The 4 Surprising Default Settings Apple Doesn’t Want You To Know Are Draining Your iPhone Battery

This post has been updated since it originally published on June 8, 2021.

If it’s broken, don’t fix it. And if it already comes enabled on your iPhone, then obviously a certain setting is perfect just the way it is and you should not touch that, either. 

If that’s your tech motto in life, it’s time to rethink what we think we know about our devices. Just because a setting is set up a certain way, does NOT mean it should remain that way. Keep in mind that, at the end of the day, Apple needs to turn a profit. And even though its devices and accessories cost a pretty penny, it is a business like any other looking for ways to bridge our user experiences with profits. Here are four surprising default settings Apple doesn’t want you to know is ruining your phone. Making a change that can help your device takes just seconds.

Background App Refresh allows apps to update their content even when you’re not actively using them, which may sound convenient, but is actually a major battery drainer. David Harris, co-founder and senior editor of MasterTheTech.com, goes as far as calling it a “vampire.” 

“This default setting allows apps to constantly update in the background, which can be incredibly taxing on your battery,” Harris says. “While this feature keeps your apps current, for most users, it’s an unnecessary power drain. Background App Refresh is like having all of your apps running a mini marathon while you’re not watching. It’s a great feature for keeping your apps updated, but it’s a substantial battery drainer that most users simply don’t need.”