Tips for Better Battery Life and What Can Affect It

Mobile phone with black screen and red low battery icon

As we use our smart devices more, we expect their batteries to last longer. Here are some tips using both iOS and Android to help you improve your device's battery life.

First, let's look at what uses the most battery. Things like GPS, games, and video playback use a lot of power because they need a lot of processing. This doesn't mean you shouldn't use them, but knowing this can help manage your expectations.

If you're not using these features and your battery is still draining quickly, check your device's battery health. Batteries wear out over time, just like tires on a car. Both iOS and Android have ways to check battery health.

On iOS, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health.

On Android, the steps can vary by model, but you can usually find them under Settings > Battery.

Here, you can see which apps have used the most energy in the last 24 hours. If an app is using too much power, check for updates in the App Store or Play Store, as updates can sometimes fix these problems.

Now that we know what uses energy and how to check battery health, let's look at some simple tips to extend your battery life.

Auto-Lock: If your home or lock screen uses a lot of battery, try setting a shorter auto-lock time. To do this on iOS, go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock.
Auto - Brightness: This feature adjusts your screen brightness based on the light around you. To enable on iOS, go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
Reception: Make sure you have a good signal or turn on airplane mode. When your phone searches for a cell tower, it uses a lot of power. If you're in a place with no signal, Airplane Mode can save battery.
Location Services: Check your location settings. For example, the weather app may not need to check your location all the time; it only needs it when you're using the app.

Using these tips, you can have better expectations for your battery life and make each charge last longer!