Reddit is one of the most popular social media platforms. However, some iOS users have reported issues with the official Reddit mobile app excessively draining iPhone’s battery life and consuming so much mobile data.
Luckily, there are several troubleshooting steps that can be tried to identify and resolve the root cause. With patience and methodical testing of different variables, the right solution is often discoverable. Keep reading for an in-depth examination of potential fixes for this battery drain and too much data consumption issue.
How to Fix Reddit iOS App Draining Battery or Consuming Too Much Data Issue
Update the Reddit App
It’s best to always use the latest version of any software to benefit from ongoing improvements and bug fixes over time. Reddit regularly releases updates through the App Store to optimize performance, squash glitches, and patch security vulnerabilities.
To check for updates, open the App Store app and select the menu icon in the top left. Select “Updates” to view a list of all apps with newer versions available for download. If an update is shown for Reddit, tap the button to initiate the download process. Once complete, restarting the Reddit app applies the changes.
If no update is available but issues persist, don’t lose hope. Sometimes updating the operating system itself can resolve compatibility problems between older apps and newer iOS versions under the hood. Be sure to update iOS to the most current release as well.
Disable Background App Refresh
When Background App Refresh is enabled, apps are allowed to automatically update content and download new information even while inactive and in the background. This provides up-to-date timelines without needing to manually refresh each app individually.
However, this constant background activity utilizes extra processing power, data bandwidth, and battery life over time. For Reddit, where posts are rarely time-sensitive, suspending this convenience feature is worth testing to assess the impact on resource usage.
To disable Background App Refresh for Reddit:
- Open the Settings app
- Select “General”
- Select “Background App Refresh”
- Toggle the slider OFF next to the Reddit app listing
With any luck, restricting background network activity and processing may eliminate some excess battery drain or data consumption behind the scenes.
Clear the Cache
Much like how web browsers maintain a cache of temporary files to optimize page loading speeds, apps also generate application cache data over time. While helpful for performance, large or outdated cache files can hog storage space.
For Reddit, cached data includes things like thumbnail images, preview videos, and previously loaded content that’s been stored locally in case someone wants to revisit it again quickly later on without using additional bandwidth.
However, as these files accumulate with usage, they end up consuming more and more on-device storage that may never be reclaimed automatically. To clear it out:
- Open the Settings app
- Select the name of the Reddit account
- Select “Storage & Cache”
- Tap “Clear Cache”
This will delete any cached content that’s no longer needed, potentially freeing up a significant amount of storage capacity and reducing consumption needs overall. It’s a simple housekeeping task worth trying regularly for all apps.
Use Low Data Mode
For users on limited data plans prone to going over monthly allotments, enabling the iPhone’s global Low Data Mode acts as a protective governor. It restricts how much data all apps, including Reddit, can consume wirelessly in the background to reduce usage.
To turn it on:
- Open the Settings app
- Select “Cellular”
- Flip the switch next to “Low Data Mode” to the ON position
Low Data Mode inhibits things like automatic photo/video downloads and restricts other bandwidth-intensive background activities. It’s a useful troubleshooting step that may eliminate unwantedReddit-related usage without diminishing core functionality for casual browsing.