How many times have you found yourself frustrated with your phone because the battery dies at the worst possible time? Even if it’s a new device with a fresh battery, it may still be dying faster than you had hoped. A smartphone is only useful if it has battery power when you need it, so what can you do to ensure that’s the case?
When it comes to the question of how to make your battery last longer, there is a whole slew of useful tips. Not only will they help the battery last longer, but they can even extend the lifespan of your phone since you’re draining the battery less often. Let’s take a look at 11 ways to make a phone battery last longer, ensuring that it is the reliable device you need.
How Long Does a Phone Battery Last?
Before we look at tips on how to make a battery last longer, you must be realistic when it comes to expectations. In terms of how long a phone battery should last between charges, it will vary between models, but most new devices should be able to last two to five days in standby mode. It will come down to the device and its features.
Generally speaking, that answer is the same regardless of whether it’s an Android or iPhone. Popular makes here in the UK are Apple, Samsung, Motorola, Huawei, Sony, and Nokia. Each of these uses the Android platform, except for the Apple phone of course.
What Make and Model is My Phone?
Even though the battery-saving tips are typically the same for iPhone and Android, it does help to know what make and model your phone is. At the very least, it will help you find the settings and where to make recommended adjustments if you’re looking for an online user guide. Your device should display the make and model.
How to Make Your Phone Battery Last Longer
1. Use Power Saving Mode
Now it’s time for the tips, and power-saving mode is probably the most effective tip there is. Regardless of the platform you’re using (Apple or Android), or the make of the phone, the power-saving mode can do wonders for the battery life. Typically, you can find this in the settings under “battery”. It can easily be enabled or disabled so you aren’t stuck in that mode if you don’t like it.
So, what exactly is power saving mode? Essentially, it reduces how much power your phone is using. One of the most noticeable changes is the screen brightness. In power saving mode it automatically dims the screen so it’s not as bright, which will save on power in a big way. The sleep time will also be reduced, which is the amount of time the phone stays lit before falling asleep.
Another way this mode helps is that it reduces how often the phone is checking and performing certain tasks that drain the battery. This is typically tied to apps. There may be limited use available too, such as not being able to use a voice command or sync photos and videos automatically.
These will likely be minor inconveniences for you, but they will make a huge difference to the phone’s battery life. You may even wish to use this mode only when you’re out and about and not near a power outlet where you can easily recharge your device.
–2. Manually Adjust the Screen Brightness
If you’ve tried power saving mode and it’s just not for you, another option is to manually adjust the screen brightness. Nothing else has to be adjusted as this simple step will deliver results on its own. You can adjust it to meet the environmental needs. For example, in the evening hours, you can turn down the brightness. During the day, outdoors when it’s sunny, you’ll need to turn it back up.
3. Make It a Habit to Do Partial Charging
Here’s something that may come as a surprise — did you know “partial charging” is the best practice for your smartphone? It can help extend the overall lifespan of your battery, not just the time between charges. Partial charging means you don’t wait for the battery to drain completely; instead, you charge it before it goes lower than 30%.
The way the battery works is that it is under the most stress when it’s under 30% and when it hits 100%. This also means that you don’t want to necessarily charge it to 100%. Many experts agree that 30-90% is the sweet spot for optimal battery efficiency.
And speaking of charging it to 100%, you don’t want to leave it still charging once it’s hit 100%. This is a good way for the battery to heat up and start to compromise it.
4. Don’t Leave the Lockscreen On
People often purchase a phone based on its features and the always-on lock screen has been a huge hit for Android and Apple devices. While it may look cool and offer convenience, ask yourself if it’s really necessary. The problem with the always-on lock screen feature is that it’s constantly draining the battery. Enabling this feature will greatly impact how long you can go between charges.
Some devices allow you to set a timer instead, so it will turn off after a specified time – that will at least use less battery power. You may even be able to just tap the screen to have it display rather than it always being on.
5. Disable Wireless and Location Services
Another convenient feature that is a huge power drain is the wireless and location finders. This means the device is always searching for available Wi-Fi and your location. Again, ask yourself if this is truly necessary. Instead of having it set to automatically locate these services, why not turn it on and off manually only enabling it when needed? Yes, it’s a few more steps for you to do but it will make a difference in standby mode.
These same tips hold for Android devices as well.
6. Skip High-Powered Apps and Games
It’s tempting to want to fill your iPhone or Android device with the latest apps and games but remember that these will all strain your battery. Many of these are constantly running and providing alerts and notifications. Some games will also use a significant amount of battery power when playing, so much so that you can almost watch your bars decrease in terms of power.
7. Turn Off Automatic Updates for Apps
Because apps are always getting updates, it means your phone is also constantly searching and then performing available updates. Technically, this could be happening multiple times a day, draining your battery a bit more each time. A good solution is to turn off the auto-update feature and perform them manually instead.
With that said, whenever you receive a notification that there is an update available for the operating system, this should be done immediately. Not only can it address current security issues, but it tends to maximise performance which will positively affect battery life.
8. Avoid Exposing Your Phone to Extreme Temperatures
There are lots of tweaks and adjustments you can make on your phone but environmental factors can also play an important role. If you want to know how to make your battery last longer, make sure it’s never in extreme temperatures. If it is too hot or too cold, this will cause the battery to drain much faster, and over time it can even damage the battery.
Experts advise you never to leave a smartphone in direct sunlight. If you’re outdoors and there’s no shade to be found, place something over the phone to cover it such as a towel, a book, a hat, a bag, etc. Smartphones are like people and tend to like comfortable temperatures, not extreme.
9. Turn Off Bluetooth When Not in Use
Just about every device comes equipped with Bluetooth technology nowadays, but this is just one more item to drain the battery. If Bluetooth isn’t needed and you’re not near a compatible device, it’s best to turn it off. Bluetooth is typically used to sync smartwatches with your smartphone, so turning it off isn’t always going to be an option.
10. Don’t Use Vibrate Mode
Here is a tip many people overlook. How many times have you put your device in vibrate mode so you can still know when you’re getting a call or message, but everyone else won’t hear it ringing? Sure, it may sound convenient, but vibrate mode uses a lot more battery power than typical notifications. A better option is to put it in silent mode or just set the volume at its lowest level.
The key takeaway here is that if you want your phone battery to last longer you need to use a few steps and tips. A single adjustment won’t yield much in terms of results, but when you use a combination of power-saving tips, suddenly you’ll see a significant difference. And let’s also point out, it’s also wise to carry a portable power bank with you for emergencies.