If your iPhone 11 battery started draining unusually fast after installing an iOS update, you’re not alone. This is a common issue that tends to show up after system upgrades, especially when background tasks, app glitches, or settings conflicts get in the way. Here’s a full list of troubleshooting steps to help you get your battery life back on track.
1. Restart Your iPhone
A simple reboot can clear out minor post-update bugs that might be killing your battery.
Soft reset (if your phone is responsive):
- Press and hold the Side and Volume Up buttons.
- When “Slide to Power Off” appears, slide it.
- Wait 30 seconds, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears.
Force restart (if your phone is lagging or unresponsive):
- Quickly press and release Volume Up.
- Quickly press and release Volume Down.
- Press and hold the Side button until you see the Apple logo.
This won’t erase any of your data.
2. Update All Your Apps
Outdated apps can misbehave after iOS updates and drain your battery in the background.
To update apps manually:
- Open the App Store.
- Tap your profile icon (top right).
- Scroll to the Available Updates section.
- Tap Update All or update apps one by one.
Make sure your phone is plugged in while doing this if your battery is low.
3. Reset All Settings
iOS updates sometimes change system settings, which can conflict with your usual configuration and cause battery drain.
To reset all settings:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Reset > Reset All Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
This won’t delete your data, but you’ll need to reconfigure things like Wi-Fi passwords, Face ID, and custom preferences.
4. Disable Unnecessary Features That Drain Battery
While you’re at it, tweak a few settings to reduce battery consumption:
- Lower screen brightness: Settings > Display & Brightness.
- Disable Background App Refresh: Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
- Turn off Location Services for unused apps: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- Enable Low Power Mode: Settings > Battery.
5. Perform a Factory Reset
If your battery issues persist after trying the above, a clean slate might help—just be sure to back up your data first.
To factory reset your iPhone:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone.
- Tap Erase All Content and Settings.
- Enter your passcode and confirm.
Once erased, set your iPhone up as new and check if the battery issue is resolved before restoring your backup.
6. Restore Using iTunes or Finder (Recovery Mode)
For more stubborn battery issues, doing a full restore via recovery mode can help.
Here’s how:
- Plug your iPhone into a Mac or PC using the original Lightning cable.
- Open Finder (macOS Catalina or later) or iTunes (older macOS or Windows).
- Put your iPhone into recovery mode:
- Quickly press and release Volume Up.
- Quickly press and release Volume Down.
- Press and hold the Side button until you see the recovery mode screen.
- When prompted, choose Restore (not Update).
This wipes the device and reinstalls iOS from scratch. You can restore your backup during setup.
Still Draining Fast? Time for a Hardware Check
If none of the above steps fix the issue, your battery might be physically degraded or something deeper is going on. Visit an Apple Store or authorized service provider for a battery health diagnostic. You can also check your battery health under Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging—if it’s below 80%, it may be time for a replacement.