Let’s be real. You see a new software update, hit install, and boom. Your battery starts dropping faster than usual. It’s frustrating, right? You’re not alone. A lot of people notice this after an update.
But here’s the thing. Most of the time, it’s not a bug or a big issue. It’s just your device settling into the new update. Still, there are easy things you can do to stop your battery from running out so fast.
This guide is going to help you avoid that battery drain. Whether you’re updating your iPhone, iPad, or even an Apple Watch, I’ll walk you through it step by step. You won’t need any fancy tools. Just some settings and habits that make a big difference.
Why does battery drain after a software update?
Right after an update, your phone or watch does a lot of work in the background. It’s reindexing files, updating apps, syncing settings, and more. That takes power. So yes, it’s normal to see some battery dip during this time.
But if it keeps happening for days? Then something’s not right. That’s when you need to take action. Let’s fix that.
What should you do before updating?
#1 Charge your device fully first
Always start with full battery. You don’t want your device to shut down mid-update. It can cause problems. Plug in your phone or watch and make sure it’s at 100% before you begin.
#2 Update only when on strong Wi-Fi
Never use mobile data for updates. It drains your battery faster, and it’s less stable. Use a trusted Wi-Fi network. If your signal cuts during the update, it could mess things up.
#3 Close background apps
Before you hit install, double-tap your home button or swipe up from the bottom and close out all running apps. Less background activity means your battery can focus on just one job, updating.
#4 Back up your device
This won’t help battery, but it’s still super important. If anything goes wrong, you’ll want your stuff safe. Use iCloud or connect to your computer and do a manual backup.
What should you do during the update?
#5 Keep it plugged in
Don’t unplug your charger during the update. It’s better to keep the power flowing. Even if your device is at 100%, updates can use up a chunk of charge fast. Stay plugged in, just to be safe.
#6 Don’t use your device while updating
Let your phone or watch do its thing. Opening apps or playing around while it’s updating can slow things down and drain more battery.
#7 Turn off Bluetooth and location services
These two services use a lot of power. While updating, there’s no need for them to run. You can quickly turn them off in Settings:
To turn off Bluetooth:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Bluetooth.
- Switch it off.
To turn off Location Services:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- Switch it off.
What to do after the update?
#8 Let the device settle for a day or two
Don’t panic right away. It’s normal to see battery go down a bit more than usual on the first day. Your device is adjusting. Give it time. If it’s still draining fast after 48 hours, then go through the next steps.
#9 Check battery usage in settings
You can see which apps are using the most battery. Maybe one of them is going crazy in the background.
Here’s how you check:
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Battery.
- Wait a few seconds. You’ll see a chart and list of apps using battery.
If something doesn’t look right, like an app using 30% for no reason, try deleting it and reinstalling. Or go to the app’s settings and limit background refresh.
#10 Turn off Background App Refresh
This one helps a lot. Some apps keep updating even when you’re not using them. That eats battery.
To turn it off:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap General.
- Select Background App Refresh.
- Tap Off or choose Wi-Fi only.
#11 Reduce motion and transparency
All those cool animations? They take battery. You can turn them down a bit to save power.
To do it:
- Open Settings.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Select Motion, then turn on Reduce Motion.
- Go back, tap Display & Text Size, then turn on Reduce Transparency.
Still having trouble? You’re not alone
Some users also face issues with Apple Watch charging after an update. So if you’re using a watch and notice it’s not charging properly or draining too fast, that might be part of the same problem. Give it a full restart and see if things improve.
#12 Update your apps
Sometimes, old versions of apps don’t work well with the new iOS or WatchOS. Make sure everything is up to date.
To update apps:
- Go to the App Store.
- Tap your profile icon at the top.
- Scroll down and tap Update All.
#13 Turn off push email
If your email app is checking mail every second, that’s a lot of battery drain. You can change it to check manually.
Here’s how:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Mail > Accounts.
- Select Fetch New Data.
- Turn off Push and select Manual.
#14 Restart your device
Sometimes, a good old restart is all it takes. Turn it off. Wait 10 seconds. Then turn it back on. This clears up stuck processes and can fix weird battery behavior.
#15 Use Low Power Mode
If you’re still noticing battery drop, turn on Low Power Mode. It helps a lot by cutting down background tasks, screen brightness, and more.
To turn it on:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Battery.
- Switch on Low Power Mode.
The takeaway
Software updates can make your device better and faster, but sometimes they come with a downside, battery drain. That can be annoying, especially when you count on your phone or Apple Watch to get through the day.
Start by charging your device fully, close background apps, and avoid using your phone during the update. After the update, check which apps use the most battery, turn off unnecessary features like Bluetooth or location, and give your device time to adjust.
Many people think the update itself is broken, but in most cases, it’s just the device adjusting. You don’t need a repair or a battery swap right away. Try these steps first. They usually solve the issue.
If your battery still drains too fast days after updating, then get in touch with Apple Support. They can run a battery health check for you.
Did one of these tips help you? Let me know in the comments below.
