If you’re like many iPhone users, you depend on your device for everything from phone calls and text messages to social media browsing and mobile gaming. But all that usage can take a toll on your iPhone’s battery life. In fact, the average iPhone battery can lose up to 20% of its capacity in just one year of use. But don’t despair! There are steps you can take to maintain your iPhone’s battery health and prolong its lifespan.

Here are some ways to keep your iPhone’s battery running strong:

1. Use the right charger: Apple recommends using the charger that came with your iPhone, or a charger that’s certified by Apple. Cheap, off-brand chargers may deliver an insufficient charge or even damage your battery.
2. Charge your phone correctly: It’s best to charge your iPhone when it gets down to around 20% battery life, but don’t let it get too low. Apple recommends not letting your battery go below 20% on a regular basis. Also, avoid overcharging your iPhone; unplug it once it reaches 100%.
3. Adjust your display settings: Your iPhone’s screen is one of the biggest battery drains. To reduce battery usage, try lowering the brightness of your screen, or enable auto-brightness to adjust the display based on the lighting conditions in your surroundings. You could also consider reducing the amount of time your screen stays on before it automatically locks.
4. Manage your apps: Some apps use more battery than others. Keep an eye on apps that are using up a lot of battery life in your settings menu. You can also disable unnecessary background app refreshes.
5. Turn off unnecessary features: Features like wifi, Bluetooth, and location services can drain battery life too. Turn off these features when you’re not using them to save battery life.
6. Keep your iPhone cool: Heat can degrade your battery, so try not to expose your iPhone to high temperatures. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight or in a hot car.
7. Update your operating system: Apple frequently releases updates to iOS that may include performance enhancements, including battery improvements.

By following these tips, you can help ensure your iPhone’s battery health stays strong, which will also help prolong your device’s lifespan.