that has even really surfaced even in all kinds of discussions here (assuming we are talking about previous versions that aren't signed anymore).

Exactly

 

[SactoGuy18]

While they're all good suggestions, that's the reason why I keep chargers at home, in my car and at work with 12 watt/2.4 ampere charging for my iPhone 12. That way, I don't worry about running out of charge because I can easily charge my phone.

 

[Rashy]

Want to take the chance and say thank you to the author for also listing the less known and common settings. It's baffling how many of them are set to active by default, without giving the user serious real-life benefits. I have deactivated most background, push, location and analytics services; the same for 5G since it offers almost zero boost for daily tasks like browsing, messaging or youtube.

Thanks to that, I got acceptable battery life on my 12 Mini. But since I never got really warm with its tiny (especially too narrow) display, I switched to the regular 12. Now I am also really happy with the battery life. Moderate use, the mentioned tricks above, plus low-power mode enable me 2 full days of use. Hence no need for the 13 yet.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

L

I only bought my iPhone for its compass app. I don’t need it to make calls, if I need directions I’ll buy a map, I can text somebody on my old Nokia, it has predictive text. If I want to look at yelp reviews I’ll sit at my desk and pull them up on the computer. If I want to know what the weather forecast is I’ll watch the news.

why doesn’t Apple give the people what they want? A touch screen compass. That’s it! That’s all we’ve been asking for. But these detached elitist designers just want to give useless ‘feature’ after ‘feature’ when all we want to do is see which way is north.

check out my home screen. This is how you cut the crap and get productive on an iPhone.M

Man ,this is hilarious ,thank you

 

[jagooch]

The one thing I have learned from Apple updates is that you should wait and never allow an automatic installation and update. When a new operating system becomes available wait until there is sufficient feedback from other users who have already updated their devices and see what problems they are encountering; particularly the users who have the same identical device that you have in hand. Afterwards, you need to decide if want to risk having operating system changes that you may not like, and currently do not have on your device. In other words, all those "security updates, app updates, feature updates" do you really need them right now.

This has saved me a lot of trouble in the past. I remember preparing to upgrade to a new version of OS, but on these very forums, I discovered my version of Parallels would stop working if I upgraded.


So I held off on the upgrade until I could move my Parallels installation to another Mac that I decided to keep on the old version of MacOS.

There were other changes, like relocating certain application folders, that I discovered and was prepared for before I upgraded as well.

Another issue that I haven't found a way to prevent is that my /etc/auto_master file gets overwritten with every macOS update. My work around is to keep a backup of it, and I restore it after every minor/major upgrade to keep autofs working.