How to check battery health in iOS 11.3

Beginning with iOS 11.3, users can check battery health status from the Settings section itself. Here’s how this feature this works and how you can make use of it to ensure your battery is in tip-top shape.

Battery Health Status feature explained     

As you might remember, the Batterygate scandal created quite a ruckus a few months back.

Apple intentionally inserted code into aging iPhone models that throttled CPU performance in order to prevent shutdowns.

Although throttling was implemented as a protective measure, iPhone users didn’t take it lightly. Intense public pressure coerced Apple into accepting its mistake.

Consequently, iOS 11.3 now comes with an inbuilt power management feature.

This feature is called “Battery Health” and is currently in beta stage. It is divided into two section, namely –

• Maximum Capacity
• Peak Performance Capability

Maximum Capacity

Maximum Capacity measures your iPhone’s battery capacity in terms of percentage.

When you unbox your iPhone, its battery capacity is 100%. However, daily usage and charge cycles gradually result in a significantly reduced capacity.

As the capacity drops, the standby time will also deteriorate. Experiencing a decline in standby time is normal when you have been using your iPhone for a few months.

However, if this value is below 80%, I highly recommend getting your battery replaced.

Peak Performance Capability

Peak Performance Capability determines whether or not your device is capable of performing tasks optimally under the current circumstances.

iOS will automatically enable the “Peak Performance Limit” in case your iPhone reboots abruptly.

Here’s what the different messages

• If your battery has an excellent capacity, it will display “Your battery is currently supporting normal peak performance”.
• If your device experiences an unexpected shutdown, performance management will automatically get enabled. You can disable this option by tapping the Disable.. button.
• If your battery is in a critical condition, it will prompt you to get a replacement from an authorized Apple Store.
• If your battery status is indeterminate, it will prompt you to get a replacement from an authorized Apple Store.

Which iPhone models can use this feature?

• iPhone 6/6 plus
• iPhone 6s/6s plus
• iPhone SE
• iPhone 7/7 plus

Newer devices such as iPhone 8/8 plus and iPhone X don’t have throttling enabled. The reason behind this is that these models come with a powerful processor and battery, which doesn’t warrant the need for throttling.

How to check Maximum Capacity and Peak Performance Capability      

Step 1 Open the Settings app.

Step 2 Open the Battery section and tap Battery Health (Beta).

Step 3 Check the capacity and the peak performance capability values.

Step 4 Ensure everything is in working order. If it isn’t, consider getting a battery replacement. If you are feeling rich, you can also upgrade your iPhone altogether.

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