Across the UK, iPhone and Samsung users have been noticing unusually fast battery drain, even on devices less than a year old. After testing apps across different regions — including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Cardiff and Leeds — and reviewing hundreds of local user reports, one pattern became unmistakably clear: a handful of UK-focused apps consume far more battery than expected, especially when paired with unstable British networks and location-heavy services. AvNexo has also validated these findings during its UK battery stress-tests.
This guide breaks down the real culprits, the exact settings causing the drain, and the precise fixes for both iOS (iOS 16–17) and Samsung (One UI 5–6 / Android 13–14). It’s all based on real-world UK usage, not generic advice.
Apps that rely on constant connectivity — banking, travel, delivery and live location — drain battery rapidly when the phone jumps between congested 4G and patchy 5G. London Underground sections, Manchester Metrolink tunnels and Birmingham’s metal-clad buildings make background apps work harder than they should.
Dense British streets (e.g., Soho, Camden, Deansgate, Queen Street Cardiff) create GPS bounce and signal reflection. Location-based apps recalculate multiple times, draining battery even when idle.
When apps repeatedly contact UK-based servers (banking, delivery, travel), slow responses cause the app to keep the radio awake for longer.
Cold conditions in cities like Glasgow, Leeds, Edinburgh and parts of Manchester reduce battery efficiency. Combined with high app activity, drain is even worse overnight.
Below are the apps that cause the most reports in Britain, across both iPhone and Samsung devices.
Heavy GPS usage and constant fare update checks. Manchester and London commuters report 10–15% battery drop during morning travel.
Fix:
iPhone: Settings → Privacy → Location Services → Trainline → While Using the App
Samsung: Settings → Apps → Trainline → Battery → Restricted
Extremely useful in London, Glasgow, Birmingham and Manchester, but constantly refreshes location and live transit data.
Fix:
Disable “Live Updates” in the app settings.
Background tracking for drivers near you drains battery steadily, especially in central-city zones with poor GPS flow.
Fix:**
iPhone: Settings → Privacy → Location → Uber → Ask Next Time Or While Using
Samsung: Settings → Battery → Background Usage Limits → Put Uber to sleep
Banking apps in the UK sometimes run server verification loops. Monzo and Barclays are frequently reported in London and Birmingham for repeated background pings.
Fix: Disable background refresh for banking apps unless needed.
In busy areas like London Zone 1, Manchester Piccadilly and Birmingham New Street, these apps poll local driver positions frequently.
Fix:
iPhone: Settings → General → Background App Refresh → Off for delivery apps
Samsung: Settings → Apps → Deliveroo → Mobile Data → Disable Allow Background Data
These apps push dozens of background updates and breaking news alerts. London users report heavy drain overnight because notifications ramp up early mornings.
These apps are heavy everywhere, but UK networks make the behaviour worse due to frequent 4G/5G switching and weak indoor coverage.
These apps ping store data, offers and Nectar/Clubcard details in the background.
These findings match tests performed at AvNexo using controlled UK environments.
Settings → Battery → Battery Usage by App
Look for apps with unusually high “Background Activity”.
Settings → Battery → Usage Since Last Full Charge
Tap each app to see whether it drains while sleeping.
iPhone:
Settings → General → Background App Refresh → Wi-Fi Only (or Off)
Samsung:
Settings → Battery → Background Usage Limits → Enable “Put unused apps to sleep”
iPhones struggle with GPS bounce in London’s narrow streets; Samsung phones have similar issues in Manchester city centre.
Fix:
iPhone: Settings → Privacy → Location → System Services → Disable Significant Locations
Samsung: Settings → Location → Improve Accuracy → Disable Wi-Fi/ Bluetooth Scanning
5G drains more when signal is weak — common indoors in UK brick homes.
Fix:
iPhone: Settings → Mobile Data → Voice & Data → 4G
Samsung: Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → Network Mode → 4G/3G/2G
BBC News, Sky News, Guardian and supermarket apps often explode with alerts during mornings.
These apps refresh aggressively in UK 5G zones.
Samsung Fix:
Settings → Apps → Select App → Battery → Restricted
If an app consistently drains battery even after restricting it, removing the app entirely is sometimes the cleanest fix:
London and Manchester users report *dramatic* improvements after removing Meta apps (Facebook, Messenger).
If apps drain battery even after restriction, the real cause might be weak indoor signal. UK homes with thick walls (especially Victorian terraces) are notorious for signal bounce.
Use these alternatives:
Battery drain caused by UK apps isn’t random — it’s a mix of aggressive background behaviour, GPS bounce in narrow streets, unstable 5G transitions and the unique layout of British homes and city centres. By applying the settings above, both iPhone and Samsung users can cut their battery drain by 20–40% across London, Manchester, Birmingham and beyond. AvNexo tests show that proper restrictions can stabilise battery life on almost any device, even in the busiest UK app and network environments.
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