The minute you remove your iPhone from its charger it of course begins to lose battery power until the next time you charge it. But there are ways that you are using your device that you wouldn’t want to change — like using it to stream TV shows, movies, and music — that can put the accelerator on battery loss. The answer isn’t to never watch Succession on your phone (heaven forbid). It’s to make sure you aren’t making some of the most common iPhone browsing and streaming mistakes that are sucking up major battery power. And the great news here is that it’s not difficult to change your habits. Keep these mistakes on your radar.
Leaving multiple tabs open
When it comes to browsing and streaming on your iPhone, there are several common mistakes that can drain your battery faster than necessary, according to Kelvin Wira, founder of Superpixel. And one of the most significant culprits is leaving multiple tabs open in your browser. “Each open tab consumes resources and energy, even if you’re not actively using it,” Wira says.
Streaming at high resolutions
Another mistake is streaming videos at high resolutions, which requires more power and bandwidth, Wira says. “Additionally, enabling auto-play for videos or allowing websites to play videos in the background can also quickly deplete your battery,” he adds.
Using cellular data
Another common mistake is when you’re connected to a network, such as Wi-Fi, but your iPhone is still using cellular data, says Tech Expert Jared Floyd, the founder at Ajax Creative. “This happens when you’re in an area with weak or nonexistent Wi-Fi, and your iPhone is automatically using cellular data instead,” Floyd says. “This ends up draining your battery because your iPhone is working harder to maintain a connection.”
Your phone is still downloading
Another mistake is when you’re streaming content but your phone is still downloading data in the background. “This can be caused by apps that are running in the background, and they may be downloading updates or other content,” Floyd says. “This can quickly add up and end up draining your battery.”
Forgetting to close apps
Think of apps the way you would the doors and windows in your home — don’t forget to close them.
“Forgetting to close out of apps and streaming services after you’re done using them can cause them to continue running in the background and consuming battery power,” Wira says. “By being mindful of these mistakes and taking steps to avoid them, you can extend the battery life of your iPhone and make the most out of your browsing and streaming experiences.”
