iOS 18 Battery Life Issues: The Unexpected Culprit
The Problem
It’s impossible not to notice how bad my iPhone’s battery life has become since upgrading to iOS 18. The situation was bad, with battery consumption much higher than anything I remember, and even Low Power Mode didn’t offer much relief. It was time to investigate the problem.
The Investigation
I started by checking the Battery screen in Settings, which provided valuable information on the battery level and activity. However, nothing out of the ordinary was found. I tried disabling the always-on display, but the problem persisted.
The Breakthrough
After further investigation, testing, and tweaking settings, I found the culprit: Apple Intelligence. With Apple Intelligence enabled, I found it impossible to make it through a day without recharging. However, with it disabled, my battery life returned to its former levels.
The Verdict
It seems that this issue isn’t limited to my hardware, as I’ve come across similar reports. Moreover, it doesn’t appear to be restricted to the iPhone; Apple Intelligence is also being blamed for excessive battery consumption on MacBooks. I find the effect repeatable – on my iPhones and, to a lesser extent, my iPads. Turn Apple Intelligence on, and battery life drops like a stone; turn it off, and things go back to normal.
Conclusion
If you’re finding battery life to be especially poor since making the jump to iOS 18 and you’ve enabled the Apple Intelligence feature, it could be your culprit. I say "could" because this could be one of those "mileage will vary" situations. However, if you’re not finding Apple Intelligence to be all that useful, you have nothing to lose by turning it off.
FAQs
Q: What is Apple Intelligence?
A: Apple Intelligence is a feature that uses machine learning to help you with tasks, such as sending messages or making calls, and to provide personalized recommendations.
Q: Is Apple Intelligence enabled by default?
A: No, Apple Intelligence is not enabled by default. You need to go to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri to enable it.
Q: Can I disable Apple Intelligence if I’m not using it?
A: Yes, you can disable Apple Intelligence by going to Settings > Apple Intelligence & Siri and toggle off the switch.
Q: Will disabling Apple Intelligence affect my iPhone’s performance?
A: No, disabling Apple Intelligence will not affect your iPhone’s performance. It will only affect the battery life of your device.
Q: Can I still use Siri without Apple Intelligence?
A: Yes, you can still use Siri without Apple Intelligence. Siri will still be available, but without the personalized features provided by Apple Intelligence.
