The frequency at which Americans check their phones every day has made battery longevity an essential part of the smartphone user experience. It’s no secret that the iPhone is a popular choice among consumers, but there’s always been room for improvement in battery life.
To combat this issue, former Apple sales employee Tyler Morgan has offered several tips for iPhone users to maximize their devices’ battery life. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore Morgan’s advice in depth, providing you with the best practices for extending your iPhone’s battery life and keeping your device running smoothly.
Brightness and background app refresh
One of the most effective ways to conserve battery life, according to Morgan, is by adjusting screen brightness and turning off background app refresh. This simple change can lead to significant improvements in battery longevity. It’s also worth considering disabling push notifications and location services for non-essential apps, as these can be major battery drainers that impact usage time between charges.
Charging habits and battery degradation
Morgan advises against charging an iPhone to 100% or leaving it plugged in overnight. Consistently reaching full charge can cause the battery to degrade chemically, negatively affecting battery life and overall phone performance over time. Instead, he recommends stopping at 80%, and avoiding draining the battery completely. Periodic charging throughout the day is optimal for maintaining battery health.
Disabling background app activity
Users can disable background app activity by navigating to ‘Settings,’ then ‘General,’ and selecting ‘Background App Refresh.’ Disabling this feature prevents apps from using valuable battery life and consuming unnecessary data in the background, helping to improve overall device performance and extend battery life.
Customizing location services settings
Location services for unneeded apps can be turned off by going to ‘Settings,’ then ‘Privacy and Security,’ and selecting ‘Location Services.’ Users can then decide which apps are allowed to access location services and when. Customizing these settings reduces the risk of unauthorized access to location data and allows users greater control over their privacy.
Siri functionality and privacy concerns
For those who don’t frequently use their mobile personal assistant, Morgan recommends disabling the “Hey, Siri” function under ‘Siri and Search.’ Turning off “Hey, Siri” conserves battery life and protects privacy from unintentional activation. Users can still access their personal assistant by tapping on the Siri icon when needed, maintaining control over when Siri is listening.
Reducing motion effects
Selecting ‘Reduce Motion’ under ‘Accessibility’ and ‘Motion’ helps conserve battery life by reducing animations and motion effects across the device. Limiting unnecessary visuals can lead to noticeable battery life improvements throughout the day.
Other battery-saving measures
Morgan further suggests deactivating automatic updates, lowering brightness, and turning off Bluetooth when not needed to conserve battery life. Although these steps might detract slightly from the overall phone experience, they’re critical for users focused on extending battery life. Limiting the use of location services, disabling push notifications for non-essential apps, closing background apps, and keeping software up-to-date can also contribute toward preserving battery life without significantly impacting the user experience.
Additional tips and tricks for iPhone users
Morgan also shared some handy iPhone tips, such as quickly activating the video feature in the camera app by pressing and holding the shutter button, reducing the time it takes to capture unexpected moments. Customizing the Control Center with frequently used settings and shortcuts enables quicker, more hassle-free navigation on iPhones.
One-handed keyboard option for enhanced convenience
Another useful tip is to enable the one-handed keyboard option by pressing and holding the globe symbol at the bottom left of the keyboard. This feature allows users to type efficiently using just one hand, making it perfect for those with limited mobility or individuals multitasking on the go. The one-handed keyboard option can be switched to either the left or right side of the screen for additional accessibility and convenience.
First Reported on: nypost.com
FAQs
How can I extend my iPhone’s battery life?
There are several ways to optimize battery usage, including adjusting screen brightness, disabling background app refresh, limiting push notifications and location services for non-essential apps, and modifying charging habits.
What is the optimal charging method for an iPhone?
Avoid charging your iPhone to 100% or leaving it plugged in overnight. Stop charging at around 80% and try to charge periodically throughout the day. This helps maintain battery health and avoid degradation.
How can I disable background app activity?
Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘General,’ and select ‘Background App Refresh.’ Disabling this feature prevents apps from using unnecessary battery life and data in the background.
How do I customize location services settings?
Navigate to ‘Settings,’ followed by ‘Privacy and Security,’ and select ‘Location Services.’ From there, you can choose which apps are allowed to access location services and when.
Should I disable Siri to save battery life and protect privacy?
If you don’t often use Siri, it’s recommended to disable the “Hey, Siri” function. This saves battery life and prevents unintended Siri activation while still allowing manual Siri access through the Siri icon.
How can I reduce motion effects on my iPhone?
Select ‘Reduce Motion’ under ‘Accessibility’ and ‘Motion’ to conserve battery life by minimizing animations and motion effects on your device.
What are other battery-saving measures for iPhones?
Deactivate automatic updates, lower brightness, and turn off Bluetooth when not in use. Limiting the use of location services, push notifications, and background apps, as well as keeping software up-to-date, also contributes to battery preservation.
Are there any handy iPhone tips for convenience?
Quickly activate the video feature in the camera by holding the shutter button and customize the Control Center for easy access to frequently used settings and shortcuts.
How do I enable the one-handed keyboard option?
Press and hold the globe symbol at the bottom left of the keyboard to enable the one-handed keyboard option, making it easier to type with one hand. This feature can be adjusted for left or right-handed use.
