Your iPhone battery plays a critical role in how smoothly your device functions. Over time, batteries naturally degrade, but sometimes they can fail prematurely—posing risks not just to performance, but also to safety. Knowing the signs of a failing iPhone battery can help you take action early, whether that means replacing it or getting professional help.
This guide explains the most common warning signs of battery failure, including swelling, rapid battery drain, and unexpected shutdowns, along with what you can do to fix or prevent further damage.
🔋 Why iPhone Batteries Fail Over Time
Apple uses lithium-ion batteries, which are efficient and fast-charging, but they do wear out with use. A typical iPhone battery is designed to retain up to 80% of its original capacity after 500 full charge cycles (roughly 1.5 to 2 years of daily use). Beyond that, chemical aging begins to degrade performance and capacity.
⚠️ Common Signs of a Failing iPhone Battery
Battery Draining Quickly
One of the earliest signs of a battery problem is unusually fast battery drain.
Symptoms:
- The battery percentage drops rapidly even during light use.
- The phone shuts down after a few hours despite minimal activity.
- Battery percentage jumps inconsistently (e.g., 85% to 60% suddenly).
Causes:
- Decreased battery capacity
- Damaged battery cells
- Background processes or power-hungry apps
🛠️ Solution: Check battery usage under Settings > Battery and monitor which apps consume the most power. If the battery drains even in Airplane Mode, it’s likely hardware-related.
Unexpected Shutdowns
A healthy battery should power your iPhone reliably throughout the day. If your phone shuts down:
Symptoms:
- Powering off at 20–30% battery
- Restarting randomly, especially during camera use or gaming
- Won’t turn back on without being plugged into a charger
Causes:
- Battery unable to deliver peak power
- Aged battery triggering performance throttling
- iOS safety protocols forcing a shutdown to protect internal components
📲 You may see a message under Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging indicating performance management has been applied.
Battery Health Below 80%
Apple provides a built-in feature to monitor battery health.
How to check:
- Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging
- Look at Maximum Capacity
If it’s below 80%, your battery has degraded enough to affect performance and may need replacement.
Swollen or Bulging Battery
Swelling is one of the most dangerous signs of battery failure.
Symptoms:
- Screen lifting from the frame or warping
- Visible bulge on the back panel
- Tapping sounds or poor screen response due to pressure
Causes:
- Gas buildup from internal chemical reactions
- Overheating
- Charging with unapproved cables
⚠️ Do not continue using a swollen battery. Power off your phone immediately and take it to an Apple Store or authorized service provider.
iPhone Runs Hot During Light Use
While it’s normal for your iPhone to warm up during charging or gaming, constant heat during regular use suggests battery issues.
Symptoms:
- The phone feels hot when browsing, texting, or idle
- Charging causes excessive heat
- Battery percentage drops while plugged in
Causes:
- Internal resistance from degraded cells
- Faulty charging circuitry
- Power leaks
🧊 Let your iPhone cool before using or charging. If the issue persists, have the battery inspected.
Longer Charging Times or Incomplete Charges
Charging behavior often changes as a battery fails.
Symptoms:
- Takes much longer to charge
- Gets stuck at a certain percentage (e.g., won’t go past 80%)
- Discharges immediately after unplugging
Causes:
- Battery no longer holds charge properly
- iOS halts charging due to temperature or voltage issues
🔌 Try using a certified Apple charger and cable. If the issue persists, it’s likely the battery’s fault.
🛠 What to Do If You Suspect Battery Failure
Step 1: Check Battery Health
- Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging
- If it says “Service Recommended,” the battery should be replaced
Step 2: Use Apple Support Tools
- Visit the https://support.apple.com/
- Use Apple’s Battery Service diagnostic tools or visit a local Apple Authorized Service Provider
Step 3: Replace the Battery
- If your device is under warranty or AppleCare+, the replacement may be free.
- Apple offers out-of-warranty battery replacements for a fee (typically ₹7,000–₹10,000 in India, depending on model).
🛡 How to Prevent Battery Issues
- Avoid full discharges (don’t let it hit 0% regularly).
- Don’t charge overnight with non-certified chargers.
- Enable “Optimized Battery Charging” in Battery Settings.
- Avoid overheating: keep your phone out of the sun and remove thick cases when charging.
✅ Summary: Key Signs Your iPhone Battery Is Failing
| Sign | Meaning | Action |
| Fast battery drain | Capacity has decreased | Monitor usage, consider replacement |
| Random shutdowns | Battery can’t meet power demands | Check performance management |
| Swelling or bulging | Dangerous battery failure | Stop use immediately, seek service |
| Battery Health < 80% | End-of-life for lithium battery | Apple recommends replacement |
| Phone overheating | Poor power efficiency | Let cool, avoid intense use while charging |
| Takes too long to charge | Capacity or charging circuit issue | Try new charger or seek professional help |
Meta Description:
Is your iPhone battery failing? Learn the top signs like swelling, quick drain, shutdowns, and how to check battery health. Find out when it’s time to replace your iPhone battery.
