While iOS 16 brings welcome improvements to the lock screen, system apps, notification management, and more, the latest update has been a nightmare for many. Users have been complaining about excessive battery drain on their iPhones after installing iOS 16 update. If you are among them, check out the troubleshooting tricks to fix the problem.
iOS 16 is a delight with lock screen customization, live wallpapers, notes add-ons, keyboard improvements, and other new features. However, they are irrelevant if your iPhone battery dies in just a few hours. You can use the following tricks to fix battery drain on your iPhone running iOS 16. And you don’t have to walk around with an AC adapter or power bank.
1. Don’t use live lock screen wallpapers
iOS 16 brings a redesigned background selection menu. Besides the new menu, you also have fresh wallpapers to apply on the lock screen and home screen. The choices include emoji wallpapers, solar systems, and even live weather images.
While live weather wallpapers look stunning, running in the background constantly consumes battery. You should choose a default wallpaper to save your phone’s battery.
Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll to Background.
Step 3: Tap Customize.
Step 4: It opens the lock screen or home screen customization menu.
Step 5: Choose any normal picture from Photos app and apply.
2. Don’t create dozens of lock screens
iOS 16 lets you create multiple lock screens. You can even assign focus profile, add widgets and change clock style for different lock screens. But you shouldn’t overdo it with dozens of lock screens on your iPhone. It can consume battery in the background resulting in miserable SOT (Screen On Time) on your iPhone.
If you have created many lock screens, use the following steps to delete irrelevant ones.
Step 1: Press the power button to open the lock screen.
Step 2: Long tap on your lock screen to open the customization menu.
Step 3: Swipe up on a lock screen and tap the delete button to remove it.
3. Disable the always-on display
Apple’s implementation of Always-On Display is far from complete. Instead of leaving some display pixels on, the system turns on the entire display at low brightness and a 1Hz refresh rate. It is one of the main culprits for battery drain in iOS 16 on iPhone 14 Pro series. Many have disabled the always-on display on their iPhones, resulting in better battery life.
Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone.
Step 2: Scroll to Display & Brightness.
Step 3: Open the always-on display.
Step 4: Disable it in the following menu.
4. Disable 5G Standalone
If your iPhone has 5G connectivity all the time, it can cause excessive battery drain. You need to switch the cellular mode to 5G Auto. Here’s how.
Step 1: Launch Settings on iPhone.
Step 2: Tap Cellular data.
Step 3: Select 5G Auto for your primary SIM card.
5. Close Live Activity apps after using them
Apps like Uber, Google Maps, and ESPN can use the Live Activity APIs in iOS 16 to show live data right on the lock screen. It’s helpful to have a look at the remaining cab time or NFL score without unlocking the phone. It consumes battery life. You must close such apps after using them.
6. Disable keyboard haptics
iOS 16 brings keyboard haptics to provide a better typing experience. You can disable it to save some battery juice.
Step 1: Open Settings on your iPhone.
Step 2: Select “Sound & Haptics”.
Step 3: Open Keyboard Feedback.
Step 4: Disable the “Haptics” switch in the following menu.
7. Use fewer lock screen widgets
Apple added lock screen widgets with the iOS 16 update. You can add up to four widgets to your lock screen. As these widgets are constantly running in the background to fetch new data, you may notice battery drain on your iPhone. You should use fewer widgets to put an end to abnormal battery consumption.
8. Update iOS software
Apple intends to improve the iOS 16 experience with new updates. iOS 16.2 allows disabling the wallpaper on the always-on display to save battery life. You can go to the “General” menu in Settings and open “Software Update” to install the upcoming iOS update.
Enjoy all-day battery life
If you still have battery drain issues in iOS 16, you can read our general post to improve battery life on your iPhone. Have you noticed the improvement in battery life on your iPhone? Share your findings in the comments below.
