If your device’s battery drains quickly, try these tips from our in-house tech experts for a quick fix.

 

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Check your maximum battery capacity first

Update your software

Some tips to make your charge last longer

 

Check your maximum battery capacity first

iOS Devices

• Go to “Settings” > “Battery” > “Battery Health”.
• Check the percentage (%) next to “Maximum Battery Capacity”.
• If the capacity is 80% or above, your battery is in good health.

According to Apple, a normal battery is designed to retain up to 80% of its capacity at 500 complete charge cycles (if operated in normal conditions). At Back Market, our Quality Charter follows these recommendations.

Keep in mind that when your battery is replaced by someone outside of Apple, your phone will show a notification that reads “Unknown part” or “Warning message”. Don’t worry! This is completely normal and doesn’t affect your device’s performance.

 

Android devices

Android devices don’t have a built-in system that reports its battery health, the battery’s maximum capacity or how it has deteriorated over time. You will have to use a third-party application like AccuBattery, which is an app that allows you to learn more about the health of your battery. It features four tabs: Charging, Discharging, Health and History. To use it:

• Go to “Health”, where a detailed evaluation of your device’s battery health will show on the screen.
• Check the “Battery health percentage (%)". A normal battery is designed to retain up to 80% of its capacity at 500 complete charge cycles if it operates under normal conditions.
• This section also shows you the estimated capacity and the design capacity – each time you charge your device, the app records its estimated battery capacity.

The Health tab also displays Battery Wear. This feature shows how much damage your battery has undergone every day in a graph. AccuBattery recommends charging your battery to 80% to slow down normal wear and tear.

Keep in mind that it takes around 4 to 5 days for AccuBattery to start monitoring your battery so that you can get accurate data on the state of it. The app learns from your usage behaviour and will show more precise information as time goes on.

 

 

Update your software

iOS devices

1. Back up your device with iCloud or on your computer
2. Plug your device into a power source and make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi.
3. Go to “Settings” > “General” > “Software Update”.
4. You may see two software updates – pick the one you want to install.

Android devices

• Go to “Settings” > “System” > “System update”.
• You’ll be able to see your update status – follow the steps that appear on the screen.

 

Some tips to make your charge last longer

There are several best practices that can extend your device’s battery life and help the charge last longer. Below are even more suggestions to help improve your battery’s performance so that you get the most out of your device!

Keep it cool 

Avoid situations that can cause your device to overheat, especially when it’s fully charged. Your battery will drain much faster when it’s hot out, even if you aren’t using it.

Do not expose your phone to temperatures above 35°C (95°F) as this can permanently damage the battery. When storing your device when not in use, we recommend that you keep it in a place with temperatures between -20°C (-4°F) and 45°C (113°F).

 

Optimise your settings to save your battery

You can adjust the following settings on most devices:

• Turn off sounds or vibrations, such as the keyboard.
• Leave your apps open – reopening them uses a lot of battery.
• Reduce the usage of apps that use Bluetooth a lot.
• Delete any apps you don’t use.
• Place your device facing down while you aren’t using it – this will stop the display from lighting up when you receive a notification.
• Avoid playing games with high requirements for graphics.

Charge for what you need

Contrary to popular belief, phone batteries don’t need to be charged to 100%: Ideally, your phone should always be charged between 20% and 80%. Prioritise small charges – 20% at a time multiple times a day is best. Don’t charge to 100% unless absolutely necessary. Also, don’t allow your battery to drain to 0%, so that it turns off.

Don’t leave your device without a charge for too long, and update your apps consistently.