How To Check Iphone Battery Health

The battery in an iPhone, like all lithium-ion batteries, degrades over time with regular use. Over the years, Apple has introduced tools to help users monitor battery health and performance, allowing you to know when it's time to take steps to extend its life or replace it. Checking your iPhone’s battery health is essential for ensuring it performs optimally. Here’s a complete guide on how to check, understand, and manage battery health on your iPhone.

Understanding iPhone Battery Health

The Battery Health section in iOS provides insights into the performance and capacity of your iPhone’s battery.

It shows details on:

1. Maximum Capacity: This percentage reflects the battery’s health relative to when it was new. A new battery starts at 100%, and over time, the number decreases.

2. Peak Performance Capability: This section indicates whether your iPhone’s battery can still deliver peak performance, or if it’s being throttled to prevent unexpected shutdowns.

Regularly checking battery health helps you assess if the battery is still in good condition, or if performance issues might be resolved with a replacement.

How to Check Battery Health on iPhone

To check your iPhone’s battery health:

1. Open Settings: Tap the Settings app on your iPhone.

2. Go to Battery: Scroll down and tap on Battery.

3. Check Battery Health & Charging: Tap Battery Health & Charging to view your iPhone’s battery health information.

What You’ll See in Battery Health & Charging:

1. Maximum Capacity: This percentage represents the current capacity of your battery compared to when it was new. For example, a 90% maximum capacity means your battery holds 90% of the original full charge.

2. Peak Performance Capability: Indicates whether the battery is capable of supporting maximum performance. If performance management has been applied (e.g., due to a previous unexpected shutdown), you’ll see a message here.

Maximum Capacity and What It Means

The Maximum Capacity percentage indicates the current capacity of your iPhone’s battery in relation to when it was new.

1. 100% - 80%: The battery is still in good health and should deliver solid performance.

2. 79% and below: When capacity drops below 80%, iOS will display a message suggesting you may want to replace the battery for the best performance.

An iPhone battery is considered to be at the end of its usable life once it hits around 80% capacity. At this point, it may not hold a charge as well, which may result in needing to charge your phone more frequently.

Peak Performance Capability Explained

Under Peak Performance Capability, iOS will let you know if your battery is still able to support maximum performance, or if performance management has been enabled to prevent unexpected shutdowns.

1. Normal Performance: If your battery is working well, it will say Your battery is currently supporting normal peak performance.

2. Performance Management Enabled: This message appears if your iPhone has experienced an unexpected shutdown due to battery issues. iOS will limit performance to prevent future shutdowns.

3. Battery Health Degraded: If your battery health has significantly declined, iOS may suggest that you replace the battery. You’ll see a message saying Your battery’s health is significantly degraded.

Optimized Battery Charging

To preserve battery health over time, Apple introduced Optimized Battery Charging in iOS 13. This feature learns your charging habits and reduces the time your iPhone spends fully charged.

How to Enable Optimized Battery Charging:

1. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.

2. Toggle on Optimized Battery Charging.

Optimized Battery Charging slows down the charging rate when your iPhone reaches 80% and charges the rest just before you usually wake up, reducing the time spent at 100% and extending the overall battery lifespan.

Signs Your iPhone Battery May Need Replacement

In addition to checking Battery Health, watch for these common signs that your iPhone’s battery may need replacing:

1. Rapid battery drain: If your battery percentage drops quickly, even with light use, it might be time for a replacement.

2. Unexpected shutdowns: Your iPhone may shut down unexpectedly when the battery is weak, especially in cold conditions.

3. Slow performance: Older batteries can’t always keep up with performance demands, leading to slower app loading and lag.

If you’re experiencing any of these issues, it’s likely that your battery health is low or performance management has been enabled, impacting your iPhone’s functionality.

Ways to Extend Battery Health on iPhone

Proactively managing your iPhone’s battery can help you extend its lifespan and maintain performance over time.

Enable Low Power Mode

1. Open Settings > Battery.

2. Toggle on Low Power Mode.

Low Power Mode reduces background activity, such as mail fetch and background app refresh, to conserve power and extend battery life.

Reduce Screen Brightness and Use Auto-Brightness

1. Go to Settings > Display & Brightness.

2. Adjust Brightness to a lower setting.

3. Toggle on Auto-Brightness to adjust screen brightness based on your surroundings.

Minimize Background App Refresh

1. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.

2. Select Off or limit Background App Refresh to Wi-Fi only.

Reducing unnecessary app refresh helps save battery and prevent quick depletion.

Limit Location Services

1. Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services.

2. Set apps to While Using the App rather than Always to conserve battery.

Frequently Asked Questions About Battery Health

How Often Should I Check My Battery Health?

Checking battery health every few months is generally a good practice, especially if your device is over a year old. Regular checks help you track any declines and avoid performance issues.

What Does Apple Say About Battery Replacement?

Apple generally recommends replacing the battery when it drops below 80% maximum capacity, as performance issues are likely to start at that point.

Does Wireless Charging Affect Battery Health?

Wireless charging doesn’t directly harm battery health. However, keeping your device on a wireless charger after reaching 100% may generate excess heat, which can degrade the battery. Optimized Battery Charging can help minimize this effect by limiting how long the battery remains fully charged.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace the iPhone Battery?

Battery replacement costs vary by model. Generally, Apple charges around $49 to $69, but it’s best to check Apple’s official website or visit an Apple Store for the latest pricing and warranty coverage.

When to Consider Professional Battery Replacement

If your battery health has dropped significantly (below 80%) and you’re experiencing frequent shutdowns or performance issues, it may be time to consider a professional replacement. Replacing the battery can revive your iPhone’s performance and extend its useful life.

Apple and authorized service providers can replace your iPhone battery. If your iPhone is under warranty or has AppleCare+, a battery replacement may even be covered.

Additional Tips for Monitoring and Managing Battery Health

1. Check Battery Usage by App: In Settings > Battery, scroll down to see which apps are consuming the most power. Reducing usage of high-drain apps can help maintain battery health.

2. Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Keep your iPhone within a safe temperature range (32° to 95°F, or 0° to 35°C). High heat can damage battery health over time.

3. Update Your Software: Apple often includes battery optimizations in iOS updates, so it’s essential to keep your iPhone updated for improved battery performance.

Conclusion

Checking and maintaining your iPhone’s battery health is essential to keep it performing at its best. Regularly reviewing the Maximum Capacity and Peak Performance Capability can help you identify potential issues early. Using Optimized Battery Charging, Low Power Mode, and other battery-saving strategies, you can extend the life of your iPhone battery and avoid frequent replacements. By following these steps, you can ensure your iPhone serves you efficiently for years to come.