Let me start by confessing that as an Xfinity Deals subscriber, connectivity is a necessity I can’t do without. With a number of service providers operating in the US with quality service, the days I’m without internet are rare. However, just because I have a reliable internet service does not mean my problems are over. In fact, the biggest obstacle to connectivity in my life is my smartphone’s battery life. It’s annoying when your phone battery can’t get you through the day. And it is even more annoying when your battery is draining when you need it the most. This blog looks at seven tips to extend your battery life without resorting to drastic measures like a new phone.
- Reduce Screen Brightness
One of the biggest contributors to low battery life in smartphones is the display. Whenever your phone’s screen is on, you’re losing power. One good way to work around this is to reduce the screen brightness from your phone’s quick settings menu. This will reduce the amount of power being used in your phone’s display. However, most phones automatically adjust screen brightness according to the surrounding light so you may have to do this repeatedly. Regardless, its worth it if you can squeeze out even a few extra minutes worth of battery life.
- Better Charging Habits
One of the best steps you can take to extend your phone’s battery life is to adopt better charging habits. This involves taking some precautions while charging your phone. For instance, only use fast charging if in a hurry. Fast charging tops up your battery faster but it also causes it to lose the amount of charge it retains. Essentially, fast charging degrades your battery life. It is advisable to use a regular charger under normal conditions. Another good practice to follow is to avoid charging overnight. Your phone battery only needs a few hours to charge. Charging the rest of the night will only hurt the battery’s long-term usability.
- Delete the Facebook App
The Facebook app is one of the most notorious battery drainer’s today. However, there is an easy workaround to this without going off Facebook entirely. You can delete the app and instead access the site through your phone’s browser. The experience is almost identical, even allowing you to receive notifications. You can bookmark Facebook and add a home screen shortcut for quick access, replacing the battery-eating app.
- Turn off AI assistant
Using Siri or OK Google is both a novelty and a convenience. However, AI assistants are constantly listening for their voice commands like ‘Hey Siri’ or ‘OK Google’, draining your battery constantly. A good way to save battery is to turn off your AI assistant in your phone’s settings. Once voice detection is turned off, you will notice a marked difference in your battery life,
- Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Leaving your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on when you’re not connected and out and about can be a huge drain on your battery. When not connected, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are constantly searching for devices to connect you, using up precious battery. As a precaution, you should turn off your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when on-the-go and not connected to any device. Your phone’s battery will thank you.
- Switch Automatic Updates Off
Automatic updates have been around for so long it’s almost impossible to remember a time without them. In the early days, you had to manually update each app as an improvement rolled out. If you’re serious about extending battery life, going back to that time is the solution you need. By turning off automatic updates, you reduce the amount of background activity going on in your phone. This means less power is wasted on actions that are non-essential, stretching out your battery life. On an iPhone, you can do this by going to Settings > iTunes & App Store and toggle off Updates in Automatic Downloads. Conversely, on an Android phone, you can simply go to Google Play Store and go to Settings > General > Auto-update apps. Turn this off and you’re good to go.
- Turn off Visual Effects
Visual effects like widgets and live wallpapers are great for personalizing your phone and enhancing your user experience. However, they are also very culpable in draining your phone’s battery life. To get through the day without running out of battery, try to use a simple, still, image as your phone’s wallpaper. Also, disable widgets that update automatically. The result is a reduced usage of your battery that would otherwise be consumed by these visual effects.
These seven quick tips are aimed at ensuring you get the best out of your phone’s battery life. One of the reasons my battery never lasted long was my preference for phone streaming over my Spectrum Cable Services. A simple change in your phone habits can translate into a much needed boost to your phone’s battery life. By following the seven tips above, you can enjoy your current phone battery without resorting to a new battery/phone.
