battery health has been 81% since last November

You have done nothing wrong. The Battery Health is not a linear measurement of the capacity, meaning that you cannot expect each month to show a decline even if some months dropped by a couple of percentages. It does not degrade at a gradual rate over time. You may find that it will drop 2 points in the next week or not at all. Once it does get below 80%, you will want to get it replaced by Apple or Authorized Apple Service Provider.

There is nothing wrong with your iPhone, your Battery Health is relative to when your iPhone was new, so more use over time results in less battery capacity. Have you used your phone less over that time? Thats actually good that your iPhone has maintained a steady battery health over some time. For your information, Apple recommends that at below 80% battery health, you should replace the battery.

Check your iPhone battery health ⇢ Check the iPhone battery health and usage - Apple Support

All rechargeable batteries are consumable components that become less effective as they chemically age.

Recent software updates can accelerate that process by adding features that consume more power.

As lithium-ion batteries chemically age, the amount of charge they can hold diminishes, resulting in shorter amounts of time before a device needs to be recharged.

Apple won’t replace the battery until it reaches 80% capacity.

Battery Performance Tips:

• iPhone Battery and Performance.
• Check battery health and usage.
• Optimized Battery Charging.
• Maximizing Battery Life.
• Use Low Power Mode.
• About battery usage.
• Show battery percentage.

80% Battery Capacity?

Current Apple Prices:

• No charge for in-warranty or AppleCare+ plan.

Out of Warranty Prices:

• iPhone 14: $99 U.S. Dollars.

Click ▷ Check AppleCare Coverage.

Click ▶︎ iPhone Battery Replacement.

Good luck! 👋🏼😉

Hello~ My iPhone 12 mini sat at 89% for the about the same 7 month period as yours. It’s fine …once yours hits 80% or below have it changed by Apple and keep right on enjoying it or purchase a newer model if you so choose. You haven’t done anything wrong.

~Katana-San~

Apple keeps it at 81% artificially because they dont let authorized 3rd party providers replace batteries if the battery health is above 80% (like best buy). It’s an obvious racket they are pulling here.

We have the same issue. iPhone 14 Pro Max. 81% battery capacity 12/24. Now in 12/25 the same 81%. Last year they wouldn’t change out the battery under the warranty. The phone has been used endlessly for the last year and the battery life in actual usage time has gone down. It appears they’re artificially holding the battery health at 81%. We’re going into the Apple Store tomorrow and see what they’re willing to do.