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2 iPhone Settings That Could Be Draining Your Battery Without You Realizing It

August 27, 2026 by Abigail Connolly
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If your iPhone battery seems to be disappearing faster than usual, you might not need a new phone just yet.

There are a lot of things that can contribute to a draining iPhone battery, but there are also some things that aren’t as well known as others. For instance, a few settings could be quietly working in the background and using more battery than you realize. Luckily, there are some simple adjustments you can make to help your iPhone hold a charge for longer. Read more about two settings worth checking out below.

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1. Background App Refresh

Background App Refresh lets apps update their content even when you aren't actively using them. While convenient, having it enabled for too many apps can contribute to battery drain because your iPhone is regularly doing work in the background.

 

"The biggest hidden drain is Background App Refresh," explains tech expert and store owner Steven Athwal. "If it's enabled, it'll update your apps even if you aren't using them. Social media, email, and news apps can repeatedly check for updates throughout the day, which keeps the phone's processor and network active. Turning this off for non-essential apps can really reduce passive battery drain."

2. Push Notifications

Push notifications can also chip away at your battery, especially if you're getting frequent alerts throughout the day. Every notification requires your iPhone to wake up, light up the screen, or otherwise process the alert, so turning off unnecessary notifications can help cut down on battery use.

 

"Every push notification wakes your screen, uses network activity, and may trigger background processes," notes tech pro Keith Harvey. "If dozens of apps are constantly sending notifications, your phone is repeatedly 'waking up,' which adds up over time. Reducing notifications to only essential apps helps cut down on these small but frequent battery drains."

Author:

Editorial Assistant

Abigail is a journalist based in Brooklyn, New York. As an Editorial Assistant for SheFinds, she covers topics ranging from celebrity news and fashion to wellness. She has written for other publications, including Chip Chick, Bandsintown, BroadwayWorld, and more. When she isn't writing, Abigail loves spending time in the city with her friends, being a 'dog mom' to her Chihuahua, and singing along to some of her favorite music.

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