Former Apple Employee Shares Tips to Extend iPhone Battery Life and Avoid Costly Upgrades
By optimizing settings and considering battery replacement, users can significantly prolong their device's usability, according to an ex-Apple salesperson.
Millions of iPhone users may be able to avoid spending over $1,000 on a new device by implementing simple fixes that can extend their current phone's life and performance, according to Tyler Morgan, a former Apple sales employee. Deteriorating battery life is a primary reason customers upgrade, Morgan observed during his two years at Apple, yet this issue is often resolvable without purchasing a new phone.
Battery Replacement and Management
Morgan highlighted that replacing an aging iPhone battery can cost under $100 and make a device feel "like brand new." Apple offers this service at its retail stores, and users comfortable with electronics can even opt for a self-service repair kit. For those with AppleCare, a free battery replacement may be possible if the battery health drops to 79 percent or below.
This advice comes amidst continued scrutiny over Apple's battery performance management. The company faced controversy, dubbed 'Batterygate,' starting in 2017 when it acknowledged slowing older iPhones with degraded batteries. Apple stated these measures were to prevent unexpected shutdowns, but critics argued the company failed to be transparent, leading some users to believe an upgrade was necessary. Apple settled lawsuits related to this issue without admitting liability, asserting the software changes aimed to improve reliability and extend device life, not to force upgrades.
In response to the controversy, Apple introduced battery health monitoring and performance management features, along with more affordable battery replacement options. Morgan also noted that maintaining the battery charge between approximately 20 and 80 percent can help extend its lifespan. He added that Apple includes charging controls that can automatically stop charging at a selected limit.
Optimizing Software Settings
Beyond hardware, software settings play a crucial role in battery consumption. Morgan identified "Background App Refresh" as a significant battery drain. This feature allows apps to update content while running in the background, consuming power through Wi-Fi or mobile data. Users can manage this setting by navigating to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and either disabling it entirely, limiting it to Wi-Fi, or selecting specific apps that are permitted to refresh.
Morgan advised turning off Background App Refresh for most applications, noting that users will likely only notice a difference when apps do not automatically update in the background. This is particularly relevant when transferring data to a new phone, as many restored apps may unnecessarily consume power by refreshing in the background.
Display settings also impact battery life, especially on iPhones with OLED screens. Morgan recommended using darker wallpapers, reducing screen brightness when feasible, and disabling features like Auto-Brightness and True Tone. "The display is really a big factor," he stated. "The darker you keep your phone... that's obviously going to help."
Avoiding Other Battery Detriments
Heat is another significant factor that degrades lithium-ion batteries. Morgan suggested avoiding unnecessary overheating by not leaving phones charging for extended periods after reaching full capacity and by keeping devices out of direct sunlight. He also questioned the universal benefit of the latest iOS software updates for older devices, suggesting they might be optimized for newer hardware and potentially increase power consumption on older models, similar to installing a new operating system on an aging computer.