In 2020, 43% of Canadians checked their phone every 30 minutes. With 84% relying on their smartphones for personal use, it is unsurprising that battery life is a key feature for many people. If it always seems that your phone’s battery is just about to die when you need it most, there are ways you can squeeze more time out of its life.
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 of 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
Some apps, such as Google Maps, prompt you for GPS location services and will keep that setting enabled until you disable it. But many people don’t realize that the GPS location service within apps can drain your battery. So if you want your battery to last longer, turn off your GPS on an iPhone by going to Settings > Privacy > Locations Services and then select the appropriate setting to disable the function, until you can recharge your battery. These steps may vary between Android phones.
The next time your iPhone or Android’s battery begins to blink when you need it the most, don’t panic. Take a look at your phone and try to go through each of these points to help lower your power usage so that you can get the most out of that battery.
If you have persistent problems with battery drain or your battery fails altogether, bring your device to your nearest Mobile Klinik location for expert advice and fast and easy professional smartphone repair!