5 Proven Steps to Solve Battery Draining Issue on iPhone 14
Is your iPhone 14 battery draining faster than you'd like? You're not alone. Many users experience battery drain, especially when using new features or with demanding apps.
Various factors can cause battery use spikes related to software and hardware. Here are some common culprits:
Key Takeaways
- Understand that various software and hardware factors can contribute to iPhone 14 battery draining issues, such as demanding apps, outdated software, degraded battery, extreme temperatures, and faulty hardware.
- Adopt smart charging practices to maintain your iPhone's battery health, including leveraging optimized battery charging, avoiding temperature extremes, using certified chargers, and maintaining a healthy charge level.
- Reduce battery drain by managing background app refresh, location services, and push notifications effectively. Force quit unnecessary apps and prioritize Wi-Fi over cellular data.
- Adjust screen brightness, enable auto-brightness, shorten screen timeout, and reduce motion effects to conserve battery power without compromising user experience.
- Activate Low Power Mode, prioritize Wi-Fi over cellular data, close unnecessary background apps, disable Bluetooth when not in use, monitor battery usage, and enable Airplane Mode in low-signal areas to maximize battery life.
- Streamline push emails and notifications, limit unnecessary location access, reduce visual effects and widgets, and keep your iPhone updated with the latest iOS version to further optimize battery performance.
Software:
Apps with High Background Activity: Certain apps, especially those that rely on location services, push notifications, or frequent data updates, can drain your battery in the background even when you're not actively using them.
Outdated Software: Older versions of your phone's operating system might not have the latest battery optimizations. Updating to the newest version can improve battery life.
Corrupted App or Software: In rare cases, a corrupted app or software issue on your phone can lead to an unusual battery drain. Rebooting your device or uninstalling suspicious apps might help.
Hardware:
Degraded Battery: As batteries age, their charge capacity decreases. If your phone is a few years old, the battery itself might be the reason for shorter battery life and sudden spikes in usage.
Extreme Temperatures: Both hot and cold temperatures can negatively impact battery performance. Avoid leaving your phone in direct sunlight or icy environments.
Faulty Hardware: While less common, hardware issues like a failing charging port or internal component can cause battery drain.
Other Potential Causes:
Poor Cellular Signal: Poor cellular reception may cause your phone to exert more effort to sustain a connection, leading to higher battery consumption.
Using Features Constantly: Bluetooth, GPS, and screen recording consume battery power. Regularly using these features can contribute to spikes in battery usage.
But don't despair! You can take steps to optimize your iPhone's battery life and get the most out of your charge.
Here are five steps you can take to improve your iPhone 14's battery life:
1. Charge Smarter, Not Harder: Maximize Your iPhone Battery Life
Regarding the iPhone 14 battery's health, how you charge it can significantly impact its lifespan. Here's a breakdown of the "Charge Smarter, Not Harder" approach:
Leverage Optimized Battery Charging:
This built-in feature learns your charging routine and delays the final 20% charge until just before you typically unplug your phone. This reduces your battery's time at peak capacity, slowing the aging process. (Settings > Battery > Battery Health).
Avoid Temperature Extremes:
Extreme cold and hot temperatures can negatively impact battery performance. Don't leave your phone in direct sunlight or icy environments.
Choose the Right Charger:
Stick to Apple-certified chargers and cables. Low-quality chargers might not regulate voltage properly, leading to overheating and potential battery damage. Consider using a certified power bank for on-the-go charging.
Maintain a Healthy Charge Level:
Ideally, keep your battery level between 20% and 80% most of the time. Avoid letting it completely drain to zero, and don't constantly top it up to 100%. This minimizes stress on the battery.
Strategize Overnight Charging:
If you typically charge your phone overnight, consider enabling "Optimized Battery Charging" (mentioned above). It will delay the final charge until you usually wake up, reducing the time spent at total capacity.
Before long-term storage, ensure your iPhone is charged to approximately 50% and keep it in an excellent, dry location to prevent complete battery drainage, which can be detrimental.
2. Minimize Background Activity: Keep Your iPhone Battery Fresh
Many iPhone features operate in the background, even when you're not actively using them. These activities can silently drain your battery. Here's how to minimize background activity and maximize your battery life:
Manage Background App Refresh:
This feature allows apps to update content in the background, ensuring you see the latest information when you open it. However, it can be a battery hog, especially for non-essential apps. Here's how to manage it:
- Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
- Choose from three options:
- Off: Disables background refresh for all apps. This is great for maximizing battery life, but you might miss some updates.
- Wi-Fi & Cellular Data: This option allows apps to refresh in the background on Wi-Fi and cellular data. It is ideal for apps that need constant updates (e.g., messaging apps).
- Wi-Fi Only: Allow apps to refresh only when connected to Wi-Fi—a good balance for most apps, reducing cellular data usage and battery drain.
Alternatively, customize background refresh for individual apps. Toggle the switch off for apps you don't need constant updates from (e.g., games and social media apps you don't check frequently).
Restrict Location Services:
GPS and location services are essential for some apps like maps or ride-sharing. However, many apps don't require constant location access. Here's how to manage it:
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services.
- Please review the list of apps and their location access permissions.
- Choose the appropriate level for each app:
- Always: Allows location access even when the app isn't in use. Only select this for crucial apps.
- While Using the App: This option grants access only when you're actively using the app. It's ideal for most location-based services.
- Never: Disables app location access entirely. Use this for apps that don't need your location at all.
Force Quit Unnecessary Apps:
When you close an app, it might still run in the background. Here's how to indeed shut them down:
- Double-press the home button (iPhone 8 or earlier) or swipe up from the bottom on iPhone X or later. This brings up the app switcher.
- Swipe up on the preview of the app you want to close to force quit it.
Disable Push Notifications for less critical apps. Constant notification alerts can drain your battery. Go to Settings > Notifications and customize notification settings for each app.
3. Optimize Display Settings: Get More Out of Your iPhone Battery
Your iPhone's bright and beautiful display is a joy to behold, but it can also be a significant battery drain. Here's how to adjust your display settings to optimize battery life without sacrificing too much viewing experience:
Tame the Brightness:
The display is one of the biggest battery consumers. Reducing the screen brightness is a simple yet effective way to extend battery life. Here's how:
Use the Control Center: Swipe down from the top-right corner (iPhone X or later) or swipe up from the bottom (iPhone 8 or earlier) to access the Control Center. Locate the brightness slider and adjust it to a comfortable level.
Enable Auto-Brightness: This feature automatically adjusts the screen brightness based on the ambient light. It's a convenient way to ensure good visibility while minimizing brightness when possible. (Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Auto-Brightness)
Shorten Screen Timeout:
The longer your screen stays on after inactivity, the more battery it consumes. Here's how to adjust the auto-lock time:
Go to Settings > Display & Brightness.
Under Auto-Lock, choose a shorter time interval (e.g., 30 seconds or 1 minute) for the screen to turn off automatically when not in use.
Reduce Motion Effects:
Dynamic wallpapers and motion effects, like app icons jiggling when you move your phone, add a touch of visual flair. However, these features require additional processing power and can drain your battery. Here's how to disable them:
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion.
Toggle off "Reduce Motion" to turn off parallax effects and animations.
Consider setting a static wallpaper instead of a dynamic one.
4. Manage Power Consumption Proactively: Get the Most Out of Your iPhone Battery
Your iPhone's battery life is precious, and being proactive about managing power consumption can make a significant difference. Here are some strategies to get the most out of your battery:
Leverage Low Power Mode:
This built-in feature temporarily reduces power consumption by limiting background activity, dimming the display, and throttling processor performance. It's a lifesaver when your battery runs low and you must extend it for a crucial task. Here's how to activate it:
Go to Settings > Battery.
Toggle on "Low Power Mode." You'll see a notification indicating the estimated time your battery life will be extended.
Prioritize Wi-Fi Over Cellular Data:
Cellular data usage consumes more battery than Wi-Fi. Whenever possible, connect to a Wi-Fi network to conserve battery life. Here's how to manage your connection:
Open the Settings app.
Tap on "Wi-Fi" and connect to a suitable network.
Alternatively, swipe down from the top-right corner (iPhone X or later) or from the bottom (iPhone 8 or earlier) to access the Control Center. Tap on the Wi-Fi icon to connect or disconnect.
Close Unnecessary Background Apps:
Even when you close an app, it might still run in the background, consuming resources and draining your battery. Here's how to indeed shut them down:
Double-press the home button (iPhone 8 or earlier) or swipe up from the bottom on iPhone X or later.
This brings up the app switcher. Swipe up on the preview of the app you want to close to force quit it.
Disable Bluetooth When Not in Use:
Bluetooth connectivity helps connect to headphones or other devices, but keeping it constant can drain your battery. Please turn it off when you're not using it. Here's how:
Open the Settings app.
Tap on "Bluetooth" and toggle it off. Alternatively, access the Control Center and tap on the Bluetooth icon to turn it off.
Monitor Battery Usage:
Your iPhone provides insights into which apps are consuming the most battery power. This information helps you identify potential culprits and take action. Here's how to access this data:
Go to Settings > Battery.
You'll see a list of apps and the percentage of battery they've consumed. You can also view detailed information by tapping on an app.
Enable Airplane Mode in low-signal areas. Constantly searching for a weak signal can drain your battery quickly. Turning on Airplane Mode disables cellular data, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, significantly reducing battery consumption. Please turn it off when you're back in a good coverage area.
5. Fine-Tune Additional Settings: Utilize Every Drop Out of Your iPhone Battery
While the core settings we've covered already significantly impact battery life, there are additional optimizations you can make to squeeze every drop out of your iPhone's battery. Here are some lesser-known tweaks to consider:
Manage Push Emails and Notifications:
- Reduce Push Email Frequency: Textually fetching in the background can drain your battery. Consider setting your email accounts to fetch data manually or at longer intervals. (Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data)
- Minimize Unnecessary Notifications: A constant barrage of notifications can distract and drain your battery. Go to Settings > Notifications and customize notification settings for each app—Disable notifications for non-essential apps or choose less battery-intensive notification styles (banners instead of sounds).
Streamline Location Services:
- Limit Location Access for Unnecessary Apps: Many apps request location access they don't truly need. Review your location services permissions and restrict access for apps that don't require constant GPS tracking. (Settings > Privacy > Location Services)
- Utilize "While Using the App" Permission: Consider the "While Using the App" permission level for apps that genuinely need location services. This allows access only when you're actively using the app, minimizing background location tracking.
Reduce Visual Effects and Widgets:
- Disable Dynamic Wallpapers: Live wallpapers add a touch of personality but consume more battery. Opt for a static wallpaper instead.
- Minimize Widgets on Today View: Widgets can refresh frequently, draining the battery. To remove or limit the number of widgets displayed, swipe right on the home screen, scroll to the bottom, and tap Edit.
Leverage iOS Updates:
- Keep Your iPhone Updated: Apple regularly releases iOS updates that include optimizations for battery life. Keeping your iPhone updated with the latest version ensures you benefit from these improvements. (Settings > General > Software Update)
Final Thoughts
If you're frustrated by your iPhone's battery draining faster than ever, you're not alone! Many users experience battery drain, especially with demanding apps or as their hardware ages.
But before resigning to constantly searching for a charger, let's debunk some myths. A dying battery isn't always due to hardware issues. Simple tweaks to your iPhone's screen settings, background activity, and power management features can significantly improve battery life.
By following these tips, you can extend your iPhone's battery life and use it to its full potential. So, let's take charge and keep our iPhones powered up for the adventures ahead!
Still, Battling Battery Drain?
If you've tried these tips and your iPhone's battery is still draining rapidly, it might be time for a replacement. At iFixScreens, we offer a fast, affordable, and reliable battery replacement service for all iPhone models. Our expert technicians use only high-quality parts and can typically complete the repair within the same day.
FAQ's
Q. How do I know if my iPhone 14 battery drains too quickly?
A. If you notice that your iPhone 14 battery drains faster than usual and you must charge it multiple times a day, it could be a sign of a battery drain issue.
Q. What are some common causes of battery drain on iPhone 14?
A. Several factors can contribute to battery drain on your iPhone 14, such as background app refresh, location services, high screen brightness, and push notifications.
Q. How can I improve the battery life of my iPhone 14?
A. To enhance your device's battery life, consider adjusting settings like screen brightness, disabling unnecessary background processes, and turning off location services when not in use.
Q. How can I optimize my iPhone 14's battery health?
A. Regularly checking your battery health in the settings, avoiding extreme temperatures, and avoiding frequent total discharges can help maintain your iPhone's battery health.