Little-known ‘vampire’ setting is probably ruining your iPhone battery : The Premier Daily

Is your iPhone running out of power faster than you’d like? While it’s easy to blame your heavy app usage or constant social media scrolling, the real culprit could be lurking deep within your settings. This “vampire” setting, along with several others, could be silently draining your battery without you even realizing it. In this article, we’ll explore 15 tips and settings that might be sapping your iPhone’s battery life and how you can tweak them to get the most out of your device.

1. Wi-Fi Assist: The Hidden Culprit

Yes its helpful, but if we don't know it's happening it can be literally draining — Credit: Unsplash

Wi-Fi Assist is a little-known feature that automatically switches your iPhone to mobile data when your Wi-Fi connection is weak.¹ While this can be convenient, it can also lead to significant battery drain as your phone constantly shifts between connections. To disable Wi-Fi Assist, go to Settings > Mobile Data and scroll to the bottom to find the toggle for Wi-Fi Assist.

2. Always-On Display

If your phone is always on, when does your battery stop draining? — Credit: Unsplash

The Always-On Display feature, available on newer iPhone models, allows you to see basic information like time and notifications without fully waking your phone. However, this feature can consume up to 1% of your battery per hour, even when you’re not actively using your device. To turn it off, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On Display and toggle it off.

3. Haptic Feedback

Do you really need the phone to give you feedback for every letter you text? — Credit: Pixabay

Haptic feedback is the small vibration you feel when typing on your keyboard or performing certain actions on your iPhone. While it can enhance the user experience, it also drains battery life. To save power, you can disable haptic feedback by going to Settings > Sounds & Haptics > Keyboard Feedback and turning off the “Haptics” toggle.

4. “Hey Siri” Detection

helpful, but exhausting to your phone battery — Credit: Unsplash

“Hey Siri” allows you to activate Siri hands-free, but it also means your iPhone is always listening for your voice, which drains battery. If you don’t use Siri often, consider turning off “Hey Siri” detection by going to Settings > Siri & Search > Listen for “Hey Siri” and toggling it off.

5. Background App Refresh

If your apps are always running, the battery doesn't get a break — Credit: Unsplash

Background App Refresh allows apps to update content even when they’re not in use, which can be a significant battery drain.² To manage this, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. You can either turn it off entirely or select which apps are allowed to refresh in the background.

6. Location Services

It's nice to know where you are, but your phone doesn't need to know all the time — Credit: Unsplash

Location Services enable apps to track your location, but constantly updating your location can quickly drain your battery.³ To save power, go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services and adjust the settings for each app. Consider setting location access to “While Using the App” or turning it off for apps that don’t need it.

7. Notifications Overload

it's ok to check your phone on your time, not whenever a notiification pops up — Credit: Unsplash

Every time you receive a notification, your iPhone lights up, vibrates, and plays a sound—actions that consume battery. Reducing unnecessary notifications can help save power. Go to Settings > Notifications and review which apps are allowed to send notifications. Turn off notifications for apps that aren’t essential.

With the multitude of settings, it's natural we'll find the best one for your battery — Credit: Unsplash

AirDrop’s nearby sharing feature is handy for quickly transferring files, but keeping it on all the time can drain your battery as it constantly looks for nearby devices. To turn it off, go to Settings > General > AirDrop and select “Receiving Off” or “Contacts Only” instead of “Everyone.”

9. Live Activities

Does it always need to be "right now, all the time"? — Credit: Unsplash

Live Activities, introduced with the iPhone 14 Pro series, show real-time updates on your lock screen. While useful, they can be a drain on your battery. To disable Live Activities, go to Settings and select the apps that support this feature. Toggle off the “Live Activities” option for each app.

10. Lock Screen Widgets

The widgets are meant to ease access, not make your life harder — Credit: Unsplash

Widgets on your lock screen provide quick access to information, but they also require constant updates, which can drain your battery. To remove widgets, press and hold on your lock screen, tap “Customize,” and remove any unnecessary widgets.

11. Screen Brightness

Why do you need your screen this bright? — Credit: Unsplash

Keeping your screen brightness at maximum can rapidly drain your battery. Adjusting the brightness to a lower level can help conserve power. You can do this by swiping down from the top right to access the Control Center and sliding the brightness bar down. Also, consider enabling auto-brightness in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.

12. Auto-Lock Timing

Locking your phone means the screen is dark. Dark screen means a safe battery — Credit: Unsplash

Auto-Lock determines how long your screen stays on after you stop using your iPhone. Setting a shorter Auto-Lock time can help preserve battery life. To adjust this, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock and choose a shorter time, like 30 seconds.

13. Optimized Battery Charging

efficient charging is the best charging — Credit: Unsplash

Optimized Battery Charging is a feature that learns your charging routine and waits to finish charging past 80% until you need it, helping to extend your battery’s lifespan. To ensure it’s enabled, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging and toggle on “Optimized Battery Charging.”

14. Bluetooth Settings

If you're not connected, turn it off — Credit: Unsplash

Bluetooth can be a subtle battery drainer, especially if it’s constantly searching for new devices. To save battery, turn off Bluetooth when you’re not using it by going to Settings > Bluetooth and toggling it off.

15. App Notifications

phones are meant to make life easier, not tie us down — Credit: Unsplash

Limiting the number of notifications you receive can not only help save your battery but also reduce distractions. Go to Settings > Notifications and review each app’s notification settings. Disable or limit notifications for apps that aren’t critical to your daily routine.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, phones should be dong more harm than good. So let's treat them as such — Credit: Unsplash

By tweaking these settings, you can significantly extend your iPhone’s battery life. While some of these features are convenient, turning off those you don’t need or use regularly can make a big difference in how long your battery lasts throughout the day. Take a few minutes to go through these tips, and you’ll likely see an improvement in your iPhone’s battery performance.

Sources

“Little-known ‘vampire’ setting is probably ruining your iPhone battery.” Tyla. Britt Jones. August 13, 2024.
“I improved my iPhone’s battery life by changing these 10 settings.” ZD Net. Max Buondonno. July 22, 2024.
“iOS 15 Battery Drain: 29+ Tips to Make Your Battery Last Longer.” Macrumors. Juli Clover. February 8, 2022