Find out what's killing your iPhone battery

Apple makes it simple to identify rogue apps.

Author

Lewis Wallace
February 11, 2023

If your iPhone battery seems to be draining more quickly than it should, Apple makes it easy to figure out which apps are to blame. This week’s featured how-to explains how to pinpoint problematic apps, and also serves up some tips on maximizing your iPhone’s battery life.

Also on the docket this week:

Enjoy your weekend!

— Lewis Wallace, managing editor

Find out what’s killing your iPhone battery

iOS will show you exactly which apps are draining your iPhone battery. Here's where to look (plus some other tips for boosting battery life).

News

Siri desperately needs some ChatGPT-like smarts

ChatGPT shows the world that AI can do amazing things, so it’s even more obvious that Apple's version is as dumb as a bag of hammers.

Apple execs reveal what went wrong with Intel

Cupertino leaders discuss what pulled Apple away from Intel, what they’re doing to make the Mac a gaming platform, and when the best time is to buy a new Mac.

'iPhone Ultra' concept envisions what a titanium iPhone might look like

A designer wondered if the rumored "iPhone Ultra" might be an iPhone Pro mixed with an Apple Watch Ultra, and dreamed up a concept device.

Why the Mac Pro might lack upgradable RAM and eGPUs

The much-anticipated 2023 Mac Pro will almost certainly lack features considered critical for workstations: upgradable RAM and support for eGPUs.

HomePod 2 teardown reveals it's far easier to repair than the original

A teardown video from iFixit shows that getting into the recently launched HomePod 2 is dramatically easier than opening up its predecessor.

Clever iOS 17 concept wishes for Split View, sideloading and more

A concept artist created a video with a wish list of features for iOS 17, including displaying two applications at once and sideloading apps.

How-tos

Translate text anywhere on your iPhone

You can instantly translate text anywhere on your iPhone and Mac. You don’t need to futz around retyping or copying text into a Google Translate tab — you can select text and get translations from 11 languages wherever you are.

How to add your medical records and vaccine card to Apple Health

Add your medical records to the Apple Health app and your COVID-19 vaccine card to Wallet for easier access to all your health history, medications, test results and data — as long as your health care provider supports it.

How to get the latest HomePod software update

HomePod Software 16.3.1 is out. Here’s how to make sure your Apple smart speaker has the latest software version.

Forget Instagram glamour — celebrate the banality of daily life with BeReal

How do you use BeReal, one of the top new social media apps? It’s simple: You and your friends get one (and only one) opportunity to post a picture a day, all at the same time.

Find the highest-quality original images online with Reverse Image Search

You can use Google reverse image search to find the original high-quality version of an image online. This handy tool will let you upload an image you have and find matches all around the web.

Deals

Take 15% off 173 useful Elago accessories for Apple devices

Elago makes a staggering array of accessories for Apple products, from chargers to cases that look like classic gear from yesteryear. And it’s all on sale now in the Cult of Mac Store. Shop now, because the sale ends Monday.

Plus, more sales from the Cult of Mac Store:

Become an Amazon drop shipper with this $39 training bundle

Study up on how you can make a buck (or two) with this 11-course Amazon drop shipping bundle. It's now on sale for just $39.99.

This 14-port docking station will keep all your gear connected

The versatile mbeat docking station is primed to provide a breakthrough in efficiency and make connectivity easier than ever. Save 20%!

These discounted translation earbuds know 37 languages

Learning a new language is great and all, but these affordable Bluetooth earbuds let you talk to the locals ASAP.

This 3-in-1 wireless charging station is a perfect piece of travel gear

Why pack multiple chargers and/or cables when you’re heading out on your next trip? This space-saving charging station is a triple threat.

Reviews

It's Leanne against the world in a shockingly good episode of ‘Servant’ [Apple TV+ recap]

Sean and Dorothy throw a party this week on “Servant,” the Apple TV+ show about a nanny who is more than she seems and the family harboring her. Leanne is starting to notice that her adopted family isn’t being quite as familial and loving as she’d like. And she decides something must be done about it.

Plus, more Apple TV+ recaps:

Incredibly clever selfie stick does triple duty as tripod and remote [Reviews] ★★★★★

The SwitchEasy EasySelfie is a fantastically clever combination of three products -- a selfie stick, a portable tripod and a camera remote -- and it pulls off all three pretty well.

Super-slim new hub adds the ports a MacBook needs [Review] ★★★★★

The Satechi Pro Hub Slim plugs into the side of a MacBook to expand the ports available. The USB-C hub is sleek enough for the latest models.

Handy mount turns iPhone into MacBook webcam and more [Review] ★★★☆☆

SwitchEasy's MagEasy MagLink Magnetic iPhone Mount for MacBooks isn't super-stable, but it gets the job done on the cheap.

Setups

13 ways to improve this dual-Studio Display workstation

The user behind this M1 Max MacBook Pro rig got a baker's dozen tips when he asked how to improve upon it.

Triple-display MacBook Pro rig perches in attic 'closet'

A room is what you make of it, and this setup finds a home in a room only a computer science student could envision.

Bare-bones mobile workstation is ready for anything, anywhere

A journalist uses an incredibly spare but effective MacBook Air-based setup to get work done almost anywhere.