I'm usually connected to Wi-Fi on my iPad Pro. However, I'd like to know, if I'm not using Wi-Fi, like if I'm on the road for example, can turning off Wi-Fi improve battery life. I'm asking this since on Apple's website, they recommend just leaving Wi-Fi on (https://www.apple.com/batteries/maximizing-performance/#iosdevicestips).
iPad Pro Wi-Fi, iOS 10.2.1, 9.7-inch, Wi-Fi, 256GB, Space Gray
Radio requires energy to transmit - that is a scientific fact. You may not be able to notice that but it is indisputably true.
If you scroll down the Apple guidance you would also see Apple clarifying this in the laptop section.
Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi consumes power, even if you are not using it to connect to a network. You can turn it off in the Wi-Fi status menu in the menu bar or in Network preferences.
You can test yourself if you have a spare device with wifi.
Run it for 12 hours & note battery percentage if you cannot wait for it to completely drain as recording the end time is difficult unless you are rigorous about waking the device equally per run, once per hour is probably enough.
Wi-Fi is a radio signal. Radio signals require energy to transmit.
Your device looks for known networks by transmitting periodically.
Energy comes from your battery. Turning Wi-Fi off will reduce battery use.
Apple suggest you use wifi INSTEAD of using cellular data all the time. That is because cellular data has further to travel and takes more energy. Turn both off if you want to save more power. The same is true of Bluetooth.
A better solution may be to get a battery or battery case if you are often low on battery.
IMHO, the battery drain is insignificant. The reason wi-fi is the default option is that there is no drain on your cell phone data bank.
I would follow the Apple guidance.
Barry
I've never noticed turning it off to make any real world noticeable difference with my iPads or iPhones. So I just leave it and BT on all the time.
Can Turning Off Wi-Fi Effect Battery Life?
