Most people use their iPhone exactly the way Apple ships it. That’s fine, but it’s not ideal.
Out of the box settings are designed for everyone, not for performance, privacy, or battery life. A few small changes can make your iPhone feel faster, last longer, and leak less data.
If you use an iPhone daily, change these settings right now.
1. Turn On Low Power Mode (When You Actually Need It)
Low Power Mode is one of the most effective battery saving iPhone settings. It limits background activity, reduces visual effects, and pauses unnecessary syncing.
You don’t need to keep it on all the time, but using it during long days or travel makes a noticeable difference.
How to enable:
Settings → Battery → Low Power Mode
Pro tip: Add Low Power Mode to Control Center for quick access.
2. Disable Precise Location for Most Apps
Many apps ask for your exact location even when they don’t need it. This affects both privacy and battery life.
Apps like food delivery or maps may need precise location. Social media apps usually don’t.
Change it here:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services
Tap an app and turn off Precise Location.
This is one of the most important iPhone privacy settings to change.
Apple explains how iPhone location and privacy controls work
3. Stop Apple Ads Tracking
Apple shows ads in the App Store and Apple News based on your usage. You can turn this off completely.
It won’t remove ads, but it will stop personalized tracking.
How to turn it off:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Apple Advertising → Off
4. Limit Photo Access for Apps
A lot of apps ask for access to your entire photo library. Most of them don’t need it.
Apple lets you share only selected photos instead, and you should use that option.
Go to:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Photos
Choose “Selected Photos” or “Add Photos Only” for each app.
This simple change improves privacy without breaking app functionality.
5. Turn Off Background App Refresh for Unused Apps
Background App Refresh allows apps to update even when you are not using them. This quietly drains battery and mobile data.
You don’t need it enabled for every app.
Change it:
Settings → General → Background App Refresh
Turn it off completely or disable it for apps you rarely use.
6. Enable Dark Mode
If you use an iPhone with an OLED display, Dark Mode helps save battery. Dark pixels consume less power than bright ones.
It’s also easier on the eyes at night.
Enable it here:
Settings → Display & Brightness → Dark
7. Reduce Motion for a Faster Feel
Animations look nice, but they also make your phone feel slower. Reducing motion makes the interface feel quicker and more responsive.
This is a great tweak if your iPhone feels laggy.
How to do it:
Settings → Accessibility → Motion → Reduce Motion
8. Turn On Stolen Device Protection
This is a critical security setting many users miss.
Stolen Device Protection prevents someone from changing your Apple ID or disabling Find My without Face ID or Touch ID, even if they know your passcode.
Enable it:
Settings → Face ID & Passcode → Stolen Device Protection
If your phone is ever stolen, this setting can save your account.
9. Use Safety Check (Know Where It Is)
Safety Check lets you instantly reset all app access to location, photos, and contacts. It’s designed for emergencies, but everyone should know where it is.
You may never need it, but if you do, it’s invaluable.
Find it here:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Safety Check
10. Clean Up Your Control Center
The default Control Center is not optimized for how most people actually use their phone.
Remove what you don’t use and add shortcuts you need, like Low Power Mode, Screen Recording, or Notes.
Customize it:
Settings → Control Center
This saves time every single day.
11. Review Location System Services
iOS tracks location for system features like Significant Locations and analytics. Some of these are useful, others are not.
You can safely turn off several of them.
Go to:
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services → System Services
Disable anything you don’t recognize or need.
12. Turn Off Raise to Wake (Optional)
Raise to Wake turns the screen on every time you lift your phone. It’s convenient, but it also causes unnecessary screen activations.
If battery life matters more than convenience, turn it off.
Disable it:
Settings → Display & Brightness → Raise to Wake
13. Disable Always-On Display (If You Don’t Need It)
Always-On Display looks nice, but it still uses battery throughout the day.
If you don’t rely on it, turning it off can help extend battery life.
Path:
Settings → Display & Brightness → Always On Display → Off
Final Thoughts
Your iPhone is powerful, but default settings are not optimized for real-world use.
By changing these iPhone settings right now, you get better battery life, stronger privacy, and a smoother experience without installing any apps.
Revisit these settings after every major iOS update. Apple adds new options quietly, and some are worth adjusting.
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