Unlock Your iPhone's Full Potential: Top iOS 18.6 Settings to Enhance Performance and Battery Life

09/08/2025
Source: cnet
Apple's iOS 18.6 update brings significant improvements to iPhone performance, security, and user experience. While the update includes over 20 security patches and bug fixes, there are several settings you can adjust to further enhance your device's capabilities. Here are the top settings to change now:
1. Enable Optimized Battery Charging
To prolong your iPhone's battery lifespan, navigate to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging and enable Optimized Battery Charging. This feature learns your charging routine and reduces the time your iPhone spends fully charged, minimizing battery wear.
2. Customize App Background Activity
Limit background app refresh to save battery and improve performance. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and select Off or Wi-Fi to restrict apps from updating content in the background.
3. Adjust Location Services
Restricting location access can enhance privacy and conserve battery. Navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and review each app's location settings. Choose While Using the App or Never for apps that don't require constant location access.
4. Optimize Notifications
Excessive notifications can drain battery life and disrupt focus. Go to Settings > Notifications and customize notification settings for each app. Disable unnecessary notifications or set them to Scheduled Summary to receive them at designated times.
5. Enable Low Power Mode
When your battery is running low, activating Low Power Mode can extend usage time. Navigate to Settings > Battery and toggle on Low Power Mode. This reduces background activities and visual effects to conserve energy.
6. Manage Automatic Downloads and Updates
Automatic downloads and updates can consume data and battery. Go to Settings > App Store and disable App Updates and Automatic Downloads. Manually update apps when convenient to maintain control over data usage.
7. Review Privacy Settings
Enhance your privacy by adjusting app permissions. Navigate to Settings > Privacy & Security and review permissions for each app. Disable access to sensitive data like contacts, photos, and microphone for apps that don't require them.
8. Clear Safari Cache
Clearing Safari's cache can improve browser performance and free up storage space. Go to Settings > Safari and tap Clear History and Website Data. This removes browsing history, cookies, and cached data.
9. Disable Unnecessary Widgets
Widgets can consume resources even when not in use. To disable unnecessary widgets, swipe right on your Home Screen to access the Today View, scroll to the bottom, and tap Edit. Remove widgets that you don't need to save battery and improve performance.
10. Update Apps Regularly
Keeping your apps up to date ensures optimal performance and security. Open the App Store, tap your profile icon, and scroll to Available Updates. Tap Update All to install the latest versions of your apps.
Conclusion
Implementing these iOS 18.6 settings can significantly enhance your iPhone's performance, battery life, and security. By customizing these settings to suit your usage habits, you can ensure a smoother and more efficient device experience. Regularly reviewing and adjusting these settings will help maintain your iPhone's optimal performance over time.