iPhone Battery Draining Fast – 11 Settings That Really Help
Is your iPhone battery draining quickly? Maybe even overnight? Or does your iPhone lose 20-30% even if you barely use it?
This is one of the most common reasons why customers come to our branches in Dornbirn, Götzis, or Bürs. In most cases, the battery is not defective – but certain settings consume unnecessary energy.
Here are 11 iPhone settings that really help if your battery drains quickly.
1. Disable 5G – especially with fluctuating network coverage
5G is fast but more power-hungry than LTE. In buildings with thick construction, in the mountains, or near borders, the iPhone frequently switches between cell towers and network types. This constant "searching" drains the battery.
- Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Voice & Data
- Temporarily switch to LTE
In everyday use, you often notice hardly any difference – but you will with the battery.
2. Limit Background App Refresh
Many apps update content in the background (social media, news, weather, shopping). This consumes battery without you actively benefiting from it.
- Settings → General → Background App Refresh
- Disable unnecessary apps (or turn off completely)
Many apps work in the background – often unnecessarily
3. Configure Location Services correctly
GPS is one of the biggest battery consumers. If apps constantly retrieve your location, battery life noticeably decreases.
- Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services
- Set apps to "While Using the App"
- Optional: below System Services, only keep what you need active
4. Reduce Push Notifications
Many push notifications = frequent waking of the display and system. This costs battery.
- Settings → Notifications
- Disable unimportant apps or reduce "Notification Style"
5. Shorten Auto-Lock
If the display stays on for a long time, the battery drains faster – even without "heavy use."
- Settings → Display & Brightness → Auto-Lock
- Set to 30 seconds or 1 minute
6. Optimize Always-On Display (Pro models)
Always-On is practical but constantly draws power. You don't necessarily have to disable it completely: Often, it's enough to only disable the wallpaper.
- Settings → Display & Brightness → Always On
- Check options (e.g., turn off wallpaper)
Tip: Disabling the wallpaper often noticeably saves battery
7. Limit Live Activities
Live Activities (e.g., delivery tracking, sports apps, navigation) constantly update content on the lock screen.
- Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Live Activities
- Only allow the truly important apps
8. Reduce Lock Screen Widgets
Widgets seem harmless, but they update regularly. Fewer widgets = less background activity.
- Press and hold Lock Screen → Customize → Remove Widgets
9. Check battery usage per app
If an app is misbehaving, you'll see it here immediately.
- Settings → Battery
If an app consumes an unusual amount: Check for updates or uninstall it experimentally.
10. Reduce System Haptics
The small vibrations add up – especially when many notifications come in.
- Settings → Sounds & Haptics
- Disable System Haptics
11. Use Low Power Mode wisely
Low Power Mode automatically reduces background processes and often immediately leads to noticeably longer battery life.
- Settings → Battery → Low Power Mode
Tip: Activate it in Control Center if you notice that the day will be longer than the battery life.
iPhone battery still draining quickly?
If your iPhone battery still drains quickly despite these settings – especially with older models like iPhone 11, 12, or 13 – the battery itself might be aged, or an app/system process is stuck.
We'd be happy to check it directly in the store and honestly tell you what measures make sense and whether a battery replacement is worthwhile.
Our Conclusion
In many cases, it's settings – not the battery itself. With the right adjustments, battery life can be significantly extended.
And if you're unsure: Come by. We'll help you in person.
Tewodros Mandefro
Team Leader epos Store at Garnmarkt
Our locations in Dornbirn, Götzis, and Bürs
Here for you. Since 1996.
