As of this year, more than 33 million Canadians use smartphones, spending an average of 3.8 hours per day on these devices. With so much daily usage, it’s no surprise that battery life has become a key concern for many. If your phone’s battery often runs low at critical moments, there are ways to extend its life and keep you connected when it matters most.
Here are some tips to help maximize your smartphone’s battery life.
Enable Low Power Mode
Most phones have lower power mode capabilities. Low power mode (or battery saver mode) automatically changes settings to conserve battery life, such as reducing screen brightness, disabling email fetching and reducing the idle display time. On Apple devices, for example, head to Settings, select Battery and toggle on Low Power Mode (Battery Saver Mode on Android). You will also get an alert to activate this mode when your battery falls to 20% charge on Apple, and you can tweak the alert threshold on Android devices.
Close Applications
Apps are power-hungry and demand a lot of energy from the central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU). To conserve battery life, shut off any apps that are not in use. Under Settings, tap Battery, where you can see detailed battery usage for each app, including foreground and background usage. If an app is placing a large toll on your battery life, shut it down until you have time to charge. Pay attention to any app that is causing a large drain on your battery, even if you rarely use it.
Turn Off the WiFi
Having Wi-Fi enabled can also drain your battery. When you’re down to the wire and you need to make that battery last as long as possible, it might be worth turning off your Wi-Fi for that extra boost.
Disable Bluetooth
If you have Bluetooth enabled, this can also be a huge culprit of unnecessary power usage. Disable Bluetooth until you can charge your device.
Turn Off Your GPS Tracker
GPS services consume a lot of energy, especially when used by multiple apps simultaneously.
- On iPhone, navigate to Settings > Privacy > Location Services to disable or adjust GPS permissions.
- On Android, go to Settings > Location to turn off GPS or customize location settings for specific apps.
Disabling GPS for non-essential apps until you need it can give your battery an extra boost.
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Optimize Screen Brightness and Display Settings
Your smartphone’s display is one of the most power-hungry components, often responsible for a significant portion of battery drain. Reducing the brightness of your screen is one of the quickest and easiest ways to conserve battery life.
Most phones come equipped with an automatic brightness adjustment capability that uses ambient light sensors to dim or brighten your screen based on your surroundings. This is a useful feature that can save battery by lowering screen brightness in dim environments. However, for even better control, consider manually adjusting the brightness to a lower setting, especially in low-light situations.
Go Dark Mode
If your smartphone has an OLED or AMOLED display, switching to dark mode can save a lot of energy. These types of screens turn off pixels in black areas of the display, which uses less power compared to showing bright colors. On both iPhone and Android devices, you can enable dark mode in the display settings or through individual app settings where available.
By optimizing these settings, you can significantly reduce the strain on your phone’s battery, helping it last longer throughout the day.
Manage Background Processes
Many apps continue running in the background even when you aren’t using them, quietly draining your battery life. By limiting background activity, you can extend the time between charges.
One of the most effective ways to manage background processes is by limiting Background App Refresh. On iPhones, head to Settings > General > Background App Refresh, where you can control which apps refresh in the background. Android users can manage this under Settings > Apps > Data Usage for individual apps. Restricting apps that don’t need constant updates, such as social media or news apps, can free up valuable battery power.
Additionally, push notifications can also drain your battery by triggering the screen and other processes. Review the notifications settings for each app and disable those that aren’t essential.
Lastly, ensure that your phone’s battery optimization settings are enabled. Most smartphones have built-in features that reduce the background activity of apps that you don’t use often, helping to conserve power.
Update Your Software
Keeping your smartphone’s software up to date is crucial for maintaining battery health. Manufacturers frequently release updates that improve battery performance, fix bugs, and introduce optimizations designed to reduce power consumption.
Regular operating system updates often include battery-saving enhancements. Both Android and iOS regularly push updates to improve battery life, so it’s essential to stay current. Delaying updates could leave your phone vulnerable to battery inefficiencies, as newer apps may not run as smoothly on outdated software.
In addition to OS updates, make sure to keep your apps up to date as well. App updates often address performance issues, including battery optimization. Developers frequently release patches that reduce power consumption and improve the efficiency of their apps, ensuring that they don’t overuse system resources.
Disable Unnecessary Notifications
Each time your phone receives a notification, it consumes power to activate the screen and alert you. Over time, these constant interruptions can drain your battery, especially if you receive a high volume of notifications throughout the day.
To conserve battery life, start by disabling non-essential notifications. Go to Settings and review which apps are allowed to send notifications. Social media, shopping, and email apps often send frequent, non-urgent alerts. Disable these notifications to save power and reduce distractions.
For even more control, consider using Focus Mode or Do Not Disturb. These features are available on both iOS and Android and allow you to limit interruptions during specific times, like when you’re working or sleeping. This not only saves battery but also helps you stay focused.
Utilize Battery Health Tools
Both iPhone and Android devices come with built-in tools that allow you to monitor your battery’s health and performance. Using these tools, you can identify issues like battery degradation and pinpoint apps or settings that are draining power.
On iPhones, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health to see the current health of your battery, including its maximum capacity. If your battery’s capacity is significantly reduced, it might be time for a replacement. Android phones offer similar features under Settings > Battery > Battery Usage, where you can see which apps are consuming the most power and get personalized recommendations to improve battery life.
These tools also provide battery-saving tips based on your usage patterns. Recommendations may include reducing screen brightness, closing background apps, or enabling power-saving modes.
Adjust Connectivity Settings
Many background processes that consume your phone’s battery are tied to connectivity settings like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and mobile data. Fine-tuning these settings can significantly improve your battery’s longevity.
One of the easiest ways to conserve power is to enable Airplane Mode when you don’t need to be connected to cellular networks or Wi-Fi. Airplane Mode disables all wireless signals, which can be particularly useful if you’re in an area with poor reception.
Additionally, disabling mobile data in low-signal areas can prevent your phone from working overtime to search for a connection. This can save a significant amount of battery life, especially if you’re traveling through remote locations.
Get the Most Out of Battery-Saving Features
In addition to the built-in battery-saving modes on your smartphone, tools are available to help you optimize background processes and manage power consumption effectively.
- Many smartphones include advanced battery management features that automatically limit power-draining activities in apps running in the background.
- System monitoring tools, accessible through your device’s settings, can provide insights into which apps or features are consuming the most power and offer suggestions for improvement.
- Some built-in features even allow you to hibernate less frequently used apps or restrict their background activity, helping to conserve energy over time.
By using the resources already available on your device, you can extend battery life while maintaining optimal performance.
When to Replace Your Battery
If you’ve tried all the above tips and your phone’s battery life is still underperforming, it might be time to replace the battery. Over time, smartphone batteries degrade, losing their ability to hold a full charge and resulting in faster drain times.
Some signs that your battery needs replacing include rapid battery drain, even after a full charge, or your phone becoming excessively hot during normal use. If you’re experiencing these symptoms, it’s likely that your battery’s health has significantly deteriorated.
If you’re unsure about your battery’s health, you can check it with Mobile Klinik’s free Device Checkup app. Available for both Android and iPhone, this app diagnoses problems, generates detailed reports, and offers step-by-step optimization tips.
When it comes to replacing your battery, visiting a certified repair shop, like Mobile Klinik, is the best option. Our expert technicians can quickly and professionally replace your battery, ensuring that your phone runs as efficiently as possible.
Wrapping Up: Power Up for Longer
By following these tips, you can maximize your smartphone’s battery life and ensure it lasts throughout the day when you need it most. From adjusting screen brightness and managing background processes to keeping your software up-to-date, there are many small changes you can make that have a big impact on battery longevity.
For more serious battery issues or professional maintenance, don’t hesitate to connect with us at Mobile Klinik. Our team of experts is here to help you keep your device running smoothly and extend its lifespan with top-tier repairs and replacements.
Ready to boost your battery life? Visit Mobile Klinik today for expert battery replacements and device optimization services!