Have you ever noticed that your iPhone’s battery doesn’t last as long as it used to, especially after updating to the latest version of iOS? People ask me frequently, “Why my iPhone Battery Health reduced after iOS Software Update? Is the update the reason for battery health reduction?
I have been using an iPhone since the iPhone 3G, and I will keep it simple and answer the common questions surrounding iPhone Battery Health in this article.
It’s not going to take much of your time.
New iPhone users normally have these questions about battery health reduction and how to prevent such reduction from happening in the future.
The first thing you should know is that just like cars and bike batteries, as we use our iPhones, the battery degrades over months. We cannot stop it from reducing. But we can maintain battery health by following simple tips.
Also Read, Apple Watch Battery Health Drop Fast? Don’t Do These Mistakes!
Table of Contents
What is Battery Health?
Battery health refers to the capacity of your iPhone’s battery to hold a charge compared to when it was new. Over time, this capacity decreases because batteries wear out from use. A brand-new battery is at 100% health, meaning it can hold the maximum charge it was designed for.
As the battery ages and goes through charge cycles, its health and capacity to hold a charge diminish.
Will iOS Update Reduce Battery Health?
An iOS update itself does not directly be the reason for reduced battery health. However, new software often has new features and optimizations that can make your iPhone work harder, using more battery power. This increased workload can show an already worn battery’s age more quickly.
Additionally, right after an update, your iPhone might be doing a lot of background tasks like reindexing, which temporarily increases battery usage, giving the impression of reduced health.
Based on my observation, the battery health percentage refreshes when we do an iOS Update. That is why we see a sudden reduction in battery health after the update. It could be 1% or 2 to 3% sometimes. Calculate Battery Health from the month and year you have purchased your iPhone.
On average, we see a 1% reduction; in some months, it won’t reduce, which could lead to the 2.5-year average time to reach 80% battery health.
It normally takes two to three days for such background optimizations to complete, and the battery drain will gradually reduce.
Also Read, iPhone not charging after 80 Percent, How to Fix?
What is the iPhone Battery Cycle Count?
A battery cycle count is a way to measure how many times your iPhone’s battery has been used up and recharged again. One cycle count means the battery has been completely used and charged back to 100%, but this doesn’t have to happen simultaneously.
For example, if you use 50% of your battery one day and recharge it fully overnight, then use 50% again the next day and recharge it, that counts as one cycle.
iPhones are designed to retain up to 80% of their original battery capacity at 500 complete charge cycles. The latest iPhone 15 models can go up to 1000 cycle count. But that doesn’t mean it will double the normal Battery Life. Have shared some insight about Chatging Optimization in our recent episode.
How Battery Health Percentage is Calculated?
The battery health percentage is calculated based on the battery’s capacity to hold a charge compared to when it was new. This calculation considers the number of charge cycles the battery has gone through and its overall age.
The system uses complex algorithms to estimate how much capacity has been lost over time and displays this as the battery health percentage in your iPhone’s settings.
This can be inaccurate sometimes, as I understood. Based on my observation, I can say that the battery health calculated for iPhones is not always accurate. The reason for the reduced battery health happening on iPhones is explained in this episode.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDnVz_-rnWw
How You Can Maintain iPhone Battery Health?
Just 2 simple tips is all it takes.
As I mentioned earlier, as a long term iPhone user, since iPhone 7 I am following these two tips to maintain iPhone battery health.
Some additional practices you should remember if you travel frequently and would like to take care of your iPhone Battery Health.
Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Avoid exposing your iPhone to extremely hot or cold temperatures, which can cause the battery to degrade faster.
Use Optimized Battery Charging: This feature, available in recent versions of iOS, learns your charging habits and slows down battery aging by preventing your iPhone from charging beyond 80% until you need to use it. Even though I don’t follow such an 80% charging limit personally, it’s Apple-recommended.
So you may follow if your usage suits the 80% charging practice well.
iOS Update: While it might seem counterintuitive, based on our discussion, updating your iOS can help your battery in the long run. Apple often includes battery life improvements, bug fixes, and security fixes in new updates.
Manage Background App Refresh and Location Services: Some apps use battery power by refreshing content in the background or using location services. You can save battery life by limiting these functions in the Settings app.
Battery Replacement: If your iPhone’s battery health is significantly degraded, consider replacing the battery. Apple offers battery replacement services that restore your phone’s battery life to its original capacity.
Also Read, Is iPhone WaterProof after Battery and Screen Replacement?
Following the above suggested charging practices, it takes 2.5 years to reach 100% to 80% battery health. According to your usage, you will charge your iPhone once or twice a day. So don’t worry about battery health; use the device as you need. Your iPhone Battery Health gradually reduces over months and reaches an 80% level around the 2.5 to 3 years maximum mark.
Then, we change the battery at the Apple service center to use the iPhone at peak performance once again.
In conclusion, while it’s normal for your iPhone’s battery health to decrease over time, understanding why and how to manage it can help you get the most out of your device. Following the tips above, you can maintain your iPhone’s battery health and ensure your phone stays powered up when needed.
