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iOS 11.3: How to check if your iPhone is being slowed down

Apple's new battery health tool is now available; here's how to get it and what you need to know.

Jason Cipriani Contributing Writer, ZDNet
Jason Cipriani is based out of beautiful Colorado and has been covering mobile technology news and reviewing the latest gadgets for the last six years. His work can also be found on sister site CNET in the How To section, as well as across several more online publications.
Jason Cipriani
Sarah Tew/CNET

Apple just released iOS 11.3, and among other things, the updated includes a new tool to tell you whether or not your iPhone's battery needs to be replaced. 

Watch this: Tim Cook promises iOS update will stop iPhones from slowing down

Remember all of that drama when Apple admitted to throttling iPhones in order to save battery life? Well, this tool is a response to that. Not only will it tell you if your phone is being slowed down, but you can also disable any throttling or use it to determine if you need your battery replaced. 

Install iOS 11.3 in Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone. 

ios-11-3-beta-3-battery-health
Screenshots by Jason Cipriani/CNET

With iOS 11.3 installed on your iPhone, there's a new section on the Battery Settings page that details your battery's health. View it by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health (Beta). There you will see your battery's current health, as well as a description of how its health impacts performance.

ios-11-3-beta-2-apple-guide-battery-health
Apple, Inc.

If your iPhone's performance is being throttled, you will see a statement similar to the one above, where you can disable the feature if you want. However, if your iPhone does randomly shut down due to battery health and performance issues, this feature will automatically enable itself once again to prevent future shutdowns.

Also worth pointing out is that if iOS is unable to determine the health level of your battery, or if the level is low enough, you will be directed to take your iPhone to an Apple Store or an authorized service center to have it tested and possibly replaced.