Are you frustrated with your iPhone’s battery constantly draining even when it’s plugged in? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many iPhone users face this issue, and it can be quite frustrating. But fear not, we have compiled a comprehensive guide to help you fix this problem once and for all. In this article, we will provide you with step-by-step instructions and valuable tips to resolve the issue of a decreasing battery while charging your iPhone. So, let’s dive in!
Check the Charging Cable and Adapter
The first step in troubleshooting a decreasing battery while charging your iPhone is to check the charging cable and adapter. Ensure that there are no visible signs of damage or fraying on the cable. Inspect the charging port on your iPhone as well, looking for any debris or dirt that might be obstructing the connection. If you notice any issues, try cleaning the port gently with a soft brush or compressed air. Additionally, try using a different charging cable and adapter to see if the problem persists.
Inspect for Damage or Fraying
Examine the charging cable from end to end, looking for any signs of damage or fraying. If you notice any exposed wires or broken insulation, it’s a clear indication that the cable is faulty. In such cases, it’s essential to replace the cable with a new one to ensure a proper charging connection and prevent any potential battery draining issues.
Clean the Charging Port
Overtime, dust, lint, or debris can accumulate in the charging port of your iPhone, hindering the connection between the cable and the device. To clean the charging port, use a soft brush or compressed air to gently remove any dirt or debris. Be careful not to use any sharp objects that could damage the port. Cleaning the port will ensure a secure connection between the cable and your iPhone, allowing for efficient charging and preventing battery drain.
Try a Different Charging Cable and Adapter
If you suspect that your current charging cable or adapter might be faulty, try using a different one. Borrow a cable and adapter from a friend or family member, or purchase a new one. Using a different cable and adapter will help you determine if the issue lies with the accessories rather than your iPhone. If the battery no longer drains when using a different cable and adapter, it’s clear that you need to replace your original ones.
Use a Genuine Apple Charging Cable and Adapter
Using non-genuine charging cables and adapters can cause compatibility issues and result in battery drain problems. It’s crucial to use genuine Apple accessories to ensure optimal charging performance and prevent any potential damage to your iPhone’s battery. Genuine Apple cables and adapters are designed specifically for your device and undergo rigorous testing to meet Apple’s quality standards. Investing in original accessories will provide you with peace of mind and a reliable charging experience.
Why Genuine Apple Accessories Matter
Apple’s charging cables and adapters are engineered to deliver the correct voltage and current to your iPhone, ensuring safe and efficient charging. Non-genuine accessories may not provide the necessary power output, leading to slow charging or even battery drain issues. Moreover, counterfeit cables and adapters may not have the same built-in safety features as genuine ones, posing a potential risk to your device. Therefore, it’s always recommended to purchase and use authentic Apple accessories.
Identifying Genuine Apple Accessories
To ensure that you’re purchasing genuine Apple accessories, it’s important to buy from authorized retailers or the official Apple Store. Look for the “Made for iPhone” or “MFi” logo on the packaging, which indicates that the accessory has been certified by Apple. Additionally, check for the unique Apple serial number on the cable itself. If you’re unsure about the authenticity of a product, you can also verify it on Apple’s official website using the serial number. By obtaining and using genuine Apple accessories, you can safeguard your iPhone’s battery health and charging efficiency.
Restart Your iPhone
If you’re experiencing a decreasing battery while charging your iPhone, a simple restart can often resolve the issue. Restarting your iPhone clears out temporary files, refreshes system processes, and can eliminate any software glitches that might be causing the battery drain problem. To restart your iPhone, follow these steps:
Step 1: Power Off Your iPhone
Press and hold the power button (located on the side or top of your device, depending on the model) until the “Slide to power off” slider appears on the screen.
Step 2: Slide to Power Off
Swipe the slider from left to right to power off your iPhone. Wait for a few seconds until the device completely shuts down.
Step 3: Power On Your iPhone
Press and hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears on the screen. Release the button, and your iPhone will start up.
Step 4: Check for Battery Drain
After your iPhone restarts, plug it into the charger and observe if the battery drain issue persists. In many cases, a simple restart can fix temporary software glitches and restore normal charging behavior.
Update iOS to the Latest Version
Software updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can resolve battery drain issues. Apple regularly releases iOS updates to address known issues and enhance device performance. If you’re experiencing a decreasing battery while charging your iPhone, it’s crucial to ensure that you’re running the latest iOS version. To check for updates and install the latest iOS version, follow these steps:
Step 1: Connect to Wi-Fi
Ensure that your iPhone is connected to a Wi-Fi network. Software updates can be large in size, so it’s recommended to download them over a Wi-Fi connection to avoid excessive data usage.
Step 2: Open Settings
Go to the “Settings” app on your iPhone’s home screen. It’s represented by a gear icon.
Step 3: General
Scroll down and tap on “General,” which is usually located near the top of the list.
Step 4: Software Update
In the “General” settings, look for “Software Update” and tap on it. Your iPhone will check for available updates.
Step 5: Download and Install
If an update is available, tap on “Download and Install.” Make sure that your iPhone has sufficient battery life or is connected to a charger during the update process. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.
Step 6: Check for Battery Drain
After updating your iPhone to the latest iOS version, monitor if the battery drain issue persists while charging. In most cases, updating the software can resolve any software-related bugs or glitches that might be contributing to the problem.
Close Background Apps
Background apps can consume a significant amount of battery power, even when your iPhone is plugged in and charging. It’s essential to close unnecessary apps running in the background to reduce battery drain and optimize charging performance. Follow these steps to close background apps on your iPhone:
Step 1: Access the App Switcher
Double-press the home button (or swipe up from the bottom on iPhones without a home button) to access the app switcher. This will display all the recently used apps on your device.
Step 2: Swipe Up to Close Apps
Swipe left or right to navigate through the list of open apps. To close an app, swipe it up and off the screen. Keep swiping up until you have closed all unnecessary apps.
Step 3: Check for Battery Drain
Once you have closed all background apps, plug your iPhone into the charger and observe if the battery drain issue persists. By closing unnecessary apps, you can prevent them from consuming battery power in the background, resulting in more efficient charging.
Disable Unnecessary Features
Some features and settings on your iPhone can contribute to battery drain, especially when your device is charging. Disabling unnecessary features can help conserve battery power and prevent the battery from decreasing while charging. Here are a few features to consider disabling:
Location Services
Location Services allow apps on your iPhone to access your device’s GPS and provide location-based services. While useful, this feature can drain your battery rapidly, especially if multiple apps are actively using your location. To disable Location Services, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Settings
Go to the “Settings” app on your iPhone’s home screen.
Step 2: Privacy
Scroll down and tap on “Privacy,” which is usually located near the top of the list.
Step 3: Location Services
In the “Privacy” settings, tap on “Location Services.” You’ll see a list of apps that have requested access to your location.
Step 4: Disable Location Services
To disable Location Services completely, toggle the switch at the top of the screen. Alternatively, you can individually choose which apps can access your location by selecting them from the list and choosing “Never” or “While Using the App.”
Background App Refresh
Background App Refresh allows apps to update their content and data in the background, even when you’re not actively using them. While this feature can be convenient, it can also drain your battery unnecessarily. To disable Background App Refresh, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Settings
Go to the “Settings” app on your iPhone’s home screen.
Step 2: General
Scroll down and tap on “General,” usually located near the top of the list.
Step 3: Background App Refresh
In the “General” settings, tap on “Background App Refresh.”
Step 4: Disable Background App Refresh
To disable Background App Refresh completely, toggle the switch at the top of the screen. Alternatively, you can individually choose which apps can refresh in the background by selecting them from the list and choosing “Off.”
Automatic Downloads
Automatic Downloads allow your iPhone to automatically download new content, such as apps, music, and books, across all your devices logged into the same Apple ID. While convenient, this feature can consume a significant amount of battery power. To disable Automatic Downloads, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Settings
Go to the “Settings” app on your iPhone’s home screen.
Step 2: App Store
Scroll down and tap on “App Store,” usually located towards the middle of the list.
Step 3: Automatic Downloads
In the “App Store” settings, you’ll find the “Automatic Downloads” section.
Step 4: Disable Automatic Downloads
To disable Automatic Downloads completely, toggle the switches for “Apps,” “Updates,” and “Books” to the off position.
Check for Battery Drain
After disabling these unnecessary features, plug your iPhone into the charger and observe if the battery drain issue persists. By turning off location services, background app refresh, and automatic downloads, you can minimize battery consumption and optimize charging efficiency.
Disable Push Email and Fetch New Data
Constantly checking for new emails and syncing data in real-time can put a strain on your iPhone’s battery, even when it’s charging. Disabling push email and adjusting data fetching settings can help conserve battery power and prevent battery drain while charging. Here’s how you can do it:
Disable Push Email
Push email allows your iPhone to receive new emails instantly as they arrive in your inbox. While convenient, this feature can drain your battery quickly, especially if you receive a high volume of emails. To disable push email, follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Settings
Go to the “Settings” app on your iPhone’s home screen.
Step 2: Mail
Scroll down and tap on “Mail,” usually located towards the middle of the list.
Step 3: Accounts
In the “Mail” settings, tap on “Accounts.” You’ll see a list of email accounts configured on your iPhone.
Step 4: Fetch New Data
Tap on an email account to access its settings. Scroll down and tap on “Fetch New Data.”
Step 5: Disable Push
In the “Fetch New Data” settings, toggle the switch for “Push” to the off position. This will disable push email for the selected account.
Fetch New Data Manually or on a Schedule
If you prefer not to disable push email entirely, you can adjust the data fetching settings to fetch new data manually or on a schedule. This way, your iPhone won’t constantly check for new emails, conserving battery power. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Open Settings
Go to the “Settings” app on your iPhone’s home screen.
Step 2: Mail
Scroll down and tap on “Mail,” usually located towards the middle of the list.
Step 3: Accounts
In the “Mail” settings, tap on “Accounts.” You’ll see a list of email accounts configured on your iPhone.
Step
Step 4: Fetch New Data
Tap on an email account to access its settings. Scroll down and tap on “Fetch New Data.”
Step 5: Select Fetch Schedule
In the “Fetch New Data” settings, you can choose between different options for fetching new data. Select “Manually” if you want to fetch new data only when you open the Mail app. Alternatively, you can select a specific fetch schedule, such as every 15 minutes, every 30 minutes, or hourly.
Step 6: Check for Battery Drain
After disabling push email or adjusting the fetch schedule, plug your iPhone into the charger and observe if the battery drain issue persists. By reducing the frequency of email syncing, you can conserve battery power and prevent unnecessary drain while your device is charging.
Reset All Settings
If you have tried all the previous steps and are still experiencing a decreasing battery while charging your iPhone, resetting all settings can help resolve any misconfigurations or software-related issues that might be causing the problem. It’s important to note that resetting all settings will not erase your data, but it will revert all settings back to their default values. Follow these steps to reset all settings on your iPhone:
Step 1: Open Settings
Go to the “Settings” app on your iPhone’s home screen.
Step 2: General
Scroll down and tap on “General,” which is usually located near the top of the list.
Step 3: Reset
In the “General” settings, scroll to the bottom and tap on “Reset.”
Step 4: Reset All Settings
Among the reset options, tap on “Reset All Settings.” You may be prompted to enter your passcode or Apple ID password for verification.
Step 5: Confirm Reset
A warning message will appear, stating that this action will reset all settings back to their default values. Tap on “Reset All Settings” to confirm.
Step 6: Check for Battery Drain
After resetting all settings, reconnect your iPhone to the charger and observe if the battery drain issue persists. Resetting all settings can help eliminate any software-related misconfigurations that might be impacting the charging behavior of your device.
Calibrate Your Battery
Calibrating your iPhone’s battery can help resolve battery drain issues and ensure accurate battery level readings. Over time, the battery’s software might lose track of its actual capacity, leading to inaccurate battery percentage indications and unexpected drain. Calibrating the battery can recalibrate the software and provide more accurate readings. Here’s how you can calibrate your iPhone’s battery:
Step 1: Charge to 100%
Plug your iPhone into the charger and charge it to 100%. Keep it connected to the charger even after reaching 100% until the battery icon on the screen shows that it’s fully charged.
Step 2: Use Until Fully Drained
Once your iPhone is fully charged, use it as you normally would until the battery drains completely and your device shuts down. You can play games, watch videos, or use any battery-intensive apps to expedite the draining process.
Step 3: Wait and Recharge
After your iPhone turns off, wait for a few hours before recharging it. This waiting period allows the battery’s software to recalibrate and obtain accurate readings. During this time, avoid turning on your iPhone or attempting to charge it.
Step 4: Recharge to 100%
After waiting for a few hours, plug your iPhone back into the charger and charge it to 100% without interruption. Again, keep it connected to the charger even after reaching 100% until the battery icon indicates a full charge.
Step 5: Check for Battery Drain
Once you’ve completed the calibration process, reconnect your iPhone to the charger and observe if the battery drain issue persists. Calibrating the battery can help recalibrate the software and provide more accurate battery readings, potentially resolving any battery drain problems.
Visit an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider
If you have followed all the troubleshooting steps mentioned in this guide and your iPhone’s battery is still draining while charging, it’s recommended to seek professional assistance. Visiting an Apple Store or an authorized service provider will allow trained technicians to diagnose and address any underlying hardware issues that may be causing the problem. They have access to specialized tools and resources to accurately diagnose the root cause of the battery drain and provide appropriate solutions. Reach out to Apple support or use the Apple Support app to schedule an appointment or inquire about additional support options.
Top 7-10 Q&A: How to Fix Decreasing Battery While Charging iPhone
Q: Why is my iPhone battery draining while charging?
A: There can be various reasons for this issue, such as a faulty charging cable or adapter, software glitches, background apps consuming excessive battery, enabled features draining the battery, incorrect email settings, settings misconfiguration, battery calibration issue, or even a hardware problem. It’s essential to follow the troubleshooting steps mentioned in this guide to identify and resolve the specific cause of your iPhone’s battery draining issue.
Q: How can I check if my charging cable or adapter is faulty?
A: To determine if your charging cable or adapter is the culprit, try using a different cable or adapter. If the battery stops draining when you switch to a different cable or adapter, it’s a clear indication that the original one is faulty. Consider replacing it with a new one from a reliable source to ensure optimal charging performance.
Q: Should I use non-genuine charging accessories?
A: It is highly recommended to use genuine Apple charging accessories for your iPhone. Non-genuine accessories may not be compatible or may not provide the necessary power output, leading to battery drain issues. Investing in original accessories will ensure a reliable and safe charging experience for your iPhone.
Q: How can I calibrate my iPhone’s battery?
A: Calibrating your iPhone’s battery can help resolve battery drain issues. To do this, fully charge your iPhone to 100% and then use it until it completely drains and shuts down. Once it’s turned off, leave it for a few hours, and then charge it back to 100% without interruption. This process will recalibrate the battery’s software, providing more accurate battery readings and potentially resolving the draining issue.
Q: What should I do if none of the troubleshooting steps work?
A: If you have followed all the steps mentioned in this guide and your iPhone’s battery is still draining while charging, it’s recommended to visit an Apple Store or an authorized service provider. They have the expertise to diagnose and address any underlying hardware issues that may be causing the problem.
Q: Can software updates fix battery drain issues?
A: Yes, software updates often include bug fixes and improvements that can address battery drain problems. It’s crucial to keep your iPhone’s iOS up to date by regularly installing the latest software updates released by Apple. These updates often contain optimizations that can improve battery performance and resolve any known issues.
Q: How can I prevent background apps from draining my battery?
A: To prevent background apps from draining your iPhone’s battery, make sure to close unnecessary apps running in the background. You can access the app switcher by double-pressing the home button (or swiping up from the bottom on iPhones without a home button) and swipe left or right to navigate through the list of open apps. To close an app, swipe it up and off the screen. Additionally, you can disable Background App Refresh in the Settings app to prevent apps from updating their content in the background.
Q: Why is my battery still draining even after disabling unnecessary features?
A: If your battery is still draining after disabling unnecessary features, there may be other factors contributing to the issue. It’s possible that there are specific apps or processes running in the background that are consuming excessive battery power. Try closing all apps and restarting your iPhone to see if that resolves the problem. If the issue persists, consider resetting all settings or seeking professional assistance.
Conclusion
Experiencing a decreasing battery while charging your iPhone can be frustrating, but with the right troubleshooting steps, you can resolve this issue. Start by checking your charging cable and adapter, using genuine Apple accessories, restarting your iPhone, and updating to the latest iOS version. Additionally, closing background apps, disabling unnecessary features, and calibrating your battery can help improve battery performance. If all else fails, seek professional assistance. By following these steps, you can ensure your iPhone’s battery charges efficiently and lasts longer.