11 Ways to Fix iOS 17 Battery Drain Issue on iPhone

If you have an eligible device, installing the latest iOS 17 update seems a no-brainer. However, if you have noticed an abnormal battery drain after the update, you’re not the only one. But is it a one-off issue? Or does iOS 17 consume more battery in general? Let us look in detail at how you can your iPhone’s iOS 17 battery drain issue.

Whenever your iPhone installs a new iOS version, it needs a while to re-build certain services to make your existing services and features compatible. However, this should only take a few days from the initial iOS update. If it’s taking longer, here are 11 ways to fix the iOS 17 battery drain issue on your iPhone.

1. Check for iOS Update

When new software versions are released to the public, there’s always a chance of certain features, settings, or bugs causing issues like higher-than-normal battery drain. To address these issues, Apple is usually prompt in releasing software updates, like the latest iOS 17.0.3, with necessary software fixes and security updates.

In this case, manually check and install the latest iOS update on your iPhone. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap on General.

Step 3: Here, tap on Software Update.

If an update is available, wait for it to finish installing. Then, use your device for a while and monitor the battery to see if there are any changes.

2. Check for App Updates

To stay compatible with the latest software changes, your apps must also be up-to-date. If not, certain apps might cause battery drain to work properly or hog system resources in general. In this case, check which apps are using a big chunk of battery and accordingly check for their updates. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Battery.

Step 2: Scroll through the apps and see details regarding their recent battery consumption.

For the apps that appear top most, check and see if any updates are currently pending. Install them and monitor the app usage using Battery settings to see if this helps.

3. Force Close and Restart iPhone

Restarting your device can help you fix any temporary system bugs or glitches that might be causing high battery drain. And since iPhones don’t have a restart option, you can force your device to shut down and restart it using the power button. Follow the below steps to do it.

Step 1: Turn off your device by following the below steps:

• For iPhone SE 1st gen, 5s, 5c, and 5: Long-press the top button.
• For iPhone SE 2nd gen onwards, 7, and 8: Long-press the side button.
• For iPhone X and above: Long-press the power and any volume button simultaneously.

Step 2: Here, drag the slider till the end to shut down the iPhone.

Step 3: Once done, long-press the power button until the Apple logo appears.

Now, try using your phone for a while and monitor the time between the next charges.

4. Check iOS 17 Features

iOS 17 offers new handy features like Live Voicemail, Check In, StandBy Mode, etc., along with updates to existing features like Live Activities. However, most of these features are known to strain your device’s battery life.

So, to stop the battery from draining on iOS 17, we recommend turning these features off unless required.

Also Read: iOS 17 hidden features that Apple didn’t tell you about

5. Check Battery Health

Regardless of which software you install on your device, your battery will drain if it’s in poor health. Low battery health refers to the deterioration of your device’s battery due to usage over time.

To check your iPhone’s battery health, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. Now, check the percentage for Maximum capacity. If it’s lower than 75%, it’s time for battery replacement from an authorized service center.

5. Enable Low Power Mode

Usually, Low Power Mode is automatically enabled once your device’s battery reaches the 20% threshold. However, you can also enable it manually. This will help you save battery regardless of your current battery percentage.

However, this might restrict certain iPhone features and functions. If you would still like to enable it, follow the below steps.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on Battery.

Step 2: Here, turn on the ‘Low Power Mode’ toggle.

This will enable Low Power Mode on your iPhone.

6. Turn Down Screen Brightness

If you’re no longer outdoors or streaming something, turning down your device’s brightness is good. This can help you save on battery life. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Pull down from the top-left corner of the screen. Or, if your device has a Home button, swipe up from the bottom of the screen.

Step 2: Once the Control Center opens, lower the brightness of your device using the slider.

If needed, use the above steps to turn up your device’s brightness later.

7. Turn Off Background App Refresh

Your apps can fetch the latest information, even when they’ve been dormant in the background, due to the background app refresh feature. However, this also means your device’s battery and resources are being used when you’re not actively using your phone.

To ensure this does not happen, turn off background app refresh to save on battery life. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your device.

Step 2: Scroll down and tap on General.

Step 3: Tap on ‘Background App Refresh’.

Step 4: Again, tap on ‘Background App Refresh’.

Step 5: Tap on Off.

8. Periodically Clear Background Apps

Having the recent or most used apps open in the background can help you easily switch between them. However, doing this causes your device’s battery to drain faster. In this case, you can periodically clear all background apps. This will also help the apps to function smoothly and without issues in the long run. Here’s how.

Step 1: Swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Or, if your device has a Home button, double-press it to open all the background apps.

Step 2: Here, swipe up and clear all the apps.

Step 3: Now, tap on the app icon for the apps you want to open separately.

However, whenever you notice a higher-than-normal battery drain, close all background apps.

9. Disable Raise to Wake

When enabled, the Raise to Wake feature automatically turns on your device’s screen once it detects movement. This is handy as it gives you a quick view of your lock screen. However, this can also lead to iPhone battery drain as your device constantly needs to check for movement and turn on the device screen.

So, turn this feature off to preserve battery life on your iPhone. Here’s how.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on ‘Display & Brightness’.

Step 2: Scroll down and turn off the toggle for ‘Raise to Wake’.

10. Check Location Services

Be it the food delivery app tracking your order or Uber showing your cab location, they use your device’s location services to display accurate information. However, this, combined with other apps, can end up causing your iOS 17 device to drain the battery.

Hence, you can turn off location services on your device when they’re not in use. Follow the below steps to do it.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on ‘Privacy & Security’.

Step 2: Tap on Location Services.

Step 3: Turn off the toggle for Location Services.

This is also a great way to ensure apps don’t have unrestricted access to your device’s location data. However, you can turn the location services back on using the above steps if required.

11. Enable Dark Mode Systemwide

Dark Mode cannot only help protect your eyes but also save on battery life. This can be helpful if you can’t correctly charge your device. Here’s how to do it.

Step 1: Open Settings and tap on ‘Display & Brightness’.

Step 2: Tap on Dark.

Once your device is sufficiently charged, you can turn off Dark Mode on your iPhone as required.

Stop Battery Drain in iOS 17

With every recent iOS update, battery problems seem to be a common denominator. So, we hope this article helped you fix the iOS 17 battery drain issue on your iPhone. You can also check out our explainer to resolve general battery drain issues on your iPhone.