On this page
- The quick verdict
- Making your phone battery last at a glance
- 1. Lower Your Screen Brightness
- 2. Turn Off Features You Aren’t Using
- 3. Use Low Power Mode
- 4. Limit Background App Refresh
- 5. Reduce Push Notifications
- 6. Close Power-Hungry Apps
- 7. Keep Your Phone Cool
- 8. Avoid Charging to 100% Every Time
- 9. Remove Widgets & Live Wallpapers
- 10. Update Your Software
- Is It Time to Upgrade?
- Frequently asked questions
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.
The quick verdict
The quickest wins are lowering your screen brightness, switching on Low Power Mode or Battery Saver and turning off features like Bluetooth, GPS and hotspot when you are not using them. Limiting background refresh and notifications, keeping your phone cool and avoiding charging to 100% every time also help. If your battery still drains quickly after all this, your phone may simply be getting old.
Making your phone battery last at a glance
| Tip | What to do |
|---|---|
| Screen brightness | Lower it, use Auto-Brightness and Dark Mode |
| Unused features | Turn off Bluetooth, GPS and hotspot |
| Battery saving mode | Low Power Mode on iPhone, Battery Saver on Android |
| Background activity | Limit Background App Refresh and notifications |
| Heat | Avoid sunlight and charging under pillows |
| Charging | Use Optimised Battery Charging, avoid 100% every time |
| Software | Keep iOS or Android up to date |
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.
Frequently asked questions
What drains a phone battery the most?
The display is the biggest power-draining component on a phone. Lowering screen brightness, using Auto-Brightness and switching to Dark Mode on OLED screens can instantly add hours to your battery life.
How do I turn on Low Power Mode?
On iPhone, go to Settings, then Battery, then Low Power Mode. On Android, go to Settings, then Battery, then Battery Saver. Both modes cut background activity and visual effects to save power.
Is it bad to charge my phone to 100% every time?
Repeatedly charging a phone all the way to 100% can age the battery faster, as modern devices prefer shorter, more frequent top-ups. On iPhone, turn on Optimised Battery Charging under Battery Health & Charging.
How do I stop apps refreshing in the background?
On iPhone, go to Settings, then General, then Background App Refresh. On Android, go to Settings, then Apps, select an app, then Battery and choose Restrict.
Do widgets and live wallpapers drain the battery?
Yes. Widgets and animated backgrounds constantly refresh in the background and drain extra battery even when you are not using your phone, so switch to a static wallpaper and remove unnecessary widgets.
