iPhone ‘Vampire’ battery setting: How to disable and improve battery life

Apple’s iPhones are some of the best smartphones available today due their powerful performance, superior camera experience and polished software. However, one aspect that iPhones have never really caught up to Android phones with is the battery life. Apple’s iPhones, especially the compact ones without a Max in their name are known for below-average battery life and require frequent charging. However, there are many tips to make the most of the battery life that is already available to you.

One of many ways to improve the existing battery life on your iPhone is by disabling the infamous ‘vampire’ that is known to drain your battery similar to the popular-culture beast which survives by feeding off on the blood of its victims. A much less haunting problem, the iPhone setting is easy to turn off, and should quickly improve your battery life significantly. Here’s how to do it.

How to improve your iPhone’s battery life

Unlock your iPhone and go to the Settings app. Here, navigate to the Mobile Service section (Cellular section, in older iOS versions). Scroll to the very bottom, and you should see the ‘Wi-Fi Assist’ feature and tap on the toggle next to it to turn it off. Once the toggle has been turned to a grey hue, the setting has been turned off.

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The change should impact your device immediately, and you should start seeing better standby times from the same day. In other words, your iPhone should last longer, and require less frequent charging breaks.

How does this work?

To understand how disabling the feature gives you more standby time, we must first understand how Wi-Fi Assist works. The feature is actually a handy addition for those who frequent between a Wi-Fi network and their mobile data connection. Wi-Fi Assist, when turned on, allows devices to automatically switch to a mobile data connection when the user moves out of Wi-Fi range.

The feature also helps out when you are in the range of a Wi-Fi network that’s acting up. It allows the phone to switch to mobile data during these times so your browsing session, stream or online game can continue uninterrupted. You can know more about the feature by visiting Apple’s official page.

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Note that changing this setting will not always guarantee better battery life. If you still experience poor battery life on your device post the change, there may be other apps or settings that have been draining your battery. If you have an older iPhone, consider getting a battery replacement or a power bank to help you charge your phone when on the move.