With each new iPhone release and operating system update, complaints about battery life often follow. Despite Apple’s efforts to improve battery performance across the iPhone 16 lineup, some users still experience issues. These problems may stem from new features or bugs yet to be addressed. Here are several useful tips to help you extend your iPhone’s battery life.
1. Turn Off iPhone Mirroring
iPhone Mirroring lets you control your iPhone from your Mac and receive iPhone notifications on your Mac’s display. While it might seem like this wouldn’t affect your iPhone’s battery, the constant connection can drain power. If you’re not using this feature often, turning it off could help.
Go to Settings > General > AirPlay and Continuity. Tap Edit, and remove the Macs your iPhone connects to. You can also swipe to delete a Mac from the list.
2. Remove Home and Lock Screen Widgets
Widgets, though handy, can use more battery. If you’re not frequently using certain widgets, it’s worth removing them.
For Home Screen widgets, long press on the widget and tap the “-” button to remove it.
On the Lock Screen, you can create a widget-free option to use when you need to save battery. Just long press on the Lock Screen, choose “Customize” or the “+” button to set up multiple screens, one without widgets.
3. Use Dark Mode and Dark Mode Icons
Using Dark Mode on OLED iPhones can save battery power, especially outdoors. A Purdue study found that Dark Mode can save up to 47% of your battery.
You can set Dark Mode for both the display and app icons in Settings > Display & Brightness.
4. Optimize Control Center Settings
The Control Center on iOS 18 is customizable, and some controls, like the animated Music Control Center, can impact battery life.
Reduce animations by removing unused controls. Long press on the Control Center and tap the “-” button to remove them.
5. Remove Lock Screen Camera and Flashlight Buttons
Accidentally activating the Camera or Flashlight from the Lock Screen can drain your battery. To remove these buttons, long press on the Lock Screen, tap Customize, and then press the “-” button next to the icons.
6. Disable ProMotion Display
iPhone 16 Pro models feature a 120Hz ProMotion display, which can use more battery than a 60Hz display. You can limit the refresh rate by enabling Low Power Mode or going to Settings > Accessibility > Motion and toggling on Limit Frame Rate.
7. Turn Off Live Activities
Live Activities, which show ongoing notifications on the Lock Screen or Dynamic Island, can contribute to battery drain.
To turn them off, go to Settings> Face ID & Passcode, enter your passcode, and toggle off Live Activities. For more control, disable Live Activities within individual apps in Settings.
8. Turn Off Proximity AirDrop Sharing
Proximity-based AirDrop triggers when two iPhones running iOS 17 or later are near each other, which can drain your battery.
You can disable this feature in Settings> General> AirDrop and toggle off Bringing Devices Together.
9. Use Offline Maps
Downloading maps for offline use can save battery, especially in areas with spotty cellular service. Search for a location in Apple Maps, tap the download button, and choose the area you want to download.
10. Disable Haptic Keyboard Feedback
Apple’s haptic keyboard feedback feature, while providing a satisfying typing experience, can drain your battery.
Turn it off in Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback, and toggle off Haptic.
A Note on Apple Intelligence
Starting with iOS 18.1, Apple will introduce Apple Intelligence, including Writing Tools and a new Siri design. However, these AI-based features may be GPU-intensive, potentially impacting battery life depending on how frequently they are used.
iOS 18 Battery Drain Complaints
Many iPhone 16 users have reported battery drain issues with iOS 18. Apple will likely address any bugs in future updates, but for now, these tips can help you get through the day.
Final Thoughts
Balancing battery life with features can be tricky, but by adjusting settings, you can extend your iPhone’s battery. Tailor these tips to fit your usage and preserve battery life, whether you have an iPhone 16 or an older model.
