Why Is My Used iPhone 13 Pro Battery Draining So Fast?

Your used iPhone 13 Pro’s battery life can make or break your user experience, especially if you’re a power relying heavily on your device. Although an iPhone 13 Pro has a solid battery, many users have reported a fast-draining battery due to a number of reasons.

This article dives into the reasons why your used iPhone 13 Pro's battery might be draining faster than expected and how you can fix it.

What are iPhone 13 Pro's Battery Specifications?

The iPhone 13 Pro is equipped with a robust 3095mAh Li-Ion battery designed to last through your day. Under normal usage conditions, the battery life should align with Apple's promise of up to 75 hours of audio playback or up to 22 hours of talk time. However, many factors can impact these numbers, ranging from your display settings to the apps you use.

What are Some Common Causes of iPhone 13 Pro Battery Drain?

Several factors can lead to excessive battery drain on your iPhone 13 Pro:

1. Background Applications

Every app running on your device consumes a certain amount of power, even those operating in the background. These applications continually update content, receive notifications, and sync data, which can significantly drain your battery. For example, apps that use location services or stream content in the background can particularly strain your battery.

2. Screen Brightness and Display Settings

The iPhone 13 Pro features a Super Retina XDR display, which, while providing an excellent viewing experience, can consume a lot of power, especially when brightness levels are high. Furthermore, if you're using the ProMotion feature, which enables a 120Hz refresh rate, the faster screen update can lead to increased battery usage.

3. Poor Network Conditions

iPhones are designed to maintain a strong network connection at all times. However, when the signal is weak, or the phone frequently switches between networks (like between WiFi and cellular data or between different cellular data networks), the device has to work harder to maintain connection, which can rapidly drain the battery.

4. Heavy Media Usage

High-performance tasks such as gaming, streaming videos, or using augmented reality apps require more power and thus can decrease battery life faster. These tasks often use advanced graphics and high processing power, leading to higher battery consumption.

5. Faulty Updates or Software Bugs

Software updates are meant to improve the performance of your device. However, sometimes, an update might contain a bug that causes an unusual battery drain. This issue can also occur if an app hasn't been optimized for the latest iOS version. It's always a good idea to keep your apps, and your iPhone's software updated to the latest versions to fix any potential bugs or issues.

Specific Issues Related to Used iPhones

When dealing with used iPhones, be it a used iPhone 13 Pro or refurbished iPhone 13 Pro Max, here are additional factors to consider that can influence battery life.

1. Previous Usage Patterns

The way the previous owner used and charged the device can significantly affect the current battery health. For instance, if the phone was regularly exposed to extreme temperatures or if the battery was frequently allowed to drain completely before being recharged, these practices could have shortened the battery's lifespan.

Similarly, if the previous owner used power-intensive apps or settings, the battery might have undergone more charge cycles, reducing its overall capacity.

2. Potential Issues with Refurbished Devices

Refurbished iPhones are used devices that have been cleaned, repaired, and restored to a state that's as close as possible to new. However, the quality of the refurbishment process can vary widely.

If the refurbisher replaced the original battery with a lower-quality one, or if the refurbishment didn't fully address any existing battery issues, these factors could lead to a shorter battery life. It's always a good idea to purchase refurbished devices from a reputable source to minimize these risks.

3. Battery Lifespan and Cycles

iPhone batteries, like all lithium-ion batteries, have a limited lifespan and can perform a set number of charge cycles, which is defined as the process of charging a battery from 0% to 100%. As a battery goes through more charge cycles, its capacity (the amount of energy it can hold) gradually decreases.

So, if you've purchased a used iPhone 13 Pro, it's possible that the battery has already gone through many charge cycles, which could result in reduced battery life. You can check the battery health of your device in the settings to get an idea of its remaining capacity.

How to Diagnose Battery Drain Issues

If you're facing rapid battery drain issues, it's critical to diagnose the problem effectively. Here are some methods you can use:

1. iPhone's Built-in Battery Health Feature

The iPhone's battery health feature is an excellent starting point for diagnosing battery drain issues. This feature provides you with crucial information about your battery's maximum capacity (a measure of battery capacity relative to when it was new) and its peak performance capability. To access this information:

1. On your iPhone, go to Settings.
2. Scroll down to Battery.
3. Click the Battery Health & Charging option.
4. Here, you can see the Maximum Capacity of your battery, which will be less than 100% for a used iPhone. If this number is significantly below 100%, it could be a reason for the fast battery drain.

2. Third-Party Diagnostic Tools

In addition to the iPhone's built-in tools, several third-party apps can provide a more detailed analysis of your battery health and usage. These apps can offer granular insights, such as power usage by individual apps, number of charge cycles the battery has gone through, and more.

Some popular apps include coconutBattery and iMazing, but please ensure that you download third-party apps from trusted sources to protect your privacy and data.

3. Professional Diagnosis

If you're unable to determine the cause of the drain using these methods, consider seeking help from a professional service. Apple offers battery diagnostic services, which can be particularly helpful if your device is still under warranty.

Alternatively, various third-party services can also assist with diagnosing and resolving battery issues. Remember to use a trusted service provider to avoid potential damage to your device.

How to Solve Battery Drain Issues

Once you've diagnosed the problem, there are several steps you can take to improve your battery life:

Fix 1: Don’t Let Your iPhone Overheat

Excessive heat can significantly affect the performance and lifespan of your iPhone's battery. Here's how to prevent your iPhone from overheating:

• Avoid Direct Sunlight: Don't leave your iPhone in direct sunlight for long periods. If you're outside on a hot day, try to keep your device in the shade or inside a bag or pocket.
• Remove the Case During Charging: If you use a case, remove it during charging, especially if your device tends to get hot. Some cases can trap heat generated during charging, causing the device to overheat.
• Avoid Intense Activities When Your Device Is Hot: If your iPhone is already hot, avoid activities that can intensify heat production. These might include playing graphics-intensive games, using GPS navigation, or recording high-definition videos.
• Turn Off Unnecessary Features: Features like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Location Services can generate heat when in use. If your device is hot, consider turning off these features until it cools down.
• Keep Software Up to Date: Ensure your iPhone is running the latest version of iOS. Some updates might include advanced thermal management features that can prevent your device from overheating.

Remember, consistent overheating can degrade your battery health over time. It's crucial to manage your device's temperature to maintain optimal battery performance.

Fix 2: Check If Your iPhone Is Charging Properly

To ensure your iPhone 13 Pro is charging correctly, follow these steps:

• Use Apple's Charger and Cable: Make sure you're using the charging cable and wall adapter that came with your iPhone. If not, use a MFi (Made for iPhone) certified charger and cable. Non-certified chargers can potentially damage your battery or cause it to charge more slowly.
• Inspect the Charging Cable and Adapter: Look for signs of damage, such as fraying or bent prongs. Damaged equipment may not charge your iPhone correctly.
• Check the Charging Port: Inspect the charging port on the bottom of your iPhone. If it's dirty or has debris inside, it may not make a good connection with your charger. You can gently clean the port with a soft, dry toothbrush or canned air.
• Restart Your iPhone: If your iPhone isn't charging, try restarting it and then plugging it in again.
• Try Different Charging Equipment and Outlets: Test your phone with a different cable, adapter, and power outlet. If it charges with one set-up but not another, the problem might be with your charging equipment rather than the phone.

If you've tried all these steps and your iPhone still isn't charging properly, it might be a battery or hardware issue. In that case, you should contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store for assistance.

Fix 3: Enable Auto-Brightness on Your Used iPhone 13 Pro

Auto-Brightness adjusts your screen's brightness based on the ambient light around you, which can help conserve battery life. Here's how to enable it:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap Accessibility.
3. Next, tap Display & Text Size.
4. Scroll down until you find the Auto-Brightness option.
5. Toggle on the Auto-Brightness option.

Now, your iPhone will automatically adjust the screen brightness depending on the light conditions, helping you to save battery life.

However, note that if you're in a very bright environment, Auto-Brightness might increase the brightness level, potentially using more battery power. In such cases, you may want to manually adjust the brightness to a lower level.

Fix 4: Disable Background App Refresh

Background App Refresh allows your apps to check for new information in the background in an intelligent and efficient way. However, it can also consume energy and might contribute to battery drain.

Here's how to disable background app refresh on your used iPhone 13 Pro:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and tap General.
3. Tap Background App Refresh.
4. You'll see a list of apps that use this feature with toggles next to them.
5. You can turn off Background App Refresh entirely by selecting Off at the top of the screen. Alternatively, you can select Wi-Fi to only enable the feature when you're connected to Wi-Fi, which can save cellular data.
6. If you want to disable Background App Refresh for specific apps only, you can toggle off the switches next to these apps in the list.

By managing your Background App Refresh settings, you can prevent apps from using the battery in the background, potentially extending your iPhone's battery life.

Fix 5: Switch Cellular Data from 5G to 4G/3G

While 5G provides faster data speeds, it can also consume more battery life than 4G or 3G. If your iPhone 13 Pro's battery is draining quickly and you're connected to 5G, you might consider switching to 4G or 3G.

Here's how to switch cellular data from 5G to 4G/3G:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Cellular or Mobile Data (the wording may vary based on your region).
3. Tap Cellular Data Options or Mobile Data Options.
4. Select Voice & Data.
5. You will see options for 5G, LTE (4G), and possibly 3G. Choose LTE (or 3G) to switch off 5G.

Remember while this may save battery life, it will also reduce your data speeds. If you regularly stream videos, use data-intensive apps, or browse the web on your phone, you might notice these activities are slower on 4G or 3G compared to 5G.

Fix 6: Limit Push Notifications

Push notifications can light up your screen, make your phone vibrate, or play a sound, all of which can use battery power. If you're receiving many notifications, it can contribute to battery drain. To limit push notifications, follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Notifications.
3. You will see a list of apps that can send you notifications.
4. Tap on an app you want to limit notifications for.
5. Toggle off the Allow Notifications switch.
6. Alternatively, you can customize the settings to suit your needs. For example, you can turn off Sounds, Badges, or Show on Lock Screen to reduce the impact of notifications on your battery life.

Repeat these steps for each app that you want to limit notifications. Managing your notifications can save battery life while still getting important updates from your apps.

Fix 7: Reduce Brightness to Dim Your Screen

The iPhone 13 Pro's display is one of its most power-hungry components. Reducing your screen's brightness can significantly extend your battery life.

Here's how to reduce the brightness of your iPhone 13 Pro:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Tap on Display & Brightness.
3. Under the Brightness section, you'll see a slider.
4. Drag the slider to the left to reduce the brightness.

Alternatively, you can also adjust the brightness from the Control Center:

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen to open Control Center.
2. Look for the brightness slider (it's the one with the sun icon).
3. Drag the slider down to reduce the brightness.

Remember, while a dimmer screen can save battery life, make sure your screen is still bright enough so that you can comfortably read and interact with it. If your screen is too dim, it can strain your eyes.

Fix 8: Limit Widgets

Widgets can provide quick access to app information directly from your iPhone's Home screen or Today View. However, they can also use battery power, especially if they're frequently updated. Here's how to limit widgets:

1. Swipe right over the Home screen or Lock screen to access the Today View where your widgets are located.
2. Scroll to the bottom and tap Edit.
3. You'll now see a list of all your widgets. Each widget has a red minus button next to it.
4. To remove a widget, tap the red minus button and tap Remove.
5. When you're done, tap Done in the top-right corner of the screen.

By limiting widgets, especially those from apps that you don't use frequently, you can save battery life. Just remember that removing a widget only removes its shortcut from the Today View or Home screen. It doesn't delete the app, and you can still access all the app's features directly from the app itself.

Fix 9: Turn Off Automatic Downloads and Updates

Automatic downloads and updates can use up battery life, especially if they happen when you're not connected to Wi-Fi. Here's how to turn them off:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and select App Store.
3. Under the Automatic Downloads section, toggle off the switch next to App Updates and App Downloads.

Now, your apps won't automatically update or download in the background, which can save battery life. Remember, though, that you'll now need to manually update your apps through the App Store. Keeping your apps updated is important because updates often include bug fixes and performance improvements that can help extend battery life.

Fix 10: Allow Location Services While Using the App

Location Services can use a significant amount of battery, especially if an app is using your location even when you're not actively using the app. By changing your settings so that apps can only use your location while you're using the app, you can save battery life. Here's how:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
2. Scroll down and select Privacy & Security.
3. Tap Location Services.
4. You'll see a list of apps that have requested access to your location.
5. Tap on an app to see its Location Services settings.
6. Select While Using the App or Ask Next Time Or When I Share. This way, the app can only use your location while you're actively using the app, or it will ask you each time it wants to use your location.

Repeat these steps for each app in the list. By managing your Location Services settings, you can prevent apps from unnecessarily using your location in the background, which can help extend your iPhone's battery life.

What If the iPhone 13 Pro Battery Issue Doesn’t Resolve?

If you’ve tried all the fixes mentioned in this article but your iPhone 13 Pro battery issue hasn’t been resolved, it may be time to get it repaired or buy a replacement phone. If you want to replace your malfunctioning phone, Phone Daddy has a wide range of used iPhones and Androids. You can find a used iPhone 13 Pro for sale or buy refurbished iPhone 14 from our website at an affordable price. So, what are you waiting for? Get yours today!