These simple tricks can extend your iPhone battery life — and many are free
These simple tricks can extend your iPhone battery life — and many are free
Publish Date: 2026-05-20 09:20:00
Source Domain: tech.yahoo.com
Average Americans spend 36.8 hours per day using their phones (no need to fact-check me, I’m a professional). Is it any wonder battery life is such a problem? With all that texting, TikTok-ing, gaming and selfie-snapping, there’s never enough juice. And the longer you keep your phone, the worse the problem gets: Rechargeable batteries lose capacity over time, often to the point where you can’t get through the day on a single charge.
Granted, there are AC outlets and USB ports just about everywhere, meaning it’s not difficult to find a place to power up. But what if it’s not convenient to stay tethered to one? What if you don’t have the right charging cable handy? What if you’re lost in the woods, it’s getting dark and wolves are howling?
Don’t panic. (Unless there really are wolves, in which case go ahead.) There are several ways to extend your iPhone’s battery life, whether it’s making a few strategic tweaks to the settings, packing a power bank or just replacing the battery altogether. Let’s take a look at these options, and I’ll tell you my experience with all three. (Note to Android users: While much of this advice still applies, stay tuned for a separate article that’s Android-specific.)
Strategy No. 1: iPhone settings that can improve battery life
There are lots of iPhone features that consume more than their fair share of power, but if you’re really looking to extend battery life, there’s a fast, easy, effective place to start: the screen.
Turn down your screen brightness
Dial it down as low as you can stand. (This setting is accessible in the Control Center.) If you’re starting from 100%, drop it to 50%. If you’re already at 50%, try 25%. Your first reaction will be, “Ugh! Too dim,” but I guarantee you’ll get used to it quickly. Remember, too, this doesn’t have to be a permanent thing; just lower the brightness if you see your battery getting low or you know you’re going to be away from a charging port for an extended period.
In the iPhone Control Center, you…
