How to check iPhone battery health and when to replace it

The battery is one of the fastest-wearing components in the iPhone. Over time it loses capacity and the phone starts draining faster. In this guide we'll walk through how to check battery health and when it's time to replace it.

Where to check battery health

Apple provides a built-in tool for checking battery health right inside iOS Settings. It's the fastest and most reliable way to assess wear.

1. 1Open Settings
2. 2Go to Battery
3. 3Tap Battery Health & Charging
4. 4Look at the Maximum Capacity value

What the numbers mean

Maximum Capacity is the percentage of the original brand-new battery capacity. New iPhones read 100%. It drops over time because of chemical processes inside the battery.

• 100%–90% – battery is in excellent condition
• 89%–80% – normal, you can use it for a long time
• 79%–70% – noticeable drop in battery life
• Below 70% – replacement recommended

When to replace

Apple recommends replacement once capacity drops below 80%. In reality, you should replace the battery when it starts interfering with your daily use: doesn't last until evening, shuts down in the cold, or won't fast-charge anymore.

How to extend battery life

• Avoid charging to 100% every day – 20–80% is optimal
• Don't leave your iPhone in the cold or in the heat
• Use Optimized Battery Charging in Settings
• Don't use cheap no-brand chargers

Signs your battery needs replacement

Beyond the numbers in Settings, there are physical signs that indicate the battery is due for replacement. These symptoms can appear even when the capacity reading is above 80%.

• Swelling – the screen starts separating from the frame, a gap appears between them
• The iPhone gets noticeably hot during everyday tasks like messaging, calls, or browsing
• The phone shuts down at 20–30% charge, especially in cold weather
• Charging to 100% takes significantly longer than it used to
• Battery drains from 100% to 50% in 2–3 hours under normal use

Battery replacement at Balkan HUB

Battery replacement at our service center takes between 30 minutes and 1 hour depending on the model. We use quality cells with capacity equal to or higher than the original. The price starts from 2,500 RSD for older models and depends on the specific iPhone.

• Battery diagnostics before replacement – free
• Warranty on battery replacement – 90 days
• After replacement we calibrate the battery and verify all functions
• We use quality cells with original or higher capacity

Common myths about iPhone batteries

There are many myths surrounding iPhone batteries. Let's debunk the most common ones and explain how things actually work.

Myth 1: You must unplug your phone before bed

Modern iPhones have a built-in Optimized Battery Charging feature that pauses charging at 80% and tops up to 100% closer to your wake-up time. This minimizes wear. Leaving your iPhone charging overnight is completely safe.

Myth 2: Force-closing apps saves battery

Force-quitting apps from the app switcher doesn't save battery – in fact, it uses more energy to relaunch them. iOS manages background processes efficiently on its own.

Myth 3: You need to "break in" a new battery with full cycles

Lithium-ion batteries in iPhones have no memory effect. Full discharges to zero actually harm the battery more than help it. Charge your iPhone whenever you want – no "break-in" period is needed.

Myth 4: Third-party chargers ruin the battery

Quality MFi-certified chargers from third-party manufacturers are perfectly safe. The problem lies only with cheap no-name chargers without certification – they can deliver unstable current and cause the device to overheat.