Is your iPhone battery draining too quickly, or does your MacBook struggle to last through the day? You’re not alone in this. Many users are surprised to discover that simple setting adjustments and charging habits can significantly enhance battery performance and extend its lifespan. Apple’s comprehensive guide titled “Maximizing Battery Life and Lifespan” provides valuable advice on improving the battery life and longevity of all Apple products. The article meticulously outlines the best strategies to maximize your battery’s life and longevity, covering essential tips for iPhones, MacBooks, and even your Apple Watch. Their guide equips you with the knowledge you need to get the most out of your devices.
If you don’t want to read the full Apple Support here is a summary of their key recommendations:
General tips for all devices
- Keep software updated: Staying on the latest software version ensures you have the latest energy-saving technology.
- Avoid extreme temperatures: Both very hot and very cold conditions can permanently harm the battery. The ideal “comfort zone” is 62° to 72°F (16° to 22°C), and you should never expose a device to temperatures over 95°F (35°C).
- Remove cases when charging: If you notice your device getting hot while charging, take it out of its case. Some cases can trap excess heat, which can damage the battery.
- Store half-charged for long term: If you’re putting a device away for six months or longer, store it with about 50% charge. A fully charged or fully discharged battery can lose capacity over time.
Device-specific tips
For iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch
- Adjust brightness: Dim the screen or enable Auto-Brightness for significant power savings.
- Use Wi-Fi: A Wi-Fi connection uses less power than a cellular network for data access.
- Enable Low Power Mode: This automatically reduces power consumption when the battery is low. It minimizes animations, background downloads, and more.
- Manage background app activity: Go to Settings > Battery to see which apps are using the most power and limit background refresh for non-essential apps.
For Apple Watch:
- Use Power Saving Mode: Enable this for walking and running workouts to disable the heart rate sensor.
- Turn off “Wake Screen on Wrist Raise”: This prevents the display from turning on unnecessarily.
For MacBooks:
- Adjust Energy Saver settings: MacBooks are smart enough to adjust power usage automatically, but you can configure additional settings in the Energy Saver preference pane.
- Disconnect peripherals: Unplug external hard drives and eject SD cards when you aren’t using them.
