Don't get me wrong - I love using the browser. Chrome On iOS, however, Apple's strict requirements for all third-party apps to adhere to the WebKit standard mean that apps consistently lag behind Safari in performance. This often results in poor battery life on the iPhone or iPad because Google hasn't optimized Chrome for iOS for power efficiency.
Additionally, I've also found that Chrome can often drain your battery faster than usual. There are a variety of reasons why this happens, some related to general issues and some related to the browser itself. So, let's examine each of those reasons. Hopefully, we can move from the negative side of rapid battery consumption to the positive side with Chrome, which places less of a strain on battery life.
- Note: Consider using the iOS Battery Monitor tool after going through each of the solutions below to determine if there are any improvements to your battery life. Tap "Battery" in the Settings app to access it.
Force exit the application
Quitting an app may seem like a silly thing to do, but it's a great starting point for fixing almost any problem. If you haven't completely quit Chrome after using it for a while, there's a major software glitch in it that's continuing to develop behind the scenes and consume battery resources in disguise. So, you should leave it off your battery.
To force quit Chrome, swipe up from the bottom of your iPhone or iPad screen. Hold your finger in the center of the screen to reveal the app switcher. Then, select and swipe up on the Chrome app card to force quit.
Launch Chrome and start browsing normally for a while to see if it still drains your battery as it did before. If so, let's dive into other potential solutions.
Restart iPhone/iPad
If quitting Chrome doesn't stop Chrome from draining your battery faster than usual, it's time to restart your iPhone or iPad. This clears unnecessary app data from memory and provides a clean slate to start Chrome from.
To do this, briefly hold down the Power button, then swipe up when prompted. On iOS devices without a Home button (iPhone X and later), press and hold both the Power button and one of the Volume buttons to bring up the Slide to Power Off prompt.
Once your iPhone or iPad has shut down, simply press the power button again to restart it. Start using Chrome for a while and see if you notice a difference in battery life.
Disable location service
Location services on iPhone and iPad are a huge battery drainer, regardless of the app you're using. In this case, Chrome's default search engine uses Google all the time to generate location-based results. Furthermore, you may have "allowed" various other sites to use the feature to determine your location.
To turn off location services for Chrome, use the following steps.
Step 1: Open the iOS Settings app and tap Privacy. On the next screen, tap Location Services, then tap Chrome.
Step 2: Select Never, then go back to save your changes.
Chrome can no longer use location services. You should notice a significant difference in battery life from here on out. The downside: less relevant search results and a generally poor experience on location-based sites. It's a worthwhile trade-off, especially since location services also pose a privacy issue.
Clear browsing data
Another reason Chrome can use up battery life quickly is due to an outdated browser cache. Often, excess cookies and site data can cause your browser to loop endlessly when loading websites. Furthermore, tracking cookies can also follow you across sites. This puts additional strain on your device. You can check if this is the case by clearing your browsing data.
Step 1: Open the Chrome menu (click the three-dot icon), click Settings, and then click Privacy. On the Privacy screen, click Clear browsing data.
Step 2: Check the options labeled "Browsing data," "Cookies and site data," and "Cached images and files." Finally, click "Clear browsing data" to clear your browser's cache.
- Warning: Make sure to leave the Saved Passwords and Autofill options unchecked to prevent your passwords and Autofill data from being deleted.
Clearing your browser cache is a pain, as you have to log in again to most sites. Unless you use a browser manager, password. But if you experience abnormal reductions in battery life, this is something you need to consider.
Block ads and tracking
Clearing your browser cache prevents websites from tracking you for a moment. But then another tracker arrives on your device, and the problem starts all over again. Combine that with the sheer number of ads that most websites serve, and the strain on your iPhone or iPad can be significant.
Since Chrome for iOS doesn't support content blockers, you need to use two workarounds instead. One method involves adding AdGuard DNS servers to your Wi-Fi connection. Head to the Settings app, tap Wi-Fi, tap the i-shaped icon next to your Wi-Fi hotspot, and then tap Configure DNS to begin adding AdGuard DNS, as shown in the image below.
This appears to only block ads when browsing on Wi-Fi. Alternatively, you can choose to use a free app called DNSCloak, which helps you block ads when using cellular data. However, this may not be a practical option in your case, as the app is not available in most regions.
Use Wi-Fi Assistance / Turn Cellular Data On or Off
Are you using cellular data to browse in Chrome? If your cellular connections are weak, the mobile radio on your iPhone and iPad works overtime to stay connected. This translates to significant reductions in battery life. Either switch to Wi-Fi to browse the web, or better yet, use Wi-Fi when your cellular connection automatically switches to Wi-Fi.
In the Settings app, tap Cellular Data (or Mobile Data in certain areas). Scroll all the way down, then turn on the toggle next to Wi-Fi Assist. This should prompt iOS to switch to known Wi-Fi hotspots in situations where cellular reception is poor.
Update/Reinstall the App
If you're still experiencing unusual battery life drops while browsing in Chrome, you might want to consider updating the app. The latest updates regularly fix bugs and hopefully resolve any browser issues. Head to the App Store, check for updates, and tap Update next to Chrome if available.
If this doesn't work, consider reinstalling Chrome. Make sure you sync your important browsing data (passwords and autofill data) before doing this.
- Tip: Sign in to your Google Account via the Chrome settings panel. To synchronize Your browsing data. This will help you restore this data after reinstalling the browser.
To uninstall Chrome, press and hold the Chrome icon on your Home screen, then tap the small x-shaped icon once it starts wiggling. Then, launch the App Store, search for Chrome, and reinstall it.
A complete removal and reinstallation will likely fix any persistent or underlying issues with Chrome. Hopefully, this will trick the browser into stopping excessive battery consumption.
Browse without worry
Hopefully, you won't experience a sudden drop in battery life after following these recommendations. Turning off location services and clearing your browser cache worked for me. But other fixes may help in your case, too.
Let's not rule out the fact that something unrelated could be causing the problem. If none of the suggested solutions work, you may also want to check out our general battery-saving tips for iPhone and iPad.
