7 Simple Ways to Make Your Phone Battery Last Longer

Few things are more frustrating... ew things are more frustrating than a phone that dies when you need it most. Whether you're waiting for a transfer alert, using maps, or chatting with friends, a weak battery can ruin your day. The good news is that most battery problems can be fixed with simple settings. Here are seven ways to make your battery last longer.

1. Lower your screen brightness

The screen uses more power than almost anything else on your phone. Turn on auto-brightness, or lower it manually when you're indoors. Even a small reduction makes a noticeable difference by the end of the day.

2. Shorten your screen timeout

If your screen stays lit for a minute after you put the phone down, that is wasted power. Set the timeout to 15 or 30 seconds so the screen turns off quickly when you're not using it.

3. Close apps that run in the background

Many apps keep working even when you aren't using them, refreshing feeds and checking for updates. Go to your settings, open the battery section, and look at which apps use the most power. Restrict background activity for the ones you rarely open.

4. Switch on battery saver mode

Almost every phone has a battery saver or power saving mode. It reduces background activity and limits some features to stretch the charge. Turn it on early in the day if you know you'll be away from a charger.

5. Turn off what you aren't using

Bluetooth, GPS and Wi-Fi all use power when they are switched on, even if you aren't connected to anything. Switch them off when you don't need them, and only turn on location for apps that really need it, like maps.

6. Avoid extreme heat and cold

Batteries hate heat. Leaving your phone in direct sun, in a hot car, or under your pillow while charging can damage it permanently. Keep it in a cool, shaded place and take off thick cases when charging if the phone feels hot.

7. Charge the smart way

Using cheap or damaged chargers can harm your battery over time. Use the original charger or a good quality one. Also try not to let the battery drop to 0% often, since keeping it between about 20% and 80% is gentler on it. You don't need to be strict about this, but avoid constantly draining it fully.

Bonus tip: Use dark mode

If your phone has an OLED or AMOLED screen, dark mode can save power because black pixels use very little energy. It also feels easier on the eyes at night.

Final thoughts

You don't need a new phone to get better battery life. A few small changes can add hours of use each day. Start with brightness and background apps, since they usually give the biggest improvement, then try the other tips one at a time.