1. Facebook
Facebook is a major battery drainer on iPhones, and it’s not just because of how often people use it—it’s also about what it’s doing behind the scenes. Even when you’re not actively scrolling, the Facebook app can continue refreshing content, running background processes, and tracking location for features like check-ins or targeted ads. It also auto-plays videos and loads images as you scroll, which eats up a lot of power.
If you’re not ready to part with Facebook (and let’s be honest, many of us aren’t), there are a few simple ways to reduce its impact on your battery. Go into Settings > General > Background App Refresh and either turn it off for Facebook or set it to “Wi-Fi only.” You can also disable location access by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services, selecting Facebook, and setting it to “Never” or “While Using the App.” You can also turn off video autoplay in the Facebook app’s settings, and consider using the mobile browser version instead—it’s lighter and much easier on your phone’s battery.
2. Maps
Apple Maps, Google Maps, and other navigation apps are incredibly useful, but they’re also some of the most power-hungry apps on your iPhone. They rely heavily on real-time GPS tracking, background location services, and constant screen use—especially during long drives or when walking with turn-by-turn directions. Even just having the app open in the background can drain your battery faster than you’d expect. To conserve power while still getting where you need to go, try lowering your screen brightness manually when using maps, and plug your phone in if you’re using it for extended navigation. You can also limit how often the app accesses your location by going to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services, selecting your map app, and setting it to “While Using the App” instead of “Always.”
3. Snapchat
Snapchat is fun, addictive, and unfortunately, a big-time battery hog. Everything about Snapchat makes it take up battery, including refreshing snaps, loading filters, running the camera, and syncing with your location for features like Snap Map. It also has background activity and auto-play stories that can quietly wear down your battery in the background. To keep using Snapchat without draining your phone, start by turning on Travel Mode within the app’s settings—this reduces the automatic downloading of snaps and stories. You can also limit location access in Settings > Location Services, setting Snapchat to “While Using the App” or turning it off altogether.