How to get the most out of your iPhone battery

Many people charge their phones overnight before going to bed, but this can actually damage the battery. — Dreamstime/TNS

Battery life got a solid improvement with the iPhone 13, which lasts an average of two hours longer than the iPhone 11 or 12. But upgrading to a new phone isn’t always realistic. No matter which iPhone you’ve got, there are a few simple tricks you can use to extend your battery’s life.

Here are three easy ways to make your iPhone last longer, according to South Fulton, Georgia’s Batteries Plus:

Avoid these mistakes while charging your iPhone

Many people charge their phones overnight before going to bed, but this can actually damage the battery. This is because you end up overcharging the battery, reducing the number of charge cycles your battery can handle.

“Another bad habit people do is charging their phone to 100%. The ideal charge for a lithium battery is 40% to 80%, as a fully charged battery places a larger strain on it. You also shouldn’t let your battery get down to 0%, as this will diminish overall capacity,” according to Batteries Plus.

Keep your iPhone at a stable temperature

The battery in your iPhone is temperature-sensitive, and will quickly drain if it gets too hot or cold.

“Exposing your cellphone to high heat on a regular basis can impair the battery’s ability to hold a charge,” according to Batteries Plus.

If your phone becomes too hot, there are a few things you can do to cool it down, such as placing it in the shade or near a fan, or simply turning it off.

Recognise when your battery needs replacing

The most obvious sign that your phone’s battery needs to be replaced is when it runs out of juice at an alarming rate. However, there are a few other things to be aware of.

“If you notice your phone not charging completely, if your battery drops to 90% or 80% immediately after unplugging it, or if your phone randomly restarts in the middle of something, then it is likely your battery might need replacing,” according to Batteries Plus.

Bonus tip

Low Power Mode is a lifesaver – it pauses background activities that drain your battery, such as incoming emails, background app refresh, and automatic downloads and shuts off once your phone is charged to at least 80%, according to Macworld. To turn on Low Power Mode, just go to Settings and Battery to make the switch. – Atlanta Journal-Constitution/Tribune News Service