One of the most common complaints among smartphone users is poor battery life. Whether you’re on a long day out or simply trying to make it through a busy workday, having your phone’s battery drain quickly can be frustrating. Fortunately, there are several proven ways to extend your smartphone’s battery life and make the most of its power. Here are six tips to help you keep your phone charged for longer.
1. Reduce Screen Brightness and Timeout
Your smartphone’s display is one of the biggest drains on its battery. Keeping your screen brightness at its maximum setting can significantly shorten your battery life, especially if you’re using your phone outdoors or for extended periods.
To conserve power, reduce your screen brightness to the lowest comfortable level. Most smartphones also have an auto-brightness feature that adjusts the screen’s brightness based on the lighting in your environment. Additionally, shorten the screen timeout—the time it takes for your phone to go to sleep when not in use. A 30-second timeout is usually sufficient and can make a noticeable difference in battery consumption.
2. Limit Background App Refresh
Many apps continue to run in the background even when you’re not actively using them, updating content, sending notifications, or checking for new data. While this can be useful for apps like email and messaging, it’s a major battery drainer.
To save battery, go to your phone’s settings and disable background app refresh for apps that don’t need to stay updated in real-time. You can also manually close apps that are running in the background to prevent unnecessary battery usage.
3. Turn Off Unnecessary Features
Smartphones come with a range of features like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and NFC (Near Field Communication) that can drain your battery even when not in use. When these features are left on, they continuously search for networks or devices to connect to, consuming valuable battery life.
Make a habit of turning off these features when you don’t need them. For instance, switch off Bluetooth when you’re not using wireless headphones, or disable GPS when you’re not using location-based apps. Many phones also offer an “Airplane Mode” that disables all wireless features with a single tap, which is especially useful when you’re in an area with poor signal reception.
4. Use Battery Saver Mode
Most smartphones come equipped with a battery saver or low power mode designed to extend battery life by limiting background processes and reducing performance. When enabled, this mode can disable non-essential functions, reduce screen brightness, and throttle CPU performance to help conserve energy.
You can activate battery saver mode manually through your phone’s settings, or set it to turn on automatically when your battery level drops below a certain percentage—typically 20% or 15%. This feature is an easy and effective way to squeeze extra hours out of your phone when the battery is running low.
5. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Your phone’s battery is sensitive to temperature changes, and extreme heat or cold can damage its performance over time. Using your smartphone in very hot or cold conditions can cause the battery to drain faster or even lead to permanent damage.
To preserve your battery’s health, try to keep your phone within the recommended temperature range—typically between 32°F and 95°F (0°C and 35°C). Avoid leaving your phone in direct sunlight or in freezing temperatures for long periods. If your phone overheats, it’s best to turn it off and let it cool down before using it again.
6. Optimize Battery-Intensive Apps
Certain apps are notorious for draining your battery quickly, especially those that rely heavily on data, GPS, or video. Streaming services, navigation apps, and social media platforms can be particularly power-hungry, as they constantly refresh content and run media in the background.
To optimize battery usage, limit how often you use battery-intensive apps or switch to low-power alternatives when possible. Many streaming apps, for example, allow you to download content for offline viewing, which uses far less battery than streaming over a mobile network. You can also use the app’s built-in battery-saving settings to minimize power consumption.