Your iPhone is a powerful tool, but its default settings aren’t always optimized for performance, battery life, or privacy. In this article, we’ll walk you through a list of essential iPhone settings that you should consider changing today. Whether you’re trying to get more battery life, prevent overheating, save on data, or stop Apple from bombarding you with ads, these changes can make a big difference.
Let’s dive in step-by-step.
1. Disable 5G When Not Needed
Steps:
- Open Settings
- Tap Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data
By default, some iPhones have 5G enabled all the time. However, 5G isn’t always faster than LTE and can drain your battery faster. Instead of keeping it on all the time, choose 5G Auto or even LTE if you don’t need blazing-fast speeds.
2. Turn On Low Data Mode
Steps:
- From the same Cellular Data Options screen, tap Data Mode
- Select Low Data Mode
This feature helps reduce background data usage, delays automatic updates and background tasks, and can also help your battery last longer. It’s especially useful if you’re on a limited data plan.
3. Optimize Battery Charging
Steps:
- Go to Settings > Battery > Charging
Newer iPhones (like the iPhone 15 Pro or 16 Pro) allow you to limit charging to 80–90%. This helps prolong your battery’s lifespan by avoiding full 100% charges, which generate excess heat and chemical strain.
Tip: Only use this if you typically finish your day with enough charge left. If you always run low, full charging may still be necessary.
4. Disable Background App Refresh
Steps:
- Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh
Apps like Facebook or Instagram can refresh in the background and cause your phone to heat up, drain battery, and use data. You can:
- Turn it Off
- Select Wi-Fi only
- Or choose app-by-app permissions for finer control
5. Limit Location Tracking for Product Improvements
Steps:
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services
- Scroll down and tap System Services
- Scroll to Product Improvement and toggle all options Off
Disabling these will stop your phone from sharing your location for Apple’s data collection efforts, saving battery and increasing your privacy.
6. Disable Apple Marketing Notifications
Steps:
- Go to Settings > Tap your Apple ID at the top
- Choose Personal Information > Communication Preferences
- Turn all marketing and recommendation toggles Off
This will stop Apple from sending you annoying promotional notifications (like Apple Arcade or Fitness+ ads) on your lock screen or email inbox.
7. Adjust Sound Settings to Avoid Confusion
Steps:
- Go to Settings > Sounds & Haptics
- Turn Change with Buttons Off
This ensures that your volume buttons only adjust media playback volume, not your ringer or alarm volume. You’ll manage ringer and alarm volume using the slider in this menu, preventing missed alarms or silent notifications.
8. Disable Preload Top Hit in Safari
Steps:
- Go to Settings > Scroll down to Safari
- Turn off Preload Top Hit
When this is enabled, Safari starts loading the first search result even before you tap it, which can use unnecessary data, expose your IP to websites, and create potential privacy concerns. Disabling this stops background loading of sites you may not visit.
9. Turn Off True Tone (Optional Display Preference)
Steps:
- Go to Settings > Display & Brightness
- Toggle True Tone Off
True Tone automatically adjusts your screen color based on ambient lighting. While some people love it, others find it distracting or inconsistent. Turning it off gives you a more consistent display color across all lighting conditions.
Conclusion
Making these small but significant changes can help your iPhone last longer, run faster, and respect your privacy a bit more. Apple provides a ton of customization options, but they don’t always make them easy to find or understand. That’s why reviewing settings like these is essential for any iPhone user.
So grab your device, open the Settings app, and make your iPhone work smarter—not harder.
Tags: iPhone settings, battery life, iOS tips, iPhone data usage, iPhone privacy, background app refresh, iPhone performance, low data mode, Safari settings, iPhone notifications, 5G iPhone, iPhone charging habits
Hashtags: #iPhoneTips #BatteryLife #iOSSettings #DataSaver #PrivacyMatters #iPhoneHacks #AppleTips #TechGuide
