How to Maximize iPhone 6s Plus Battery Life: All the Best Tips That Still Work

If your iPhone 6s Plus isn’t lasting as long as it used to, you’re not alone. Even though this model came with a solid battery when it launched, age and usage can take a toll. The good news? There are still plenty of ways to stretch your battery life and keep your iPhone running smoothly, even in 2026. Here’s how to make the most of it.

Turn On Low Power Mode

This is your iPhone’s built-in battery saver and it works surprisingly well.

Go to Settings > Battery.
Toggle on Low Power Mode.

It’ll reduce background activity, mail fetch, visual effects, and auto-downloads to save battery. iOS will also prompt you to enable it automatically when you hit 20% or 10%.

Update to the Latest iOS Your Device Supports

Newer iOS versions often come with battery efficiency improvements. The 6s Plus doesn’t support the latest versions, but make sure you’re on the most recent one it can run.

Plug in your iPhone and connect to Wi-Fi.
Go to Settings > General > Software Update.
If an update is available, tap Download and Install.

Always back up first via iCloud or a computer just in case.

Dim Your Screen or Use Auto-Brightness

A bright screen drains your battery fast. You can either lower the brightness manually or let your iPhone handle it.

To dim manually: Swipe down from the top-right (or up on older iOS) to open Control Center and adjust the brightness slider.
To enable Auto-Brightness: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size, then toggle Auto-Brightness on.

Turn Off Background App Refresh

Apps constantly updating in the background waste power.

Head to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
You can turn it off entirely or choose which apps are allowed.

Manage Location Services

Location tracking is another hidden battery drainer.

Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
Turn it off for apps that don’t need it all the time or set them to “While Using the App”.

Disable Push Email

Fetching new email constantly? Try switching to manual fetch.

Go to Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data.
Turn off Push, then set Fetch to manually or a longer interval like hourly.

Avoid Extreme Temperatures

Batteries hate heat and cold. Don’t leave your iPhone in a hot car or out in freezing temps. Ideally, keep it between 32°F and 95°F (0°C–35°C).

Charging in high heat? That can permanently shorten battery lifespan. If your phone feels hot while charging, take the case off and move it to a cooler spot.

Use Wi-Fi When Possible

Wi-Fi uses less power than cellular data. When you’re home or somewhere with reliable Wi-Fi:

Open Control Center and tap the Wi-Fi icon to connect.

You’ll save battery and probably get faster data too.

Keep the Battery Between 30% and 80%

Letting your battery hit 0% or stay at 100% too often can wear it out faster. Try to keep it in that middle zone when possible. If you’re storing the phone for a while, leave it at around 50%.

Don’t Use Your Computer’s USB Port to Charge (Unless Necessary)

Charging from a wall outlet is more efficient. If you must charge via computer:

Use a high-power USB port (USB 3.0 if possible).
Make sure the computer is awake. If it’s asleep or off, your iPhone might not charge at all—or even lose power.

Check Battery Usage by App

Some apps eat way more battery than others.

Go to Settings > Battery.
Scroll to see which apps are using the most power.

If you spot a battery hog you rarely use, consider deleting it or limiting its background activity.

Turn Off Unused Features

Bluetooth, AirDrop, and motion effects all drain power. If you’re not using them:

Open Control Center and turn off Bluetooth and AirDrop.
Go to Settings > Accessibility > Motion and toggle on Reduce Motion to save a little more juice.

Remove Your Case While Charging If Your Phone Gets Hot

If your iPhone feels warm while charging, try removing the case. Trapped heat can stress the battery and speed up aging.

All of these tricks can add up to real gains in battery life—even on an older device like the iPhone 6s Plus. Try a few and see which ones make the biggest difference for you.