How to Make Your Phone Battery Last Longer
If you're constantly watching your phone dip into the red, you’re not alone. With heavy apps, brighter screens and always-on connections, even the best batteries can struggle to make it through the day. The good news? A few small changes can significantly extend your battery life — without slowing you down.
Here are the most effective ways to make your phone battery last longer, whether you use iPhone or Android.
If your battery is draining faster than ever, you may want to read our full guide on iPhone battery lifespan.
1. Lower Your Screen Brightness
Your display is the biggest power-draining component on your device. Reducing brightness can instantly add hours to your day.
- Use Auto-Brightness to adjust automatically
- Switch to Dark Mode on OLED screens for extra savings
2. Turn Off Features You Aren’t Using
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and mobile hotspot all consume power even when idle. If you’re not using a feature, turn it off until you need it again.
- Bluetooth and Wi-Fi scanning
- Background GPS navigation
- Personal hotspot
3. Use Low Power Mode
Both iPhone and Android offer built-in battery saving modes that cut background activity and visual effects.
- iPhone: Settings → Battery → Low Power Mode
- Android: Settings → Battery → Battery Saver
For more detail, read our Low Power Mode guide.
4. Limit Background App Refresh
Many apps refresh in the background automatically — even ones you rarely use. Turning this off can noticeably improve battery life.
- iPhone: Settings → General → Background App Refresh
- Android: Settings → Apps → select an app → Battery → Restrict
5. Reduce Push Notifications
Every notification wakes your screen and processor. Disable alerts from apps you don’t need constant updates from.
- Turn off notifications for social apps you rarely use
- Use Do Not Disturb or Focus Mode during work hours
6. Close Power-Hungry Apps
Some apps consume more battery than others — particularly streaming, video editing and navigation apps. Check your battery usage:
- iPhone: Settings → Battery
- Android: Settings → Battery Usage
If an app is draining too much, close it or uninstall it if you don’t need it.
7. Keep Your Phone Cool
Overheating is a major cause of rapid battery drain. Avoid:
- Leaving your phone in direct sunlight
- Charging under pillows or blankets
- Using your phone heavily while charging
8. Avoid Charging to 100% Every Time
It sounds strange, but charging your phone all the way to 100% repeatedly can age the battery faster. Modern devices prefer shorter, more frequent top-ups.
On iPhone, enable:
Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging → Optimised Battery Charging
9. Remove Widgets & Live Wallpapers
Widgets and animated backgrounds constantly refresh in the background, draining extra battery even when you're not using your phone.
Switch to a static wallpaper and remove any unnecessary widgets.
10. Update Your Software
iOS and Android updates often include battery performance improvements. Staying up to date ensures you get the best efficiency your phone can offer.
Is It Time to Upgrade?
If your battery drains quickly even after trying all these tips, your phone might simply be getting old. Batteries degrade naturally over time.
Explore our full range of fully tested refurbished devices here: Shop refurbished smartphones
For more practical advice, check out our Battery Life Extension Guide.
