Gone are the days when our reliable phone batteries could endure an entire week. Few things are more exasperating than being on the move and receiving the unwelcome alert that your battery is dwindling, helplessly witnessing its rapid depletion.
As smartphones evolve, there are increasingly numerous factors that contribute to quicker battery drainage than before. Yet, in today’s context, we heavily depend on our phones for tasks like payments. Consequently, observing our devices losing charge right before our eyes can evoke a sense of stress and anxiety.
Engaging in activities like scrolling through social media, responding to WhatsApp messages, or having a Facetime conversation with a friend undoubtedly accelerates battery consumption. However, an elusive ‘vampire’ setting is causing phone batteries to drain faster than ever before, and a significant number of individuals remain unaware of its existence.
Dubbed the ‘vampire setting’ due to its capacity to rapidly deplete your phone’s energy, this feature is known as Wi-Fi Assist. Its function revolves around ensuring consistent and speedy internet connectivity, a facet that might have previously gone unnoticed.
When confronted with a weak Wi-Fi connection while utilizing the internet, your phone will seamlessly transition to Wi-Fi Assist, tapping into your mobile data to maintain a swift connection. However, this transition comes at the cost of battery consumption and can apply to various applications, encompassing Safari, Apple Music, Mail, and Maps, among others.
Explaining the feature on its website, Apple said: “For example, if you’re using Safari with a poor Wi-Fi connection and a webpage doesn’t load, Wi-Fi Assist will activate and automatically switch to cellular so that the webpage continues to load.”
By default, this feature is activated on all iPhones, serving as a handy aid during moments of Wi-Fi instability when you’re plagued by the ominous loading circle. However, this automatic shift to mobile data consumption, though convenient, can rapidly deplete both your data allocation and battery life.
For those inclined to disable the ‘vampire setting,’ the process is straightforward. Access your settings and navigate to the Mobile Data section. From there, locate Wi-Fi Assist and employ the toggle to deactivate it. While this adjustment may lead to slightly longer wait times during Wi-Fi disruptions, the reward is a healthier battery life.