iOS 11 Killing Battery? How to Fix It

If your iPhone’s battery is draining unusually fast after updating to iOS 11, the fix usually involves a combination of checking battery usage, disabling background app refresh, and adjusting location services. This article explains the common causes and provides step-by-step fixes to restore your battery life.

Why iOS 11 Affects Battery Life

iOS 11 introduced several new features and under-the-hood changes that can increase power consumption. The most significant is the new “App Store” indexing and background tasks that run after an update. Additionally, iOS 11 enabled “Background App Refresh” for more apps by default, and the new “Files” app and “Screen Recording” feature can also drain battery if left active. Many users also reported that the “Hey Siri” feature, which listens continuously, was enabled by default after the update, further reducing battery life.

Quick Fixes to Try First

Before diving into advanced settings, try these simple steps:

Restart your iPhone: A simple restart can clear temporary glitches that cause excessive battery drain.
Update to the latest iOS version: Apple released several point updates (like iOS 11.0.1, 11.0.2, etc.) that contained battery life improvements. Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
Check Battery Usage: Go to Settings > Battery. Here you can see which apps are using the most battery. If an app is using an unusually high amount, try force-quitting it or deleting it if you don’t need it.

Adjusting Location Services

Location services are one of the biggest battery drains. iOS 11 introduced a new “While Using” option for many apps, but some apps still default to “Always”. To check:

Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services.
Review each app’s setting. For most apps, choose “While Using the App” instead of “Always”.
Also, scroll down and tap on “System Services”. Turn off any that you don’t need, such as “Location-Based Apple Ads” or “Popular Near Me”. Keep “Find My iPhone” on for security.

Disabling Background App Refresh

Background App Refresh allows apps to update content in the background, which consumes battery. iOS 11 enables this for all apps by default. To disable it:

Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
You can either turn it off entirely (recommended for maximum battery savings) or selectively disable it for apps that don’t need constant updates, like social media apps.
If you turn it off entirely, you can still refresh apps manually by opening them.

Managing Display and Brightness

The display is the largest battery consumer. iOS 11 introduced the “True Tone” display on newer iPhones, but even without it, you can reduce drain:

Lower the brightness: Swipe up from the bottom to open Control Center and drag the brightness slider down.
Enable Auto-Brightness: Settings > General > Accessibility > Display Accommodations > Auto-Brightness. This lets the phone adjust brightness based on ambient light.
Reduce White Point: In the same Display Accommodations menu, you can enable “Reduce White Point” to dim the screen further, which saves battery.

Other Battery-Draining Features to Turn Off

Several other iOS 11 features can be disabled to save battery:

Hey Siri: If you don’t use voice activation, go to Settings > Siri & Search and turn off “Listen for ‘Hey Siri'”. This prevents the microphone from always listening.
Raise to Wake: Settings > Display & Brightness > Raise to Wake. Turning this off prevents the screen from turning on every time you pick up the phone.
Mail Push: If you use email, go to Settings > Accounts & Passwords > Fetch New Data. Set to “Fetch” or “Manual” instead of “Push” to reduce background data fetching.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: When not in use, turn these off from Control Center. Note that iOS 11’s Control Center toggles don’t fully disable them (they disconnect but remain on for AirDrop and Apple Watch). To fully disable, go to Settings.

Reindexing and Initial Setup

After a major iOS update, your iPhone may spend the first few days reindexing photos, messages, and other data. This process can cause temporary battery drain. If you just updated, give it 24-48 hours before judging battery life. If the drain persists after a week, try the following:

Reset All Settings: Go to Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. This will not delete your data, but it will reset Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, and other preferences. You’ll need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords.
Restore from a backup: If the problem persists, you may need to back up your iPhone and restore it as new, then restore from backup. This can clear up any corrupted settings from the update.

When to Consider a Battery Replacement

If you’ve tried all the above and your battery still drains quickly, especially if your phone is over a year old, the battery may be degraded. iOS 11 introduced a feature that shows battery health in Settings > Battery > Battery Health (on iPhone 6 and later). If the maximum capacity is below 80%, or if you see a message about unexpected shutdowns, consider replacing the battery. Apple and authorized service providers offer this service, but you can also do it yourself if you’re comfortable with repairs. A degraded battery will drain faster regardless of software settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my battery draining so fast after iOS 11?

The most common reasons are background app refresh, location services, and new features like “Hey Siri” being enabled by default. Also, the phone may be reindexing data for the first few days after the update.

Will turning off Background App Refresh affect notifications?

No, you will still receive notifications. Background App Refresh only affects content updates in the background, like checking for new emails or social media posts. Notifications are handled separately.

How long does battery drain last after updating to iOS 11?

Typically, it takes 24-48 hours for the phone to reindex and settle down. If it lasts longer than a week, you should try the other fixes mentioned above.

Is it safe to reset all settings?

Yes, Reset All Settings is safe. It does not delete your personal data like photos, contacts, or messages. It only resets system settings like Wi-Fi passwords, wallpaper, and notification preferences. You’ll need to re-enter Wi-Fi passwords after.

Can I downgrade back to iOS 10 to fix battery life?

Downgrading is possible for a short window after a new iOS release, but Apple stops signing the previous version quickly. Also, downgrading may cause data loss if you don’t have a backup. It’s usually better to fix the battery issues with settings adjustments.

Does low power mode help?

Yes, Low Power Mode (Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode) is an effective quick fix. It reduces background activity and performance to extend battery life. You can also turn it on from Control Center.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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