Does your phone seem to need charging by lunchtime, even if you’ve kept it plugged in all night? You’re not alone. Various hidden settings and apps you might forget about can drain your battery faster than you’d think. Luckily, there are some simple changes you can make to help your device last all day without losing performance or convenience.
1) Turn off background app updates
Limit apps from using power when you aren’t using them. Many apps continue running in the background, refreshing and sending notifications, which can surprisingly affect battery life.
For iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Select General.
- Tap on Background App Refresh.
- Choose Background App Refresh again.
- Select Off or choose Wi-Fi to reduce data usage.
- You can turn off updates for specific apps if you need some to stay updated.
For Android
Settings may differ based on your device.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Battery (or related options).
- Select Background Usage Restrictions or Battery Optimization.
- Pick an app you don’t use much and choose to restrict its background activity.
- Enable Adaptive Battery to let Android manage usage automatically.
Pro tip: Keep important apps like messaging and navigation active to ensure they function properly while limiting others.
2) Disable always-on display
A constantly lit screen showing the time or notifications can really sap your battery. Over time, this adds up, especially overnight.
For iPhone (14 Pro or newer)
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Display & Brightness.
- Look for Always On and toggle it Off.
For Android
Settings may vary.
- Open Settings.
- Choose Lock Screen options.
- Find Always On Display and turn it off or set it to a less battery-intensive mode.
Disabling always-on display can boost your standby battery life by 10-15%.
3) Restrict location access
GPS can be a significant battery drain. Apps that track your location might keep running even when you aren’t actively using them. Adjusting permissions can help maximize battery efficiency.
For iPhone
- Go to Settings.
- Select Privacy & Security.
- Tap Location Services.
- Adjust each app’s settings to While Using the App or Never.
- Check System Services at the bottom, and turn off Important Places.
For Android
Settings can differ.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Location.
- Adjust App Permissions accordingly.
- For each app, pick settings that restrict tracking to when in use or deny it altogether.
Having location access restricted can help protect your privacy and extend battery life.
4) Turn off “Raise to Wake” and “Tap to Wake”
A phone that lights up just by picking it up can also waste battery power. Each activation, even brief, uses energy. Disabling these features can reduce unnecessary screen activations.
For iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Tap Display & Brightness.
- Toggle off Raise to Wake.
For Android
Settings will vary.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Screen settings.
- Look for motion activation settings and turn them off.
5) Monitor battery usage
If your phone drains quickly, use the battery usage feature to identify the culprits. Check which apps are hogging battery life, both actively and in the background.
For iPhone
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Battery.
- Review your battery usage data.
- Look for any apps with unexpectedly high usage.
- If any app persists in consuming too much power in the background, consider limiting or uninstalling it.
For Android
Settings will vary.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Battery.
- Check the Battery Usage section and review your apps.
- For apps that use a lot of power, explore options to limit their background activity.
Streaming services and social media apps often drain batteries quickly, so reviewing your usage regularly can help keep things in check.
Bonus: Check battery health
If your phone still struggles with battery life after making some adjustments, the battery itself might be wearing out. Both iPhones and Androids have built-in diagnostics to check battery health.
For iPhone
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Battery.
- Select Battery Health & Charging.
- Check the maximum capacity. If it’s significantly below 80%, it may be time for a replacement.
For Android
Settings will vary.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Battery.
- Look for battery health indicators.
- If the information is limited, try accessing a hidden test menu by dialing *#*#4636#*#*.
- If the battery condition is reported as poor, you may want to consider replacing it.
Upgrading an old battery can lead to a significant gain in performance compared to software tweaks.
Key takeaways
With just a few tweaks, your phone can last throughout the day. Limiting background activity, managing settings, and checking battery health can bring noticeable improvements. You’ll spend less time worrying about low battery and more time enjoying your device. Being proactive is key to maintaining battery life when it matters most.
If you have tips or challenges related to technology you’d like assistance with, don’t hesitate to reach out.
