Racing to launch an app while your slow iPhone crawls like it’s powered by a hamster wheel? Apple’s infamous “Batterygate” throttling isn’t ancient history—it’s happening right now, probably on the device in your pocket.
Your iPhone Tells You Everything
Apple now reveals exactly when and why your phone slows down.
Navigate to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging, and you’ll find Apple’s confession booth. The “Maximum Capacity” reading shows your battery’s remaining juice compared to when it was factory-fresh. Once that number hits 80% or below, iOS starts throttling your processor to prevent random shutdowns. If you see a performance management notice underneath, congratulations—you’re officially being throttled.
Benchmarks Don’t Lie
Numbers reveal what Apple’s algorithms are actually doing to your performance.
Download Geekbench 6 and run a speed test. Compare your scores to the averages for your iPhone model online. Seeing results 20-30% below normal? That’s throttling in action, not your imagination. The difference between a throttled and healthy iPhone 12 can be dramatic—like watching Netflix in 4K versus buffering potato quality. For context, this degradation typically begins after 2-3 years of typical use, giving you a clearer timeline for when to expect issues.
Battery Replacement Fixes Everything
One simple repair restores full performance instantly.
Apple charges around $99 for battery replacement, though independent repair shops typically charge $50-70 for the same service. After the swap, run Geekbench again—your scores will jump back to factory levels like your phone just chugged an energy drink. This isn’t planned obsolescence; it’s physics. Lithium-ion battery degrade naturally, but replacing them brings your device back from the dead.
You Can Override Apple’s Decision
iOS lets you disable throttling, but you’ll accept the shutdown risk.
After an unexpected shutdown, iOS offers to disable performance management in your battery settings. You can turn off throttling entirely, though Apple warns about instability until you replace the battery. Some base-level power management always remains for safety, but you regain most control over your device’s speed versus stability trade-off.
Your slow iPhone isn’t necessarily old—it might just need CPR.
