Bluetooth is a convenient wireless technology that allows iPhones to connect to accessories like wireless headphones, speakers, cars, and more. However, keeping Bluetooth turned on all the time can drain your iPhone’s battery faster. So does turning off Bluetooth actually help save battery life on your iPhone?
The short answer
Yes, turning off Bluetooth can help save some battery life on your iPhone. However, the amount of battery savings will depend on how much you use Bluetooth connections.
How Bluetooth drains your iPhone battery
Bluetooth works by using short-range radio waves to transmit data between devices. This constant wireless communication requires power from your iPhone’s battery. Here are some specific ways Bluetooth can drain your battery:
- Having Bluetooth turned on uses power even when not connected – Your iPhone is constantly scanning for nearby Bluetooth devices to connect to, which uses battery.
- Maintaining an active Bluetooth connection – Actively streaming audio or transferring data over Bluetooth requires more battery than just having Bluetooth on.
- Poor Bluetooth connection – A weak or unstable Bluetooth connection forces your iPhone to work harder, using more power.
So if you have Bluetooth turned on all the time but aren’t actively using any Bluetooth accessories, your iPhone’s battery is still being drained somewhat as it searches for connections. This can add up over time.
How much battery can turning off Bluetooth save?
The amount of battery turning off Bluetooth saves depends on your usage. Here are some estimates based on different use cases:
| Bluetooth Usage | Estimated Battery Savings |
|---|---|
| No active connections, Bluetooth left on | 5-10% over 16 hours |
| Streaming audio to Bluetooth headset 2 hours a day | 10-15% over 16 hours |
| Connected to Bluetooth accessory all day | 15-25% over 16 hours |
As you can see, battery savings is small if you just have Bluetooth on without using it. But if you actively use Bluetooth for multiple hours in a day, turning it off when not needed can extend battery life by over 20%.
When should you turn off Bluetooth?
Here are some good times to turn off Bluetooth to save battery:
- When you’re not using any Bluetooth accessories – No need to keep it on if you’re not connected to anything.
- At night or for long periods of inactivity – Bluetooth only needs to be on when you’re actively using a paired accessory.
- If you won’t need it during your day – If you don’t plan on using any Bluetooth accessories, disabling it can extend battery life.
- On airplanes – Bluetooth is usually prohibited on airplanes, so make sure to turn it off.
- Temporarily in areas with no reception – Turn it off in elevators, basements, or other areas where it can’t connect.
Essentially, any time you won’t be using Bluetooth devices for an extended period, disabling Bluetooth can provide minor battery savings.
When should you leave Bluetooth on?
Here are some times it’s best to leave Bluetooth enabled:
- When using Bluetooth speakers, headphones, cars, etc. – Obviously you’ll need it on to use accessories.
- For Bluetooth location services – Some apps leverage Bluetooth for location data.
- When expecting files or messages – Useful for quickly receiving content via Bluetooth.
- With Bluetooth accessories like smartwatches – They need a constant Bluetooth connection.
- For Bluetooth keyboards and mice – Keep it enabled for your input accessories.
So it’s best to leave Bluetooth enabled any time you need to actively use a Bluetooth device or service.
Tips for saving battery with Bluetooth
Here are some additional tips to minimize Bluetooth’s battery drain:
- Unpair devices you don’t use – Fewer paired devices means less battery use scanning and connecting.
- Turn off Bluetooth when not in use – Disable it temporarily if you won’t need it.
- Avoid unstable connections – Weak Bluetooth connections use more power trying to maintain the link.
- Update Bluetooth accessories – Older devices may connect less efficiently.
- Use Airplane Mode on flights – This quickly disables both cellular and Bluetooth.
- Turn off Bluetooth visibility – Other devices can still connect but yours won’t be discoverable.
- Disable background Bluetooth – Stops apps using Bluetooth when not actively in use.
Practicing smart Bluetooth management like this can help maximize your iPhone’s battery life.
The bottom line
Turning off Bluetooth does save battery on iPhones – but the amount depends on your specific usage. If you just have it on without connections, savings are minor. But if you stream Bluetooth audio or use connected accessories regularly, turning Bluetooth off when not in use can extend battery life by 15-25%.
The key is being smart about when you really need Bluetooth enabled. Turn it off when not using connected devices for long periods. But keep it on when actively leveraging Bluetooth accessories and services to get the most out of your iPhone.
With some mindful usage, you can take advantage of Bluetooth’s convenience without significantly draining your battery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does turning off Bluetooth save a lot of battery?
No, turning off Bluetooth only saves a minor amount of battery if you just have it enabled without using any Bluetooth connections. But if you actively use Bluetooth devices and connections throughout the day, turning Bluetooth off when not needed can extend battery life more significantly, by around 15-25%.
Should I turn off Bluetooth when not using it?
It’s generally recommended to turn off Bluetooth when you won’t be using any Bluetooth accessories or services for an extended period of time. This includes times like when sleeping, on airplane mode, or in areas without reception. However, it’s fine to leave it on if you’ll only have it off for short periods.
Does Bluetooth drain iPhone battery when not connected?
Yes, having Bluetooth turned on without any active connections still uses some battery in the background as your iPhone scans for nearby devices. However, this drain is minor compared to the battery used while maintaining an active Bluetooth connection.
Should I turn off Bluetooth on my iPhone every night?
Turning off Bluetooth overnight can help extend battery life slightly since you likely won’t be using Bluetooth devices while sleeping. However, unless you actively use Bluetooth throughout the day, the savings may be marginal and not worth the hassle for some users.
Will turning off Bluetooth break connections?
Yes, turning off Bluetooth on your iPhone will break any current Bluetooth connections, such as to wireless headphones or speakers. Your paired Bluetooth devices will remember your iPhone and reconnect once Bluetooth is enabled again, however.
Conclusion
Turning off Bluetooth can save battery on iPhones, but the amount depends on your usage. While minor for just having Bluetooth on, disabling it when not using Bluetooth accessories or services for extended periods can extend battery life by 15% or more. Manage Bluetooth wisely based on your needs for optimal battery efficiency.