Ten Tips on How to Curb Your iPhone or iPad's Battery Usage
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Depending on how you use your iPhone or iPad throughout the day, your battery will last anywhere from just a few hours to several days. It's on those days when you're out and about and don't have time to recharge your iOS mobile device that you often need to rely on it the most.
Let's take a look at 10 tips and strategies that can help you conserve or extend your iPhone or iPad's battery life.
#1. Don't Rely Too Heavily on the Internet
Of all the tasks you can use your iPhone or iPad for, connecting to the Internet requires a lot of power, particularly when using a cellular data connection. To extend your device's battery life, refrain from surfing the Internet too much using Safari or continuously checking your email account(s) with the Mail app. If possible, connect to the Internet using Wi-Fi, or avoid Internet usage altogether.
#2. Turn Off the Vibrate Feature
The iPhone's vibrate feature that activates for incoming calls, text messages, and notifications, should be turned off to conserve battery life. To do this, launch Settings from the Home Screen and then tap on the Sounds option. From the Sounds menu, turn off the virtual switches associated with Vibrate On Ring and Vibrate On Silent.
#3. Turn Off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
If you have no Bluetooth devices (such as a headset or wireless speakers) connected to your iPhone or iPad, turn off the Bluetooth feature. To do this, launch Settings, tap the Bluetooth option, and then turn the virtual switch for the Bluetooth option to the off position. If you have a Bluetooth device paired with your device that you know you won't be using for a while, turning off Bluetooth on your phone or tablet is another way to conserve battery life.
Also, if you know you won't be connecting to a Wi-Fi hotspot or wireless network while using your iOS mobile device, turn off the Wi-Fi feature. To do this, launch Settings, tap the Wi-Fi option, and then turn off the virtual switch that's associated with the Wi-Fi option. Having your device continuously look for a wireless signal that isn't there drains the battery for no reason.
#4. Place Your Device in Airplane Mode When You Don't Need to Communicate
In situations when you know you won't be using your iPhone to make or receive calls, or you won't be using your iPhone or iPad to connect to the Internet, place the device into Airplane Mode. Do this when you know you're in an area where no wireless signal is available, for example. Otherwise, your iOS device will expend a lot of power continuously looking for a wireless signal that isn't there.
When boarding an airplane that is not equipped with Wi-Fi, place your phone or tablet into Airplane Mode so you can continue using the other features. To place your iPhone or iPad into Airplane Mode, launch Settings and turn on the virtual switch associated with Airplane Mode. It's displayed near the very top of the Settings menu screen.
Remember, when your iPhone is in Airplane Mode, you can't make or receive calls. Likewise, when your iPhone or iPad is in Airplane Mode, it can't access the Internet via a cellular data connection. You can, however, turn Wi-Fi back on manually while the device remains in Airplane Mode.
#5. Don't Use the Built-In Speakers
Using the iPhone or iPad's built-in speakers to play audio uses more battery power than plugging corded headphones into the device. Likewise, on the iPhone, avoid using the Speakerphone option when engaged in a phone call.
#6. Reduce Your Reliance on the Maps, Weather, and Stocks Apps
The Maps, Weather, and Stocks apps are examples of apps that heavily use the Internet in order to function. Since excessive Internet usage drains battery life faster, shutting down these apps when conserving battery power is important. Any app that continuously streams audio or video content from the Internet should be avoided as well.
#7. Don't Use Siri
Because Siri relies heavily on Internet access, using this feature will also deplete your battery life faster.
#8. Keep Your Conversations Short
On the iPhone, keep your phone conversations short since talking on the phone is one of the quickest ways to deplete battery life. If you're using Skype or FaceTime on your iOS mobile device, this too will drain the battery faster because heavy Internet usage is required.
Keep in mind that using a Bluetooth headset or the iPhone's built-in handset speaker uses less battery power than the speakerphone option.
#9. Invest in an Optional Battery Pack and/or Car Charger
For many people on the go, finding someplace to plug in your iPhone or iPad to charge it can be a challenge. One way around this is to invest in an optional external rechargeable battery pack that you can plug in to your iOS mobile device to keep it running for up to five times longer than what's possible using the device's built-in battery.
For the iPhone, several companies, including Mophie, offer phone cases with a built-in, ultra-slim battery. The Mophie Juice Pack Helium for the iPhone 5 ($79.95) weighs 2.44 ounces, measures 2.49" x 5.49" x 0.59", and serves as both a protective shell and battery pack for the phone—which doubles the iPhone's battery life.
There is also a wide range of external battery packs that can recharge an iPhone or an iPad available from companies such as Richard Solo ($69.95), Brookstone ($44.99), and NewTrent ($69.95-$79.95).
ePow, Eton Corporation, and Green Baba offer external, solar-powered chargers for the iPhone or iPad. Additionally, several companies offer car chargers for the iPhone or iPad that allow you to recharge your device while it's in use inside of a vehicle. You'll find an assortment of car chargers available from the Apple Store or Apple's website (http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/iphone_accessories/car_audio). They're typically priced around $40.00 and work with a car's power outlet.
#10. Always Carry the USB Cable and Power Adapter with You
While you're sitting at home or at your desk at work, it's easy to keep your iPhone or iPad plugged in and charging while it's being used. When on the go, however, plugging in the device into an electrical outlet and then waiting for it to charge isn't always feasible.
That being said, when you're out and about, keep the iPhone or iPad's USB charging cable and power adapter with you. If the battery runs low or dies, you can usually find an electrical outlet in a hotel lobby, restaurant, bookstore, coffee shop, or the waiting area of an airport, for example, where you can plug in and charge your device, even for a few minutes, to extend its battery life.
Using just the USB cable, you can also plug your phone or tablet into any laptop computer's USB port in order to recharge the device's battery.