Our world currently revolves around screens, and we know smartphones are no longer limited to communication tools in description.
They are our bank, our office, our camera, and sometimes even our therapist. But for all it does, one thing it seldom keeps up with is staying charged throughout the day.
Smartphones are getting smarter, but battery life? Not really. Users are demanding longer life from their devices, and with good reason—work, entertainment, and emergency contact, among others, no one wants to see that red battery icon flashing before noon.
So, let’s walk you through simple, effective strategies to help your phone last longer, not just today, but over time.
Understanding why your battery dies quickly: Before you fix a problem, you need to know what’s causing it. A lot of people assume it’s just a matter of charging less or using fewer apps, but battery drain is usually a combination of unconscious habits and overlooked settings.
Let’s break it down:
1. Background Processes
Just because you swipe an app away doesn’t mean it goes to sleep, some of them stay active, poking the internet every few minutes.
News apps refresh headlines you’re not reading, messaging apps keep connections alive even when you’re not chatting, and social media never stops.
Every one of these background tasks silently takes power, your phone is constantly busy draining battery.
2. Display Settings
Your screen is a power guzzler. Full brightness might make things look nice, but it’s punishing your battery. Leave it on too long or keep the screen awake unnecessarily, and it becomes a slow leak you’ll barely notice, until you hit 15% at 2 p.m.
If you’re using an OLED screen, every pixel lights up individually. That means even your wallpaper can affect power consumption. The wrong settings here? Drainage by a thousand taps.
3. Connectivity
Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, mobile data, they’re all essential at times. But left unchecked, they’re constantly searching for signals, even when there’s nothing to connect to. Ever been in a low-signal area and noticed your battery dropping like a rock? That’s your phone working overtime just to stay online. You don’t need to be connected to everything, everywhere, all the time.
4. Power-Hungry Apps
Some apps eat batteries like they’re starving. Games with high graphics, video streaming platforms, TikTok, Instagram, anything that keeps your screen on and data flowing.
Add in notifications, autoplay videos, background syncing, and it’s no wonder your battery doesn’t last. I’ve seen people check WhatsApp every 3 minutes, then wonder why their phone dies before lunch.
5. Charging Habits
Most people don’t realise this, charging to 100% every time or letting your phone hit 0% regularly? That stresses the battery. Lithium-ion cells, which most phones use, degrade faster when constantly pushed to extremes.
Keeping your battery between 20% and 80% is ideal. But I get it, most of us plug in overnight, leave it charging for hours, and repeat the cycle daily. Over time, it adds up, and your battery life shrinks.
The good news? You can fix most of this with a few tweaks.
Adjust Settings for Optimal Power Use
Let’s start with the basics. Every smartphone has built-in settings to help you control how much power you use.
Display Settings
Start here. Reduce screen brightness manually, or better still, turn on auto-brightness so your phone adjusts to your surroundings. Set your screen timeout to 30 seconds or less. If your phone supports dark mode, use it. On OLED displays, this actually saves power by turning off pixels in black areas.
Battery Saver Mode
Most modern phones have a battery saver or low-power mode. Turn this on when your battery drops below 30%, or even earlier if you expect to be out for long. It limits background activity, reduces performance slightly, and pauses automatic syncing.
Disable Unused Features
When not needed, switch off:
- Bluetooth if you’re not using wireless headphones.
- GPS unless you’re actively using maps or location-based services.
- Wi-Fi and mobile data when not browsing.
Also, if you’re in a poor signal area, your phone uses extra power trying to connect. In those cases, enable airplane mode to avoid constant signal hunting.
Manage Apps That Drain Battery
Limit Background Activity
Head to your battery usage stats (usually under Settings > Battery). You’ll find a list of apps and how much power they’re using. If an app is near the top but you barely use it, restrict its background activity.
On Android, you can force stop or optimise the app. On iOS, check app refresh settings and turn them off for less important apps.
Uninstall or Replace Problematic Apps
Some apps are just inefficient. Facebook and Snapchat, for example, are known battery drainers. If you can’t delete them, consider their Lite versions or use a web browser instead. Even your camera and gallery apps might be syncing too often, check those too.
Optimise Charging Habits
Avoid Full Drains and Constant Full Charges
Contrary to popular belief, draining your phone to zero isn’t good for it. Neither is charging it all the way to 100% every time. The ideal range is between 20% and 80%.
If your phone is regularly at extremes, its battery life will degrade faster.
Use Quality Chargers
Don’t take a chance on off-brand or cheap chargers. They can overheat or damage your phone’s charging system. Always use the original charger or certified replacements. Fast charging is useful, but it generates heat, so don’t use it every time if you don’t have to.
Keep It Cool
Heat is the enemy of battery health. Charging while gaming, using the phone in the sun, or charging under a pillow traps heat and weakens your battery. Let your phone breathe.
Use Built-In Tools and Third-Party Apps
Most phones now come with battery health and usage tools. Learn to use them. On iPhones, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. For Android, check Adaptive Battery settings.
Apps like AccuBattery (Android) or Battery Life Doctor (iOS) help monitor battery health, estimate wear over time, and guide charging habits. They’re useful if you’re serious about keeping your phone in good shape.
Consider Hardware Solutions
Sometimes, you just need more juice. A power bank is a must-have if you’re out for long hours. Choose one with a reliable brand and at least 10,000mAh capacity.
Battery cases add bulk, but they double your uptime. If you’re constantly running out of battery, you may want to consider a new phone with a larger battery or better power efficiency.
What’s Next: The Sustainability of Smartphone Batteries
Battery technology is evolving, but not fast enough. Manufacturers are improving software optimisation, like AI-based charging in new devices, and experimenting with new materials like graphene to replace lithium-ion in the future.
Until then, the best way to stretch your battery life is to form good habits.
Let’s keep it simple. If your phone’s dying too quickly:
- Turn down the brightness.
- Use battery saver mode.
- Stop apps from running in the background.
- Don’t drain it to zero or leave it charging overnight.
- Watch your connectivity settings.
None of these tips require you to be a tech expert. They just need you to pay a little attention. Try them for a week. You’ll notice the difference, not just in how long your battery lasts, but in how well your phone performs overall.
Quick Battery Health Checklist
- Reduce screen brightness or enable auto-brightness
- Set screen timeout to 30 seconds or less
- Enable battery saver mode before 30%
- Turn off Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS when not in use
- Restrict or uninstall high-drain apps
- Avoid full discharges and 100% charges
- Use trusted chargers and avoid heat during charging
