How to Solve Battery Drain or Rapid Discharge Issues in iPhone 16

Hi friends, Jessica here 👋. As a busy mom and marketing manager, my iPhone is basically my third child. I use it for everything — school updates on ClassDojo, work Slack messages, grocery lists on Instacart, FaceTiming my kids when I’m traveling, and snapping hundreds of family photos. That’s why when my iPhone 16 battery started draining faster than expected, I knew I had to figure it out.

Battery drain is one of the most common complaints for any smartphone, especially after a big iOS update or when a new iPhone hits the market. Luckily, most of the fixes don’t require a trip to the Apple Store. After some research (and trial and error with my own phone), I’ve put together a list of practical steps that help solve rapid battery drain and keep your iPhone running longer between charges.

1. Check Battery Usage Stats

The first step is to find out what’s eating your battery.

How to check:

• Go to Settings > Battery.
• Scroll to Battery Usage by App.

Here, you’ll see if TikTok, Instagram, or another app is running wild in the background. For me, Instagram was draining 22% even though I only used it for a few minutes that morning.

2. Update to the Latest iOS

Apple frequently fixes bugs that cause battery drain in iOS updates.

To update:

• Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
• Download and install if available.

I noticed improved battery life right after an update in September.

3. Turn On Low Power Mode

This is my go-to quick fix when I know I’ll be out all day with the kids and away from a charger.

To enable:

• Go to Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode, or
• Swipe down and tap the battery icon in Control Center.

It reduces background refresh, mail fetch, and visual effects — all of which help your battery last longer.

4. Manage Background App Refresh

Apps updating in the background can drain your phone even while you’re not actively using them.

How to fix it:

• Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
• Turn it Off or limit it to Wi-Fi only.

I turned it off for social media apps, and it made a noticeable difference.

5. Limit Location Services

GPS is one of the biggest battery hogs. While it’s necessary for maps, many apps request location access unnecessarily.

Steps:

• Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
• Set apps like Facebook, Instagram, or weather apps to While Using the App.

6. Check Push Email & Notifications

If your email is set to “Push,” your iPhone is constantly pinging servers for updates. That drains power quickly.

Fix:

• Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data.
• Switch from Push to Fetch every 15 or 30 minutes, or manual.

Also, limit unnecessary notifications (Settings > Notifications). I turned off constant retail promo alerts and saved both battery and sanity.

7. Optimize Screen Settings

Your display is another major battery consumer.

• Lower screen brightness via Control Center.
• Enable Auto-Brightness in Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
• Turn on Dark Mode (Settings > Display & Brightness).

My phone feels cooler and lasts longer with Dark Mode on.

8. Avoid Overheating

Heat accelerates battery drain.

• Don’t leave your iPhone in a hot car.
• Remove the case while charging if it feels too warm.
• Avoid heavy gaming or video editing while plugged in.

I once left mine charging on a sunny windowsill — lesson learned!

9. Disable Always-On Features When Not Needed

Features like Airdrop, Bluetooth, and even 5G can drain your battery if you don’t need them.

Quick tip: Swipe down into Control Center and toggle them off when not in use.

10. Reduce Widgets and Background Activity

Widgets are convenient, but constantly refreshing ones (like weather or stocks) drain more power.

Try removing unused widgets:

• Long press the Home Screen.
• Tap “–” to delete widgets you don’t need.

11. Reset Settings if Necessary

If your battery is draining abnormally fast after trying everything, reset your system settings.

Steps:

• Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.

Don’t worry — it won’t delete personal data, but you’ll need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords.

12. Battery Health Check

Over time, battery performance naturally degrades.

Check health:

• Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging.
• If Maximum Capacity is below 80%, consider a battery replacement.

AppleCare+ or an Apple Store appointment can help if it’s serious.

13. Practical Charging Habits

How you charge matters.

• Keep your battery between 20–80% for optimal health.
• Avoid leaving it at 100% overnight every day.
• Use Optimized Battery Charging (Settings > Battery).

I plug mine in during dinner prep, and it’s ready before bedtime.

Final Thoughts

The iPhone 16 is a powerhouse, but even the best devices can suffer from battery drain or rapid discharge issues. The key is figuring out whether the culprit is a misbehaving app, background process, or just habits that can be tweaked.

For me, the biggest improvements came from:

• Turning off background app refresh,
• Reducing location services,
• And switching email from Push to Fetch.

Now, I can get through a full day of work, errands, and kid chaos without scrambling for my charger.

Remember: a healthy battery means a healthier iPhone. With a few adjustments, you can maximize your iPhone 16’s battery life and make sure it’s ready for whatever your busy day throws at you.