How To Maximize The Battery Life On Your Apple Devices

How To Maximize The Battery Life On Your Apple Devices

At TekReplay, we are  all about empowering Apple users to get the most out of their devices. And let's face it, nothing disrupts your flow more than a dead battery. 

(And doesn’t it always seem to happen when you need your device the most?)

As devices age, the battery within them typically starts to decline in performance over time – it is just the reality of using a device. But there are some steps you can take to ensure that your battery keeps chugging along at its peak performance. Here are some of our best battery life hacks for your Apple devices!

Why Apple Device Batteries Lose Their Luster Over Time

While Apple devices are renowned for their sleek design and powerful performance, their batteries, like all batteries, are not immune to the ravages of time. 

You may have noticed that your once-vibrant iPhone now struggles to make it through a full day of use, or your iPad seems to drain faster than it used to. But why is this happening?

The Chemical Cause

Apple devices, like most modern electronics, utilize lithium-ion batteries. These batteries work by shuttling lithium ions back and forth between the anode and cathode, generating electricity. 

However, with each charge and discharge cycle, a small amount of the lithium ions become permanently trapped within the battery, reducing its overall capacity. This phenomenon, known as lithium plating, is the primary cause of battery degradation over time.

The Environmental Culprits

Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can significantly accelerate battery degradation. High temperatures can cause the battery's internal components to break down, while low temperatures can hinder the flow of lithium ions, reducing performance. 

You may have noticed your iPhone shuts down when exposed to extreme temperatures – this is an internal protection that clicks on when the device fears the harsh conditions may damage it. So always keep your phone in safe temperatures!

Moisture, vibration, and physical shocks can also damage a battery's internal components and reduce its ability to hold a charge. Performance will usually recover when the battery returns to normal operating conditions.

It is worth mentioning that deeply discharging and recharging your device regularly can cause an accumulation of metal deposits in the battery cells. This type of degradation is unavoidable but fortunately not as destructive as lithium plating.

Tips To Keep Your Device Running Longer

While your Apple device will eventually see a degradation in performance, there are steps you can take to keep the power up for longer:

• Dim the Lights: Your display is a significant power drain. Embrace lower brightness settings and leverage Auto-Brightness for optimal balance. Remember, a dimmer screen leads to a long-lasting battery.
• Stay On Wi-Fi: Whenever possible, ditch cellular data and connect to Wi-Fi. Cellular networks are battery-hungry beasts, while Wi-Fi offers a more sustainable power source.
• Avoid Keeping Apps Running: Background App Refresh updates apps even when you are not using them, but it can drain your battery. Disable it for non-essential apps and experience the power of mindful app management.
• Be Aware Of Location Settings: Location services offer convenience but demand power. Grant location access only to apps that genuinely need it, and turn it off when not in use. Remember, privacy and battery life go hand in hand.
• Watch Out for Push Notification Overload: Constant notifications can be informative, but they can also be battery-draining. Consider turning off notifications for non-essential apps or setting them to deliver silently.
• Low Power Mode to the Rescue: When your battery dips below a certain level, activate Low Power Mode to reduce background activity and conserve energy automatically. It is  your battery's superhero in times of need.

Most of these tips are simply habits you can adopt to get the most out of your phone's battery life - so work to add those healthy habits to your daily routine.

Device-Specific Strategies for Optimal Power Management:

iPhone:

• Optimized Battery Charging: This feature learns your charging routine and reduces wear and tear on your battery, extending its lifespan.
• Location Services Tweaks: Disable location services for System Services and Location-Based Alerts. Remember, precise location is not always necessary.
• Visual Tweaks: Reduce Motion & Accessibility settings like Reduce Transparency and Increase Contrast. Sometimes, simpler visuals are better for your battery.

iPad:

• Night Shift to the Rescue: This feature reduces blue light, making it easier on your eyes and saving battery life. A win-win situation!
• Control App Updates: Disable automatic updates for large apps to conserve data and battery. Remember, patience is a virtue, even for your apps.
• Safari Background Refresh: Turn off Background App Refresh for Safari if you primarily use it for browsing. Let go of unnecessary data updates.

MacBook:

• Sleep Mode is Your Friend: Do not let your MacBook run unnecessarily. Put it to sleep when not in use. A well-rested device is a powerful device.
• Energy Saver Settings: Utilize the Energy Saver settings to optimize battery performance. Optimize your settings for power conservation.
• Avoid Extreme Temps: Like any device, extreme temperatures can reduce battery life. Keep your Macbook away from extreme heat and cold to ensure it’s always running at maximum performance.

Apple Watch:

• Brightness and Timeout: Reduce the screen brightness and decrease the display timeout. Remember, a dimmer screen is a longer-lasting battery.
• Background App and Wrist Wake: Turn off these features unless you need them constantly. Do not let unnecessary features drain your battery.
• Heartbeat Tracking: Disable heart rate tracking if you don't rely on it. Let your battery rest from constant monitoring.

The Golden Rules of Battery Life

If you want to keep your devices running longer, remember to take the time to save battery power. Remember these basic golden rules, and you’ll find your Apple products work harder for longer - and you can have the peace of mind that comes with knowing your device is always running at maximum performance.

• Avoid extremes: Don't charge your battery to 100% or let it completely drain. Maintaining a moderate charge level is better for battery health.
• Stay updated: Keep your device and apps updated to the latest versions. These updates often include battery optimizations and bug fixes.

By incorporating these strategies into your daily routine, you'll be amazed by how much longer your Apple devices can stay powered up. 

Find Your Next Device with TekReplay

At TekReplay, we believe that maximizing your battery life means maximizing your enjoyment of your favorite Apple products. And if it’s finally time for you to upgrade your device – why not consider a certified refurbished product from TekReplay? 

Our full catalog of certified Apple products are all rigorously tested for quality and backed by a 30-day warranty – so you can shop with confidence. 

Shop now at TekReplay and power up your Apple devices for an optimal experience!