In an increasingly connected world, our smartphones have become extensions of our hands. They’re more than just devices for making calls or sending texts. They are our cameras, navigation systems, social media hubs, and entertainment platforms.
But the more we rely on our phones, the more we notice that unnerving feeling of the battery dropping perilously low before the day is out. So here are all-too-common reasons why your phone battery keeps dying faster than it should, and what you can do to fix them.
Let’s dive in!
Your Screen Is Too Bright
One of the leading causes of battery drain is also one of the most obvious: your phone’s display. The brighter your screen, the more power it consumes.
If your screen brightness is turned up to the max, particularly in auto-brightness mode where it might be overshooting, it’s sapping the life out of your battery. It is draining your phone.
Solution? Dim your screen or switch to manual brightness control. Use adaptive brightness features to help as well. It adjusts your screen brightness based on the ambient light around you. It saves your phone battery power while keeping the screen viewable.
You Have Too Many Background Apps
You may think that when you close an app, it’s no longer using any battery. That’s not always true.
Many applications run in the background, updating, sending notifications, and constantly using system resources. The problem is compounded when you have a lot of these runaways active.
To remedy this, regularly check which apps are running in the background and limit their activity where possible. You should also consider uninstalling apps that you hardly use, as they might still be consuming power in the background. They can still contribute to a damaged battery.
Your Connection Settings Are Too Generous
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and mobile data connections make it easy for your phone to communicate with the outside world. They’re also pretty good at draining the battery if left on all the time.
When you’re not using them, turn them off. If that’s too inconvenient, at least make sure your Wi-Fi and Bluetooth aren’t searching for new connections constantly. This can be a significant battery drain.
Utilize airplane mode when in areas with poor signal. If possible, consider using ‘Do Not Disturb’ mode to reduce unnecessary notifications. Every little bit helps when it comes to preserving battery life.
Your Apps Need Updating
Believe it or not, outdated apps can be a drain on your battery. Developers often release updates to fix bugs and performance issues, which can include battery life improvements.
Outdated apps might not be as power-efficient as the latest versions. So keep your apps up-to-date.
If your automatic updates are turned off, remember to check the app store for these updates manually.
You Have Battery-Draining Widgets
Widgets can be incredibly handy for seeing information at a glance, but they can cost you in terms of battery life. Some widgets, particularly those that update frequently or pull in a lot of data, can be more battery-hungry than others.
Evaluate which widgets you need, and if you can live without them, remove them. Alternatively, you can try to find less power-intensive alternatives or limit their ability to update as often.
You’re Using Energy-Intensive Features
Smartphones come with a range of features that are known to hog battery life. This includes live wallpapers, animated avatars, and even things like voice assistants. They are all fun and functional, but they’re also heavy on the power use.
If your battery is running low, consider disabling these features or using them less frequently. For instance, static wallpapers are just as nice. Typing out your queries rather than voice commands can also save a lot of juice.
Poor Reception Is Zapping Power
When your phone is having trouble getting a good cellular signal, it works harder to maintain a connection, leading to faster battery depletion. This is often seen in areas with spotty network coverage.
Thankfully, this is one of the rare occasions where your best course of action is to leave your phone alone. There’s not much to be done about poor reception. Maybe you can try moving to a different location or use Wi-Fi instead of mobile data if available.
You’re Environment Is Too Hot or Too Cold
Exposure to extreme temperatures can also have a significant impact on your phone’s battery life. High temperatures can shorten the lifespan of your battery, while cold temperatures can cause it to drain faster.
To avoid this, try to keep your phone in a moderate temperature range. Avoid leaving it in direct sunlight or freezing conditions for extended periods.
If you leave it in extreme temperatures long enough, you might end up needing to go to a phone repair shop. So save yourself from the hassle of a phone repair and take care of your battery’s temperature needs.
Your Battery Might Be Reaching the End of Its Life
Batteries, like all components, have a finite lifespan. Over time, they become less effective at holding a charge.
If your phone is getting older and none of the previous tips have made a difference, it might be a sign that your battery is reaching the end of its life. Replacing your battery is a potential solution, but in many cases, it might be more cost-effective to upgrade to a new phone.
Check with your phone’s manufacturer or a reputable cell phone repair shop to explore your options. They will be able to advise you on the best course of action for your specific device and phone battery.
Your Software Is Misbehaving
While rare, it’s possible that a software bug or glitch could be causing your phone’s battery to drain too fast.
If you’ve tried all of the above solutions and are still experiencing issues with your battery life, it might be worth looking into any recent software updates. You can also try resetting your device to its factory settings and starting fresh to see if that improves battery life.
If Your Battery Keeps Dying, Don’t Panic
If your phone battery keeps dying, it can be easy to panic and assume the worst. But before you head to the store for a new phone or battery replacement, take a step back and try these tips.
By understanding the common causes of poor battery life and taking simple steps to address them, you can extend the lifespan of your phone battery. You can save yourself from unnecessary expenses.
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