Running out of battery halfway through the day can be frustrating, especially if you rely heavily on your smartphone. Whether you’re working, travelling, or enjoying a long day out, there are strategies you can use to ensure your phone lasts until you’re back near a charger.
Here are practical tips to maximise your phone’s battery life and keep it powered all day.
1. Enable Power-Saving Mode
Most smartphones come with built-in power-saving features designed to extend battery life by reducing background activity and performance.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver to activate it.
- On iPhone: Enable Low Power Mode in Settings > Battery, or turn it on directly from Control Center.
2. Lower Screen Brightness
Your phone’s display is one of the largest battery drains. Reduce brightness to save power.
- Use auto-brightness to let your phone adjust to ambient light conditions.
- Lower brightness manually when indoors or in dim environments.
3. Turn Off Unnecessary Features
Features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GPS can drain your battery when not in use.
- Turn off Bluetooth and Wi-Fi when you’re not actively connected to a device or network.
- Disable Location Services unless you’re using navigation or location-based apps.
- Use Airplane Mode in areas with poor signal, as your phone uses extra power searching for a connection.
4. Close Background Apps
Apps running in the background can consume power, even when you’re not using them.
- On Android: Go to Settings > Apps and stop apps you don’t need.
- On iPhone: Double-tap the Home button (or swipe up on newer models) and swipe away unused apps.
5. Reduce Push Notifications
Frequent notifications wake up your screen and consume battery.
- Turn off notifications for non-essential apps under Settings > Notifications.
- Use Do Not Disturb mode to block notifications while still allowing calls and texts.
6. Use Dark Mode
If your phone has an OLED or AMOLED screen, Dark Mode can significantly reduce battery consumption.
- Enable Dark Mode system-wide on Android or iPhone in display settings.
- Use apps that support Dark Mode, like Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube.
7. Shorten Screen Timeout
Your phone’s screen timeout determines how long it stays on after inactivity.
- Set the screen timeout to 30 seconds or 1 minute in your display settings to minimise idle screen usage.
8. Avoid High-Performance Activities
Resource-intensive activities like gaming, streaming HD videos, or video editing can quickly drain your battery.
- Reduce video quality on streaming apps like Netflix or YouTube.
- Limit gaming sessions or switch to less graphically demanding games.
9. Use Battery-Saving Apps
Certain apps can help you optimise your phone’s battery life by identifying and limiting energy-draining processes.
- Android: Try apps like Greenify or AccuBattery.
- iPhone: Use the built-in battery settings to monitor app usage and optimise settings.
10. Charge Smartly During the Day
If you have short breaks, take advantage of quick top-ups:
- Carry a compact power bank for on-the-go charging.
- Use a fast charger if your phone supports it to quickly gain several hours of power.
- Consider a portable charging case for an extra boost without needing a cable.
11. Turn Off Vibrations and Haptics
Vibration notifications and haptic feedback (e.g., keyboard vibrations) can consume unnecessary power.
- Disable vibrations for calls and notifications in your sound settings.
- Turn off keyboard haptics under input settings.
12. Manage Data Usage
Mobile data and background syncing can consume battery rapidly.
- Use Wi-Fi whenever possible, as it’s less battery-intensive than mobile data.
- Restrict background data for apps in Settings > Mobile Data.
13. Use Battery-Optimised Settings
Modern phones offer advanced battery settings to help you save power:
- On Android: Enable Adaptive Battery to limit power usage for rarely used apps.
- On iPhone: Enable Optimised Battery Charging to preserve battery health over time.
14. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
Batteries perform best in moderate temperatures. Extreme heat or cold can reduce battery life.
- Keep your phone away from direct sunlight or freezing conditions.
- Avoid charging your phone while it’s hot, as this generates additional heat.
15. Plan Ahead for Long Days
When you know you’ll be away from a charger for an extended period:
- Fully charge your phone before leaving home.
- Download offline maps, videos, or music to reduce data usage and power consumption.
Final Thoughts
With a few smart adjustments and habits, you can easily make your smartphone’s battery last all day. From enabling power-saving modes to carrying a portable charger, these tips will keep you connected without the stress of a dying battery.
Experiment with these strategies and find what works best for your lifestyle—you’ll be surprised at how much extra time you can get from your phone!