iPhone Battery Health: What You Need to Know

Introduction

An iPhone is only as useful as its battery life.  From the very first iPhone, users have been swapping tips on how to optimize iPhone battery life and battery lifespan over time to get more performance from every charge. We’ve learned a lot about phone batteries from working together to make iPhones last longer, but eventually, it’s important to know when to have your iPhone battery replaced. If you need troubleshooting because your iPhone is slow or not charging at all read our article for those solutions first.

That’s why Apple introduced the iPhone Battery Health feature that has become a fixture in iOS device settings. Today, we’re walking through the Battery Health feature, how to get the best iPhone battery performance, and when to replace your iPhone battery. If you’re rather not improve your battery health, considering upgrading your device, you can also sell your iPhone to us.

What is iPhone Battery Health?

iPhone Battery Health is a feature added in iOS version 11.3, released in 2018. If your phone is not yet version 11.3 or higher, then it’s time to update your software. The Battery Health feature can be found in the Settings menu and will give you basic, useful information about the overall health and performance of your iPhone’s battery.

From the iPhone Battery Health dashboard, you can keep track of your phone’s battery to help optimize performance and identify the right time to get your iPhone battery replaced.

The three dashboard items in your Battery Health tool are Maximum Capacity, Peak Performance Capability, and a toggle to Optimize Battery Charging

Maximum Capacity

Maximum capacity is the efficiency of your battery since your phone came out of the factory. Batteries typically lose efficiency over time, which explains why an old phone battery will hold less and less charge.

Optimal phone performance is between 100% and 80% maximum capacity.

Peak Performance Capability

Most of the time, this will include a message saying your iPhone is capable of peak performance. Sometimes, if you experienced a recent crash, you may see a message saying your battery was “unable to deliver the necessary peak power.” The second message means your phone has automatically turned on performance management, and the battery should be replaced soon.

Optimized Battery Charging

Toggling this option will prevent your phone from charging over 80% in order to protect the battery and increase your overall battery lifespan. This option is ideal if your phone is charging most of the time, and if you want to charge up overnight, but may be turned off if you plan to travel and need 100% charge when you depart.

How to Check Your iPhone Battery Health

• Settings > Battery Health.

You can find your iPhone Battery Health dashboard by navigating to iPhone Settings. Then scroll down until you see Battery Health and select this option. This will show you some basic information and you can tap to investigate further or change your battery performance settings.

Is 75% Overall a Good Battery Health?

• Yes and No

When looking at your Battery Health page, the most obvious factor is the Maximum Capacity percentage. 100% is factory-fresh, and iPhones can run extremely well with batteries as low as 80% performance in Maximum Capacity.

If your iPhone’s battery health has slipped to 75% or below, it will still perform well. However, you can expect further degradation and may see lower numbers and worse performance in the near future.

Battery Health Percentage to Replace iPhone Battery, According to Apple

At what Battery Health percentage should you replace your iPhone battery? You will start noticing a significant drop in performance between 75% and 60%.

If your iPhone battery health percentage drops below 80% within the duration of your warranty – usually about one year – then Apple will replace the battery.

How Long an iPhone Battery Can Last

A new, 100%-80% capacity iPhone battery can hold a charge for 8-20 hours, depending on how it’s used. Sitting off in your pocket, it can last all day. Playing games and movies, it will last about a third of the day without a power source.

It usually takes about two years before you start to see any significant drop in iPhone battery performance. An iPhone that has been lightly used with good battery care can hold onto its original battery for up to five years, and heavy use or constant charge extremes can require an early iPhone battery replacement. If you feel that no battery will prove the health of your device, you can also sell your device to us.

Tips to Extend iPhone Battery Life & Lifespan

How do you maximize the performance if an iPhone battery?

• Avoid full charge or full drain
• Don’t charge overnight
• Use a dimmer screen
• Switch off location services
• Turn on Optimized Battery Charging
• Use an original or approved Apple charger
• Close apps and unused features
• Avoid extreme temperatures
• Use the right phone case
• Keep your software updated
• Replace the battery on time

For more information checkout our other article: Maximizing Your iPhone’s Battery Settings

Does AppleCare+ Cover Battery Replacement?

If you still have AppleCare+ at the time your iPhone battery drops below 80% maximum capacity, then yes. Your battery replacement can and probably should be included in AppleCare+ warranty coverage.

If your iPhone is out of warranty, you will need to ship it to the nearest repair location and or visit an Apple store, the repair will cost $89. You may also be charged for any additional repairs made, or required to have the phone repaired other than the battery before sending it in.

How Can I Change my iPhone Battery?

If you are confident with phone repairs and have an iPhone repair kit (tiny screwdrivers, frame separate, etc) then you can DIY an iPhone battery replacement. However, this is not recommended for inexperienced technicians. iPhones are delicate and just opening the case can put your components at risk. Especially if your iPhone battery is swollen!

You will need to delicately remove tiny screws, pry open the case, gently lift the securing tabs, use tweezers to extract the pull tabs, and finally lift out the battery. Replacing it requires an equally delicate reinstallation.

For more information on how to get the best performance from your iPhone battery and when to replace it, check out our in-depth article, “When Your iPhone Just Won’t Cooperate: Solutions For Frozen or Unresponsive Screens.”