Skip to main content
Tech Radar TechRadar the technology experts
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
Asia
flag of Singapore
Singapore
Europe
flag of Danmark
Danmark
flag of Suomi
Suomi
flag of Norge
Norge
flag of Sverige
Sverige
flag of UK
UK
flag of Italia
Italia
flag of Nederland
Nederland
flag of België (Nederlands)
België (Nederlands)
flag of France
France
flag of Deutschland
Deutschland
flag of España
España
North America
flag of US (English)
US (English)
flag of Canada
Canada
flag of México
México
Australasia
flag of Australia
Australia
flag of New Zealand
New Zealand
  • Phones
  • Computing
  • TVs
  • AI
  • Streaming
  • Health
  • Audio
  • VPN
  • More
    • Cameras
    • Home
    • News
    • Reviews
    • Opinion
    • How to
    • Versus
    • Deals
    • Coupons
    • Best
Tech Radar Pro
Tech Radar Gaming
Trending
  • Amazon Prime Day
  • Back to school
  • Nintendo Switch 2
  • Best VPN
  • ChatGPT
  • NYT Wordle today
  • Best laptop
  • Best web hosting
Recommended reading
iPhone 16 Pro USB-C port
Phones 5 ways to optimize your phone's battery health
A battery-saving setting shown on a Realme GT5 Pro.
Android Quick! Disable these Android features to boost your battery life
Smartphone battery low
Phones You freak out when battery life hits 38%, but here's how to extend it and calm the heck down
Apple iPhone 16 Plus Review
iPhone The iPhone 17 Air may have a small battery, but l don't think you'll need to worry
Two hands holding the iPhone 16 Pro showing its cameras
Artificial Intelligence Your iPhone battery could get a big boost soon thanks to iOS 19 and Apple Intelligence – and that's good news for the iPhone 17 Air
iPhone accessories displayed in a collage
iPhone 5 Apple iPhone accessories I can’t live without
Apple iPhone 16 Review
iPhone New iPhone 17 Air leak hints at how the super-slim phone might solve its potential battery life issues
  1. Phones
  2. iPhone

How to improve iPhone battery life

How-to
By MacFormat published 7 January 2016

Get a battery boost

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

How to improve iPhone battery life

How to improve iPhone battery life

Your iPhone can do so much for you, it will quickly become indispensable. But frequently checking your emails, making FaceTime calls and watching streaming video all inevitably sap the iPhone battery.

This isn't a problem if you're somewhere you can plug in your iPhone for a recharge, but all too often you'll start seeing low battery alerts on your iPhone's screen when you're far from a socket. But this doesn't mean there's nothing you can do!

iOS 9 has a new low-power mode, which detects when the iPhone battery is at 20% of its power, and alerts you to the fact. If activated, it will halt Mail fetch, background app refresh, automatic downloads and visual effects to help eke out the last bit of power.

On top of that you should turn off power-hungry features such as 3G/4G networking, Bluetooth and Location Services, and stop using streaming services.

Other background services that periodically check for new content, such as Facebook and Twitter, can also be switched off.

Finally, reduce the screen brightness as low as you can comfortably go, and set the screen to dim after a few minutes' inactivity – you'll be amazed at the difference this can make.

Page 1 of 7
Page 1 of 7
1. Low Power Mode

1. Low Power Mode

When your iPhone battery level falls to 20% iOS 9 prompts you to enter Low Power Mode. If you accept it, it will pause Mail fetching, stop automatic downloads and reduce visual effects that drain the battery.

And it's a useful reminder to either head for a power socket or start turning off other power-hungry features…

Page 2 of 7
Page 2 of 7
2. Stop networking

2. Stop networking

Bluetooth is a big battery drain, so if you're not actually using a Bluetooth earpiece or other device, swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open Control Centre and switch it off.

Even if you're using Bluetooth, switch AirDrop off – broadcasting your availability to the world costs power, so keep it off until you need it.

Page 3 of 7
Page 3 of 7
3. Dim the screen

3. Dim the screen

The screen backlight is one of the main drains on the battery. So tap Settings > Display & Brightness and switch on Auto-Brightness; the screen will then adjust itself on-the-fly for the conditions.

If juice is really low, open Control Centre and drag the brightness slider down as low as you can while keeping things readable.

Page 4 of 7
Page 4 of 7
4. Switch off 3G/4G

4. Switch off 3G/4G

It's far more power efficient (not to mention cost efficient) to use Wi-Fi, where available, than 3G or 4G to get online. To switch off Mobile Data, go to Settings > Mobile and toggle the Mobile Data switch to off.

Email and web browsing will now only take place using the more battery-friendly Wi-Fi.

Page 5 of 7
Page 5 of 7
5. Stop 3G sync

5. Stop 3G sync

Even if you want to use mobile data to browse the web, it's an idea to go to Settings > Videos and make sure that Show iTunes Purchases is not enabled.

If it's enabled your iPhone will stream videos from your iTunes account as well as playing those already stored on the device, which will drain your battery.

Page 6 of 7
Page 6 of 7
6. Location Services

6. Location Services

Using various power-hungry methods, including GPS and Bluetooth, your iPhone can pinpoint its location. To save power, disable this in Settings > Privacy > Location Services. (Note that location-based apps such as Weather or Maps may have problems.) Find My Phone will override this if you need to locate a lost phone.

  • Enjoyed this article? Get more tutorials, guides, and tips on how to get the most from your Apple devices inside MacFormat. Take advantage of an exclusive offer in our sampler today.
Page 7 of 7
Page 7 of 7
TOPICS
Apple
MacFormat
See more Phone How Tos
Read more
iPhone 16 Pro USB-C port
5 ways to optimize your phone's battery health
A battery-saving setting shown on a Realme GT5 Pro.
Quick! Disable these Android features to boost your battery life
Smartphone battery low
You freak out when battery life hits 38%, but here's how to extend it and calm the heck down
Apple iPhone 16 Plus Review
The iPhone 17 Air may have a small battery, but l don't think you'll need to worry
Two hands holding the iPhone 16 Pro showing its cameras
Your iPhone battery could get a big boost soon thanks to iOS 19 and Apple Intelligence – and that's good news for the iPhone 17 Air
iPhone accessories displayed in a collage
5 Apple iPhone accessories I can’t live without
Latest in iPhone
Two hands holding an iPhone that shows the Siri voice assistant being activated
Hurry! It's your last chance to claim in Apple's $95 million Siri settlement – here's how to do it
Apple iPhone 16 Pro REVIEW
Apple could move the logo on the iPhone 17 Pro, and that's a bigger deal that you might realise
Apple iPhone 16 Pro REVIEW
iPhone 17 Air leaked specs suggest it's likely to beat the S25 Edge in one key way – and lose out in another
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max REVIEW
The foldable iPhone edges closer to reality, according to a new leak – but there's bad news about the foldable iPad
Apple iPhone 16 Review
This ‘meh’ iPhone 17 Air camera tip might give us more insight than meets the eye
Apple iPhone 16 Review
If the iPhone 17 misses this display upgrade once again, I've had enough
Latest in How Tos
Henry Lloyd-Hughes as DS Nathan Rose in Ragdoll
How to watch Ragdoll on BBC iPlayer (it's free)
Novak Djokovic plays a forehand at Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Evans vs Djokovic online: live stream Wimbledon 2025 tennis FREE
Google Chrome logo on desktop and mobile
How to private browse in Chrome on Windows, Android and ChromeOS
The ball for Women's Euro 2025
How to watch Women's Euro 2025: live stream soccer options, TV channels, watch for FREE, Day 2 fixtures
Coco Gauff practicing for Wimbledon 2025
How to watch Yastremska vs Gauff at Wimbledon 2025 on BBC iPlayer (it's free)
Jamie Smith and Joe Root celebrate after walking off unbeaten in their test victory against India at Headingley, Leeds.
How to watch England vs India 2nd Test: Live stream cricket online – India 587, England 77-3 after record-breaking Gill double hundred on Day 2
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. 1
    I tested the Nebula X1, and it's one of the brightest and best portable projectors available
  2. 2
    Chinese vendor launches liquid-cooled mini PC powered by AMD's most powerful AI processor, with a built-in 400W PSU
  3. 3
    I wouldn’t look for Prime Day iPhone deals, but a Prime Day AirPods sale is guaranteed
  4. 4
    The best early Prime Day deal? A free 6-month Amazon Prime membership for students
  5. 5
    Now might be the perfect time to buy an AMD RX 9070 XT, as retailer rumors suggest it's hit a low for the year

TechRadar is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Web notifications
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...