Many iPhone users face the recurring decision of whether to spend over $1,000 on a new device, often driven by deteriorating battery performance. However, a former Apple employee suggests that significant cost savings are possible through simple maintenance and setting adjustments, allowing users to extend the life of their current iPhones.
Tyler Morgan, who worked in Apple sales for two years, explained that replacing a failing battery can cost around $80 and make a device feel "like brand new." Apple offers this service at its retail stores, and for those comfortable with electronics, a self-service repair kit is also available directly from the company. Customers with AppleCare may even qualify for a free battery replacement if their battery health drops to 79 percent or lower.
This advice comes years after Apple settled lawsuits related to slowing older iPhones, a controversy dubbed "Batterygate." In 2017, Apple acknowledged it had reduced the performance of some older iPhones with degraded batteries, stating it was to prevent unexpected shutdowns. Critics argued that Apple failed to adequately inform users, leading some to believe a new device was necessary instead of a battery replacement. Apple maintained that these software changes were intended to prolong device usability, not to force upgrades.
In response to the backlash, Apple introduced features like Battery Health and Performance Management, along with lower-cost battery replacements, to provide users with more information about their device's battery condition and its impact on performance.
Software Adjustments for Battery Savings
Beyond hardware, Morgan highlighted several software settings that can significantly impact battery life. The "Background App Refresh" feature, which allows apps to update content periodically while running in the background, is a major battery drain for many users. Morgan noted that this setting is often enabled for numerous apps that are rarely used, consuming power even when the apps are not actively open. Users can manage this feature by navigating to Settings > General > Background App Refresh, where they can disable it entirely, limit it to Wi-Fi only, or select specific apps that are permitted to refresh in the background.
Display settings also play a crucial role. Morgan recommended using darker wallpaper, reducing screen brightness when possible, and disabling features like Auto-Brightness and True Tone, especially on iPhones with OLED screens. Keeping the phone's display darker can contribute to battery conservation.
Battery Health and Longevity
Morgan also advised on best practices for maintaining battery health. He suggested avoiding unnecessary overheating by not leaving the phone to charge for extended periods after it reaches full capacity and keeping it out of direct sunlight during warm weather. For optimal battery longevity, he recommended keeping the iPhone's charge between 20 and 80 percent, rather than repeatedly charging to 100 percent or allowing the battery to fully deplete. Apple's built-in charging controls can assist with this by allowing users to set a custom charging limit.
Morgan also expressed skepticism about the necessity of installing every software update on older devices, suggesting that some updates may be optimized for newer hardware and could potentially increase power consumption on older models, similar to installing a new operating system on an aging computer.