If your iPhone 4S seems to burn through battery life faster than it should, you’re not alone. This aging iPhone model is still capable of handling basic tasks, but it’s no stranger to power drain issues — especially after years of use. Here’s what to do if your iPhone 4S battery is dying too quickly, and how to make it last longer.
1. Consider Replacing the Battery
First things first — this is an old device. If your iPhone 4S has been in use for over a year or two, the battery has likely degraded.
- iPhone batteries are designed to retain about 80% capacity after 500 charge cycles
- If you’ve never replaced it, the battery is probably well below that threshold
Best fix: Bring it to an Apple Store or authorized repair center to have the battery replaced.
2. Force Restart Your iPhone
Sometimes, a simple system glitch is to blame.
To force restart:
- Press and hold the Home button
- While holding Home, also press and hold the Power (Sleep/Wake) button
- Keep holding both until the Apple logo appears
Then see if your battery starts performing more normally.
3. Update Your Apps
Outdated apps can run inefficiently in the background and cause unnecessary battery drain.
- Open the App Store
- Tap Updates
- Tap Update All
After updates finish, restart your phone and monitor your battery for a day.
4. Remove Battery-Hogging Apps
Some apps simply use more power than others — especially if they’re running in the background.
Check battery usage:
- Go to Settings > Battery
- Tap Last 24 Hours or Last 10 Days to see which apps are using the most battery
To uninstall:
- Tap and hold the app icon until it jiggles
- Tap the X on the corner
- Tap Delete to confirm
5. Reset All Settings
If your settings were changed or corrupted (maybe during an update), resetting them can help.
To reset all settings:
- Go to Settings > General > Reset
- Tap Reset All Settings
- Enter your passcode and confirm
This won’t delete personal data, but it will reset things like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and display settings.
6. Perform a Hard Reset (Factory Reset)
Still draining fast? Try a clean slate — but back up your data first.
To factory reset using iTunes:
- Power off your iPhone
- Connect it to a computer while holding the Home button
- Release Home when iTunes says it’s in recovery mode
- Click Restore iPhone, then Restore and Update
Once the restore is complete, use the phone as-is for a bit — don’t install apps right away. If the battery still drains quickly, it could be hardware-related.
Still Not Working? Visit a Service Center
If nothing else works, a failing power IC or other internal damage might be the cause. An expert diagnosis is your next best step.