If your phone's battery seems to run out of juice faster than it should, try these solutions from our in-house tech experts for a quick fix.
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Tips for prolonging battery life
Check your battery health
Note that not all Android devices display this information, so this section of the article is for iOS users only.
iOS devices only
- Go to "Settings" > "Battery" > "Battery Health".
- See the percentage next to “Maximum Battery Capacity”.
- If the capacity is 80% or above, your battery is in good health and performing normally.
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 panic — this is completely normal and does not affect your device’s performance. Apple programs these messages to appear automatically when their own proprietary parts are not used during repair. Learn more about these messages
Update your Software
iOS devices
- Back up your device with iCloud or on your computer
- Plug your device into a power source and make sure you’re connected to Wi-Fi.
- Go to "Settings" > "General" > "Software Update".
- 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.
Tips for prolonging battery life
Take care of your battery
Keep it cool
Stay away from situations that can cause your device to overheat. This is particularly important when it’s fully charged. Also, your battery will run out a lot faster when it’s hot outside — even if you aren’t using it.
Optimize your settings to save your battery
You can adjust the following settings on most smartphones:
- Change your auto-lock settings so that your screen turns off sooner when you aren’t using it.
- Dim the screen.
- Set the brightness to automatically change in different lighting.
- Turn off all sounds or vibrations, including your keyboard.
- Leave your most-used apps open at all times.
- Reduce the usage of apps that consume a lot of battery.
- Turn on Low Power Mode or Power-saving Mode.
- Delete any apps you no longer use.
Charge for what you need
Contrary to popular belief, phone batteries don’t need to be charged to 100%.
- Don’t charge your phone to 100%, unless absolutely necessary.
- Don’t allow your battery to get to 0% and turn off.
- Don’t leave your device without a charge for too long.
- Ideally, your phone should always be charged between 20%-80%.
- Prioritize small charges — 20% at a time multiple times a day is best.
General tips for a healthy battery
- Consistently update your apps.
- Keep your software updated to the latest version at all times.