We’ve all been there – you’re out and about having a great time when you realize the battery life on your mobile phone is about to run out.
Of course, adopting low battery mode or turning off data may help it last a little longer. But did you know many amazing tricks might help you avoid getting the dreaded 'low battery' notification in the first place?
Dan Melia, a mobile phone specialist from Mobile Phones Direct, has offered five techniques to help you get more out of your phone and preserve battery life for when you need it the most:
The 20/80 Rule
“Did you know that constantly charging your phone from 0% to 100% is actually terrible for your battery? This, combined with the continuous charging and draining of your phone, commonly known as charging cycles, has a substantial impact on battery life. It’s actually best to keep your device charged between 20% and 80% - especially with iPhones which use Lithium-ion batteries.
“If you have an iPhone with iOS 13 and later, you can turn on Apple’s Optimized Battery Charging feature, which can be found in Settings – Battery. With this, your phone will stop charging at 80%. Turning on this function allows your phone to learn from your everyday charging patterns, which can help extend the life of your battery."
Don’t Charge Your Phone Overnight
“While it’s not unsafe to charge your phone overnight, it can cause it to overheat, which does accelerate battery aging. The Apple Optimized Charging feature will make sure iPhones stop charging when they hit 80%, and Samsung’s Galaxy phones offer features allowing users to limit charging to 85%. So if you do want to leave your phone on charge overnight, it won’t damage your battery health. Most modern phones come equipped with built-in protections to prevent overcharging and potential hazards like fires.”
Use Reputable Charging Cables
"Using cheap, third-party cables to charge your phone is one of the most ignored methods to drain your device's battery. Always strive to choose reputable and dependable cords, such as those from your phone's manufacturer. A three-meter charger you saw online may be appealing, but it may also damage your phone battery, so avoid them!"
Don’t Overheat Your Phone
“Excessive heat can shorten your phone’s battery life too, and this can come from multiple things. We’ve already mentioned keeping your phone on charge for too long, but also using it for excessive amounts of time or leaving it in the sun has an impact. Try to limit the amount of time you spend on your phone at any one time, and definitely keep it in the shade when you’re outside in the sun.”
Invest in a Wireless Charger with a Built-In Cooling Fan
“If you wirelessly charge your phone, you should be aware that this generates more heat than wired charging, which can ruin your battery lifespan. You can battle this by purchasing a wireless charger with a built-in cooling fan, which is available from brands such as Samsung, Google, and others. Using your phone while it charges generates excessive heat and causes it to charge at a slower rate than usual to provide enough juice for continued use, so be aware of this."
Additional Tips to Prolong Battery Life
Update Your Apps and Software: Keeping your apps and operating system updated ensures that you have the latest optimizations and bug fixes, which can improve battery efficiency.
- Manage Your Apps: Close unnecessary apps running in the background and disable notifications for apps you don't use frequently.
- Adjust Screen Brightness: Lowering your screen brightness or enabling auto-brightness can significantly reduce battery consumption.
- Use Battery-Saving Modes: Most smartphones have built-in battery-saving modes that limit background activity and reduce power consumption.
- Disable Unused Connectivity Features: Turn off Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS when they're not in use to save battery life.
By implementing these strategies, you can extend your phone's battery life and ensure it’s ready when you need it the most.