To save iPhone battery life widgets, remove the widgets you do not need and turn off location access for the apps behind them. These are the two most effective steps Apple documents to stop widget-related battery drain, as widgets can use background refresh, location, notifications, and frequent updates depending on their design.
Why widgets are draining your battery
Widgets can contribute to battery drain because they rely on background activity to stay current. A widget’s impact depends on its design, specifically how often it refreshes and whether it uses location services, notifications, or network access. For example, a weather widget that updates every few minutes and checks your GPS location will consume more power than a static clock widget.
How to save iPhone battery life from widgets
No single fix works for every widget, so applying all these steps together gives the best result.
Use Low Power Mode: enable it in Settings > Battery to pause widget background updates when your battery is low. Close Unused Apps: swipe up and hold to open the App Switcher, then swipe unused apps away to stop their background activity.
Remove widgets you don't need
Removing unused widgets stops them from running background tasks entirely. Here is how to delete them on iPhone and iPad:
- On the iPhone Home Screen, touch and hold the widget, tap Remove Widget, then tap Remove.
- In Today View (the screen to the left of the Home Screen), scroll to the bottom, tap Edit, tap the minus symbol next to the widget, tap Remove, then tap Done.
- On iPad, use the same add/remove widget controls Apple documents for both iPhone and iPad to delete widgets from Today View and the Home Screen.
Limit the number of widgets on your home screen
Every widget you keep adds background activity. Keep only the widgets you check several times a day. For example, if you have multiple battery-check widgets, remove all but one, Apple documents adding the Batteries widget to check battery percentage, which implies you can remove extra ones. Decluttering also makes your Home Screen easier to navigate.
Turn off location access for widget apps
Location services are a major source of battery drain for widgets like weather, maps, or transit. Follow this documented path to stop it:
- Go to Settings > Privacy > Location Services.
- Find the app behind the widget (for example, Weather).
- Set location access to Never if the widget does not need your location to function. If you still want the widget but without location, choose Never.
If the widget is from another app, use that app’s entry under Location Services and set it to Never. Apple’s battery-usage page links suggestions like this to the related settings, making it one of the fastest documented fixes.
Update your iOS software
Apple’s battery-usage page directs users to Settings > Battery, where suggestions can take you to related settings. While no widget-specific battery fix is tied to a particular iOS version, installing the latest iOS update ensures you have general battery performance improvements and bug fixes. For the battery percentage feature, on iOS 16 and later you can enable it in Settings > Battery > Battery Percentage on both iPhone and iPad.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do widgets always drain battery?
No. Their impact depends on the widget’s functions, especially refresh frequency and location use. A simple widget that updates rarely may have negligible effect.
Can I set widget refresh rates on iPhone?
The only way to control refresh frequency is to remove or replace the widget.
What is the fastest documented battery-saving step?
Remove widgets you do not need and reduce location access for widget apps that use it. These two steps stop the most common causes of widget-related drain immediately.
What happens if I turn off optimized charging?
Turning off optimized charging means your iPhone or iPad will charge to 100% immediately rather than pausing at 80% until needed. This does not fix widget drain; it only affects long-term battery health during charging.
How do I turn on battery saver?
Turning on battery saver (Low Power Mode) reduces background activity across the device, including widget updates. Go to Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode to enable it when you need extra battery life.
Why is my battery draining so fast on my iPad and iPhone?
Fast battery drain on both devices often comes from widgets refreshing in the background, apps using location services, or high screen brightness. Check Settings > Battery for a breakdown of usage by app and widget.
Are there specific widgets that drain battery more than others?
Yes. Widgets that use live location tracking, frequent network refreshes, or real-time animations, like weather, maps, and news tickers, drain battery faster than static widgets like notes or clocks.
Are there alternative ways to access widget functionalities without draining battery?
You can open the app directly instead of using its widget, or use Siri Suggestions and the App Library to get quick access without keeping a widget active on your Home Screen.
