The latest iOS 18 brings an array of useful features like call recording, the ability to hide apps, and more. The initial versions of any software update might be buggy, and the iOS 18 update is no different. Several people have reported battery drain on their iPhones after updating to iOS 18.
Moreover, some users have reported not only reduced battery life but also a decline in overall battery health. In this article, we’ll discuss 7 ways to fix iOS 18 battery drain problems. Whether you feel your iPhone battery doesn’t last longer after updating to iOS 18 or you’re worried about the battery health of your iPhone, this guide will surely come in handy. Without any ado, let’s begin!
Method 1: Let Background Processing Finish
First of all, just relax and don’t worry too much. We’re saying this because it’s normal to notice abnormal battery drain on your iPhone after installing a major iOS update. That’s because when you install a new install iOS update, your iPhone gets busy performing several background tasks that require extra power.
As a result, you might notice that your iPhone battery doesn’t last as long as it used to after installing iOS 18. You need not worry as the battery life should return to its normal performance once these background tasks are completed. Just like your iPhone, it takes some time to complete post-update tasks and settle down, and it should then deliver the same battery experience as before.
Method 2: Restart your iPhone
Rebooting is an old-school yet effective way to fix iPhone battery drain problems. This helps you fix minor software bugs & glitches that might be interfering with your iPhone battery. Also, it will give the system a fresh start and improve your iPhone’s overall functioning. So, if your iPhone battery is dying faster than usual after updating iOS, you should restart your iPhone before trying the other steps mentioned below.
To restart iPhones with Face ID, press and hold the Power button (side button) and either of the Volume buttons until you see the “slide to power off” option. Then, drag the slider to the right to turn off your iPhone. After 30 seconds, press & hold the Power Button until the Apple Logo appears on the screen.
Method 3: Check iPhone Battery Health
If you’re facing iOS 18 battery drain problems on a pretty old iPhone, you must check the battery health of your iPhone. This will give you deeper insights into the overall condition of the battery, and let you know if your iPhone needs a battery replacement. As lithium-ion batteries age, their charge-holding capacity also reduces. This leads to reduced peak performance and battery life. If your iPhone doesn’t last long between charges, your iPhone battery might be due for a replacement. This is pretty common on older iPhone models.
To verify, go to Settings -> Battery -> Battery Health & Charging and check Maximum Capacity, your iPhone battery health. If the Maximum Capacity is more than 80%, you need not worry. However, if your iPhone’s battery health falls below 80%, it indicates the battery is worn out and is due for a replacement.
If you wish to prolong the lifespan of the battery, here are 10 tips to maintain iPhone battery health.
Method 4: Try Battery Saving Tips
If your iPhone battery health is good and you’re still getting lesser battery runtime on your iPhone, you can adjust some settings to prolong the battery life. We’ve mentioned some battery-saving tips below. Let’s check them out.
- Only use Apple-certified chargers and cables.
- Go to Settings -> Battery -> Battery Health & Charging and turn on Optimized Battery Charging toggle.
- Don’t use an overly bright display. Stick to a lower yet comfortable brightness level on your iPhone.
- Use Low Power Mode and Dark Mode, when needed.
- Turn off Wi-Fi, Mobile Data, Location Services, and other features that you don’t need currently.
- Open Settings -> General -> Background App Refresh -> Background App Refresh and select Off.
For complete details, you can visit our dedicated guide on how to save battery on an iPhone.
Method 5: Check for Battery Draining Apps
If you’ve tried the above steps and are stuck with battery drain problems, you must check for any incompatible, non-verified, or misbehaving apps that are consuming too much power on your iPhone. You might not realize it, but certain rogue apps could be consuming excessive resources on your device. This could be due to poor coding, infinite loop issues, incompatibility, etc.
To check for battery-draining apps on your iPhone, go to Settings > Battery, then scroll down to check the battery consumption by different apps. If you see an app consuming too much battery, you must first try to update it. In case this doesn’t help, uninstall the app right away. Also, if an app that you aren’t even using actively takes up one of the top spots, you must delete it right away as that app certainly is not good for your iPhone.
While we’re talking about this, you should also try to recall if you’ve faced charging or overheating problems while using a specific app. If that’s the case, try removing that app and see if it helps.
Method 6: Update Apps
Sometimes, the battery drain problems might not be due to the iOS 18 update but rather older apps on your iPhone. Your device might have certain outdated apps that are compatible with the latest version of iOS. As a result, they trigger unexpected issues like battery drain, overheating, and more. When you install the latest iOS update, it’s important to make sure that all your apps are up-to-date.
To update apps on your iPhone, head to the App Store, tap on your Profile icon, and browse through the list of available app updates. You can also turn on Automatic App Updates on your iPhone. For complete details, you can head to our dedicated guide on how to update apps on an iPhone.
Method 7: Wait for Next Update
If the above steps didn’t work for you, all you can do is wait for Apple to address the issue and fix it with the next iOS 18 update. Apple generally releases software updates with bug fixes and new features. So, a future update should fix these battery-related problems. Besides, updates also come with security fixes that can safeguard your device against any vulnerabilities.
To make sure your iPhone is running the latest iOS 18 version, go to Settings -> General -> Software Update. If any updates are available, download and install them.
That’s how you can fix iOS 18 battery drain problems on your iPhone. We hope this guide helped you figure out the exact reason for this and prolong the iPhone battery life. In case you’ve been stuck with battery-related issues for weeks now, we recommend heading to the nearest Apple Store to get your iPhone diagnosed for any internal damages or battery replacement.
