iOS 18 Battery Drain: What You Must Do

Author: Destiny Young, Cybersecurity Leader | Tech Infrastructure & IT Operations Engineer | Digital Innovation Strategist | Tech Mentor | Author | Chartered Manager and Administrator

Table of Contents

• Understanding the Issue
• Immediate Actions
• Optimising Settings
• App-Specific Solutions
• Advanced Troubleshooting
• When to Seek Help
• Looking Ahead

The release of iOS 18 has brought a host of new features and improvements to iPhones, but some users have reported experiencing significant battery drain issues. While it’s common for battery life to fluctuate after a major update, persistent problems can be frustrating. Here’s what you need to know about iOS 18 battery drain and the steps you can take to address it.

Understanding the Issue

When you first update to iOS 18, it’s normal for your iPhone to consume more battery power than usual. This is because the device is busy with background tasks such as reindexing files, optimising apps, and adjusting to new system settings. Typically, this increased battery usage should subside within a few days as your iPhone settles into the new operating system.

However, if you’re still experiencing rapid battery drain after a week or more, it may be time to investigate further.

Immediate Actions

Check Battery Health

First, it’s crucial to ensure that your battery isn’t simply worn out. Navigate to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging to check your battery’s maximum capacity. If it’s below 80%, you might want to consider a battery replacement.

Enable Low Power Mode

While not a permanent solution, Low Power Mode can help extend your battery life by reducing or disabling certain features and background processes. You can quickly toggle this on in the Control Centre or through Settings > Battery.

Restart Your iPhone

A simple restart can often resolve minor software glitches that may be causing excessive battery drain. Hold down the power button and either volume button, then slide to power off. Wait a minute before turning your device back on.

Optimising Settings

Manage Background App Refresh

Apps refreshing in the background can significantly impact battery life. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and disable it for apps that don’t need constant updating.

Adjust Location Services

Location tracking can be a major battery drain. Review your location settings in Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and limit access for apps that don’t require constant location data.

Reduce Screen Brightness

A bright display consumes more power. Lower your screen brightness or enable Auto-Brightness in Settings > Display & Brightness to optimise battery usage.

Limit Push Notifications

Constant notifications can keep your phone awake and drain the battery. Review and adjust your notification settings for each app in Settings > Notifications.

App-Specific Solutions

Update Your Apps

Ensure all your apps are up to date, as developers often release optimisations for new iOS versions. Open the App Store, tap your profile picture, and update all apps.

Identify Battery-Hungry Apps

Use the Battery Usage feature in Settings > Battery to identify which apps are consuming the most power. Consider limiting your use of these apps or finding alternatives if they’re not essential.

Advanced Troubleshooting

Reset All Settings

If you’re still experiencing issues, try resetting all settings. This won’t delete your data but will reset system settings to default. Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.

Reinstall iOS 18

In some cases, a clean install of iOS 18 might be necessary. Back up your iPhone, then use iTunes or Finder to reinstall the operating system. This can resolve deeper software issues that might be causing battery drain.

When to Seek Help

If you’ve tried all these steps and are still experiencing significant battery drain, it may be time to contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store. There could be a hardware issue or a more complex software problem that requires professional assistance.

Looking Ahead

Apple typically releases minor updates to address bugs and performance issues shortly after a major iOS release. Keep an eye out for these updates and install them promptly, as they often include battery life improvements.

By following these steps and remaining patient during the initial adjustment period, most users should be able to resolve iOS 18 battery drain issues and enjoy the new features without compromising on battery life.

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