Your iPhone is your lifeline—whether you’re navigating a new city, streaming music, or staying connected with loved ones. But a drained battery can leave you stranded at the worst possible moment. With iPhones becoming more powerful each year, battery management remains a critical skill for users in 2025. This guide will walk you through practical, actionable steps to maximize your iPhone’s battery life, ensuring your device lasts longer between charges. From tweaking settings to adopting smarter habits, we’ve got you covered.
Why iPhone Battery Life Matters
Apple designs iPhones with impressive battery efficiency, but daily usage—like gaming, video streaming, or GPS navigation—can drain power quickly. Over time, battery health naturally degrades due to charge cycles and age. According to Apple’s official battery guide, iPhone batteries are designed to retain up to 80% of their original capacity after 500 complete charge cycles. By optimizing your usage, you can stretch each charge further and prolong your battery’s overall lifespan.
Top Tips to Maximize Your iPhone’s Battery Life
Optimize Your Settings for Efficiency
The easiest way to save battery is by adjusting your iPhone’s settings. Small changes can make a big difference over the course of a day.
- Enable Low Power Mode: Go to Settings > Battery and toggle on Low Power Mode. This reduces background activity, lowers screen brightness, and limits animations. It’s a lifesaver when your battery dips below 20%.
- Adjust Screen Brightness: Lower your screen brightness manually or enable Auto-Brightness (Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size). Bright screens are a major battery drain.
- Turn Off Unused Features: Disable Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or AirDrop when not in use (Settings > Bluetooth/Wi-Fi). These features constantly search for connections, consuming power.
- Limit Background App Refresh: Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn it off for apps that don’t need real-time updates, like games or static apps.
Manage Your Apps Wisely
Apps can be sneaky battery hogs. Identifying and managing high-drain apps is key to extending your iPhone’s runtime.
- Check Battery Usage: Navigate to Settings > Battery to see which apps are using the most power. Social media apps like Instagram or TikTok often top the list due to constant refreshing and video playback.
- Close Unused Apps: Double-tap the Home button (or swipe up on newer models) to view open apps, then swipe up to close them. While iOS manages background apps well, closing heavy apps can help.
- Update Apps and iOS: Developers often release updates to improve efficiency. Keep your apps and iOS updated via Settings > General > Software Update. For instance, iOS 18.2 in 2025 introduced better battery optimization features, as noted by MacRumors.
Be Smart About Connectivity
Your iPhone’s connectivity settings can significantly impact battery life, especially when traveling or in areas with poor signal.
- Use Wi-Fi Over Cellular: Wi-Fi consumes less power than cellular data. Connect to trusted Wi-Fi networks whenever possible. If you’re in a public space, consider using a VPN for security—NordVPN is a reliable choice for encrypting your connection.
- Turn Off 5G When Not Needed: 5G offers faster speeds but can drain your battery faster. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options and switch to LTE if 5G isn’t essential.
- Enable Airplane Mode in Low-Signal Areas: When your iPhone struggles to find a signal, it works harder and burns more battery. Turn on Airplane Mode (Control Center) in spotty areas like rural regions or subways.
Control Notifications and Widgets
Notifications and widgets keep you updated but can also sap your battery by waking your screen and running background processes.
- Limit Notifications: Go to Settings > Notifications and disable alerts for non-essential apps. Fewer notifications mean fewer screen wake-ups.
- Remove Unnecessary Widgets: Long-press your home screen, tap the “-” icon on widgets you don’t need, and remove them. Weather or news widgets often refresh frequently, draining power.
Adopt Better Charging Habits
How you charge your iPhone affects both daily performance and long-term battery health.
- Use Optimized Battery Charging: Enable this feature (Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging) to reduce battery aging. It learns your charging routine and delays charging past 80% until you need it.
- Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Apple recommends keeping your iPhone between 32°F and 95°F. Extreme heat or cold can degrade battery performance, as explained on Apple’s support page.
- Charge Smartly: Don’t let your battery drop to 0% often, and avoid keeping it at 100% for long periods. Aim to keep it between 20% and 80% for optimal health.
Use Accessories and Features Strategically
Accessories and certain iPhone features can either help or hurt your battery life, depending on how you use them.
- Disable Dynamic Wallpapers: Live wallpapers and dynamic backgrounds look cool but drain battery with their animations. Switch to a static wallpaper (Settings > Wallpaper).
- Limit Location Services: Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and set apps to “While Using” or “Never” unless they need constant tracking, like navigation apps.
- Use Power-Saving Accessories: If you use wireless earbuds or a smartwatch, disconnect them when not in use. For example, AirPods can drain your iPhone if left connected unnecessarily.
Monitor Battery Health and Know When to Replace
Over time, your iPhone’s battery capacity will naturally decrease. Monitoring its health can help you decide if it’s time for a replacement.
- Check Battery Health: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging to see your battery’s maximum capacity. If it’s below 80%, you might notice reduced performance.
- Replace When Necessary: If your battery health is critically low, consider a replacement. Apple offers battery replacement services, and third-party options are available too. CNET provides a detailed guide on when and how to replace your iPhone battery.
Bonus Tip: Secure Your Connection While Traveling
When traveling, you’ll often rely on public Wi-Fi, which can be risky. Using a VPN not only secures your data but also helps manage battery usage by reducing unnecessary network activity. ExpressVPN is a top choice for iPhone users, offering fast, secure connections with minimal battery impact.
Maximizing your iPhone’s battery life in 2025 doesn’t require drastic changes—just smart adjustments. By optimizing settings, managing apps, controlling connectivity, and adopting better charging habits, you can keep your iPhone powered throughout the day. Regularly check your battery health, and don’t hesitate to replace it if needed. With these tips, you’ll spend less time tethered to a charger and more time enjoying your iPhone’s features, whether you’re at home or on the go.
