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How to Fix iOS 18 Battery Drain Issue

iOS 18 Battery Drain

Many iPhone users are facing iOS 18 battery drain issues. Read out this article to find the real cause of this issue.

At WWDC 2024, Apple thrilled the world by announcing iOS 18 on June 10—a major update designed for the iPhone 11 to the iPhone 16 series and iPhone X series. Fast forward to September 16, 2024, and it’s officially live for everyone! IOS 18 brings a host of standout features, making the iPhone experience even more dynamic. Apple introduces Apple Intelligence integration with ChatGPT, an enhanced, AI-driven assistant, along with a personalized home screen layout, a sleek redesign of the Photos app and Control Center, plus fun new effects in Messages and long-awaited RCS support for better cross-platform texting.

But after updating to iOS 18, many users have noticed that their iPhone’s battery is draining more quickly than usual. While this is common with new updates, last year iPhone users experienced the same battery drain issue with iOS 17. You can try the below-mentioned tweaks to solve the iOS 18 battery drain issue.

5 Tweaks to Solve iOS 18 Battery Drain Issue

Here are a few solutions to solve the battery drain issue on iOS 18:

1. Wait some time!

It is typically normal to experience a reduction in battery life after a new iOS 18 update. This occurs because your device is busy performing many background tasks that need extra power.

In iOS 18, Apple has introduced an option to see what’s going on in the background. To check if your iPhone is currently running additional tasks, go to Settings, then Battery, You will see an entry under Activity labeled Device Setup and Updates. This reveals that your device is completing additional processes that can temporarily drain your battery.

Don’t panic—your battery life should be back to a normal state after these post-update tasks are completed. It is just a matter of giving your iPhone some time to calm down.

2. Extend Your iPhone Battery Life with Some Tweaks

When your iPhone has completed its additional tasks, here are some tweaks that might help to extend your iPhone’s battery lifespan:

  • Reduce Screen Brightness: Turning down your screen brightness can help reduce battery consumption.
  • Turn on Dark Mode: Using dark mode can make a remarkable difference in battery consumption, especially on OLED screens.
  • Turn off Wi-Fi Assist: With Wi-Fi Assist, you use cellular data when your Wi-Fi connection is poor, which can be one of the reasons for the iOS 18 battery drain. To disable it, go to Settings then Cellular, scroll down, and disable Wi-Fi Assist.
Wifi assist

3. Your Apps Must be updated

Battery life or performance problems on your iPhone might not always stem from iOS itself, but rather from apps that haven’t been updated with the latest version. When Apple rolls out a new iOS version, it is essential to make sure all your apps are up-to-date before trying any troubleshooting steps to solve the battery drain issue on iOS 18.

To update your apps, go to the App Store and tap on your profile icon in the top corner. Then, scroll, down to the Available Updates section. To see the most recent updates, simply swipe down on the screen and you will be ready to install any pending app updates.

4. Check for Rouge App That Consume More Power

If you have tried all the possible ways to fix the iOS 18 battery drain issue and you have still failed to solve it, it might be due to a rogue app that consumes more power than normal. Fortunately, iOS offers tools to find out these badly behaved apps.

Go to Settings, then Battery, Here you will get a bundle of information, including Battery Usage by App. This feature shows you which apps are consuming more power.

Moreover, you can tap on Activity by app, you can see a section of how much battery each app is using while on the screen and in the background. You can use these details to navigate the battery drain issue on iOS 18. Below we mentioned some other things you can use this information for:

app data usage

If an application shows excessive background activity compared to screen activity, it might be running unnecessarily in the background. You can turn off background activity for that app by going to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and disabling it for the misbehaving app.

iOS battery drain - background app refresh

You can also check charging issues to determine if your iPhone was charging when you see it was charged. Furthermore, to detect poor battery performance, look at real-time data where exactly the battery charge drops, which might cause a problem.

This information can assist you in finding and solving iOS battery drain issues successfully.

5. Replacing Your iPhone’s Battery

Having an old iPhone? If your phone is three years or older, it might be time to think about replacing the battery to fix the iOS 18 battery drain issue. To confirm your device actually needs a battery replacement, you need to check the battery level:

Head to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging and here, you can check your battery’s maximum capacity. If the level is below 80%, it signifies that your battery is decrepit and might need a replacement. Check and balance your battery health to ensure your iPhone continues to perform well.

battery health

Wait for the Next iOS Update

Occasionally, bugs can sneak through despite Apple’s efforts, and the only solution is to wait for the new iOS update. While Apple has become more efficient in fixing glitches, it often requires some patience. There is always a slight risk involved, as you are hoping the next update will fix the battery drain issue on iOS 18 without creating new problems.

Even with the occasional hiccup, keeping your iPhone updated is significantly important. Every new iOS update usually includes significant security patches, protecting your device from vulnerabilities and potential threats. So, even if you are concerned about updates, installing them ensures your iPhone remains secure and protected.

Closing Sentiments

If you’ve tried all the fixes and are still facing iOS 18 battery drain issues, it’s best to hold off on further troubleshooting. Consider raising the issue on Apple’s community forums, as user feedback can help the company fix the bugs or glitches. Sometimes, the only solution is to wait for Apple’s next update, which will likely address and resolve the bugs causing the problem. Patience may be the key until a more stable version is released.

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Trevor Mogg

I am a tech guide and how-to writer who loves helping people with their tech problems. With plenty of experience, I break down complex topics into easy-to-understand tips and tricks. When I'm not writing, I enjoy trying out new gadgets and keeping up with the latest tech trends.