iOS 17 came with some new features like screen distance, but it is also causing battery drains on many iPhones. There are many users sharing how they are facing significant battery drain issues after updating their iPhone to iOS 17 on social media. We are facing battery drain on our iPhones too so we tried different fixes that can help you fix it.
Table of Contents
1. Wait Some Time and Update iOS
Apple is known to push frequent updates to fix common issues like Wi-Fi connectivity, or heating problems. So it is a good idea to check if there is an update available for iOS and wait for a few days. While you do, here are some thoughts to ponder over:
- Also, every time Apple releases a major update like iOS 17, it takes time for the system to adapt to all the changes.
- Spotlight reindexing can take a huge toll on the battery as it takes a lot of time to process all the files and create new databases. Hence, all these processes can contribute to your iPhone’s battery drain.
2. Update the Apps
While you are waiting, try different ways to save battery life. Try updating all the apps on your iPhone. Using outdated versions of apps incompatible with iOS 17 may result in inefficiencies leading to battery drains.
These updates often include bug fixes, performance enhancements, security patches, and compatibility improvements. Using an outdated app can lead to increased resource usage, eventually consuming more battery life.
Here is how you can update your apps.
1. Open the App Store on your iPhone.
2. Tap profile icon on the top-right of your screen.
3. Scroll down and check for the apps that need updating or tap on Update All.
Once done, restart your iPhone to save all the changes.
3. Turn Off Siri
Siri actively listens for voice commands and hence is always running in the background consuming battery juice. This can lead to multiple processes running in the background draining the battery. Many people don’t really use Siri anyway. If you are one of them, here is how to turn it off.
1. Open Settings on your iPhone
2. Scroll down and Go to Siri & Search
3. Open Listen For on your screen.
4. Tap on Off.
5. Now, go back and turn off the Press Side Button for Siri.
6. Tap on Turn Off Siri below.
Siri will be turned off. If you want to use it again, follow the same steps above and turn it on.
4. Disable Screen Distance
Although Screen Distance is an exceptionally useful feature to prevent straining your eyes, it can consume a lot of battery power. It is always working in the background to measure the distance between your face and the screen, thus draining the battery in the process. Good for teenagers and kids but adults may consider turning it off.
1. Open Settings on your iPhone
2. Tap on Screen Time to open it.
3. Go to Screen Distance.
4. Turn it off.
Also, if you do not need the Screen Time feature on your iPhone, you can turn it off as well. You will see a significant improvement in your battery over the time.
5. Turn Off Background Refresh
Background App Refresh allows apps to update their content in the background even when you’re not actively using them. While it can be useful for keeping your apps like weather or news up to date and providing with the latest information, it can also impact battery life, especially if too many apps are constantly refreshing in the background.
You can turn it off for apps that you do not use or need to be refreshed actively in the background.
1. Open Settings on your iPhone
2. Go to General.
3. Tap on Background App Refresh.
4. Turn the feature off here for each individually.
6. Switch to Safari
Google Chrome is a popular browser, however, it is known to be resource-intensive leading to battery drains on iPhones. Instead, switch to Safari which is Apple’s native web browser designed to work seamlessly with iOS.
Furthermore, it’s well-integrated with the operating system, meaning it generally consumes fewer resources and offers better battery efficiency than third-party browsers.
7. Check Battery Usage for Apps
You can also check the battery usage of apps installed on your iPhone to see if there is a rogue app that causing the battery drain, even if you are not using it that much. If so, you can either update it or uninstall it.
Here is how you can do it.
1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap on Battery.
3. Wait for the system to check and calculate battery usage by apps.
4. Scroll below and check the section Battery Usage By App.
Here, you can see which apps are using the most battery power. You can then take necessary actions such as turning off background refresh.
8. Don’t Close Apps in the Background
Many users have a habit of forcibly closing apps when done using by swiping them up. Who doesn’t love to keep the app switcher clean and tidy? But it has a drawback.
Your iPhone has to use system resources and battery all over again to start these apps and fetch data when you need it. You should close the app completely only when it is frozen or unresponsive. iOS is capable of handling these apps in the background with minimal resources as they are optimized.
9. Don’t Turn Off Auto Brightness
Do you have auto-brightness turned on? If not, turn it on as auto-brightness can save a lot of battery life. That’s because the display can consume a lot of battery juice, especially when on full or high brightness.
Apple recommends keeping it turned on as it may affect battery life in the long run. Here’s how to enable it:
1. Open Settings on your iPhone.
2. Tap on Accessibility.
3. Now, choose Display & Text Size.
4. Scroll down and enable Auto-Brightness
Save Your Battery Life!
You can try all of the above methods and save your battery life from the iOS 17 update. However, it is highly recommended to wait it out and maybe check for any further updates from Apple itself that will eventually solve your battery drain issues on your iPhone.
Does your eyes strain a lot while using an iPhone? Learn how to enable Screen Distance on iOS 17.
