10 Settings to Improve Android Battery Life
As we all know, managing battery life on Android devices can be a challenge, especially with the growing demand for powerful apps and services. Battery life getting you down? Try adjusting these settings to stop your phone from begging for a recharge quite so often. Here, we’ll walk through 10 essential Android settings that will help you conserve battery, ensuring your device lasts longer throughout the day.
1. Enable Battery Saver Mode
Android’s Battery Saver Mode is an excellent tool for squeezing extra time out of your battery. When this mode is on, Android automatically limits background activity, reduces brightness, and applies other adjustments to extend battery life.
To enable Battery Saver:
Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver
Toggle on Battery Saver or schedule it to turn on automatically at a certain battery level.
2. Turn Off Battery Optimization for Specific Apps
While Battery Saver Mode is great for the device overall, sometimes it’s beneficial to optimize only specific apps. If you notice certain apps consuming a lot of battery, Android allows you to turn off battery optimization selectively, helping to limit power-intensive apps from running in the background.
To manage battery optimization:
Open Settings > Battery > Battery Optimization
Choose the apps you want to restrict and switch them off from automatic optimization.
3. Adjust Display Settings to Save Power
The display is one of the biggest power drains on any device. To coax more life from your phone’s battery, try these low-hanging fruits: reduces the screen glare, chop down the screen timeout, and swap to dark mode. You might be surprised at the difference.
Ready to tweak these settings?
Reduce Brightness: Lower your screen brightness manually through Settings > Display > Brightness or by using the brightness slider in the notification shade.
Enable Dark Mode: If your device has an AMOLED or OLED screen, using Dark Mode can save battery by reducing the power needed for screen lighting. Toggle Dark Mode in Settings > Display > Dark Mode.
Screen Timeout: Set your screen timeout to a shorter duration under Settings > Display > Screen Timeout to prevent the screen from staying on longer than necessary.
4. Disable Auto-Sync for Apps
Auto-sync allows apps to regularly update data in the background, but it consumes a significant amount of battery. Disabling this feature for less critical apps can improve battery life substantially.
To turn off Auto-Sync:
Go to Settings > Accounts
For each account, you can disable auto-sync or set sync intervals manually.
5. Manage Location Services
Location services use GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular networks to track your device, which can quickly drain your battery. Managing when and how location services are used will prevent unnecessary power consumption.
To manage location settings:
Go to Settings > Location and turn it off for apps that don’t need constant location access.
Choose “Battery Saving” mode under Settings > Location > Mode, which uses less power compared to High Accuracy mode.
6. Close Background Apps Using Battery Manager
Android’s Battery Manager feature helps close apps that are draining power in the background. This can prevent unnecessary battery loss due to idle or rarely used apps.
Steps to manage Battery Manager:
Navigate to Settings > Battery > Battery Manager
Check the list of apps using battery and close or restrict those you don’t need running constantly.
7. Use Adaptive Battery
Starting with Android 9, Google introduced Adaptive Battery, a feature that limits battery usage for less frequently used apps. This system gets to know your app habits, prioritizing power for the ones you use most and pruning back on the rest.
To activate Adaptive Battery:
Go to Settings > Battery > Adaptive Battery
Turn on Adaptive Battery to extend battery life through AI-based adjustments.
8. Reduce Unnecessary Notifications
Notifications may seem harmless, but every time your screen lights up for one, it consumes a small amount of battery. If you receive many notifications daily, this can add up. Slash notification overload and you’ll buy yourself some extra battery life.
How to manage notifications:
Go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Notifications
Turn off or limit notifications for less important apps to prevent unnecessary wake-ups.
9. Check and Calibrate Battery Health
Sometimes, recalibrating the battery can improve its performance and longevity. Although not an everyday solution, battery calibration can be helpful when your battery percentage readings seem inaccurate.
To calibrate your Android battery:
Charge your phone to 100%.
Use your device until it completely drains to 0%.
Charge it back to 100% without interruption.
A freshly calibrated battery is like a reliable friend - it’ll keep you powered up with precise energy levels and potentially supercharge your device’s overall efficiency.
10. Monitor Battery Usage and Replace if Necessary
It’s essential to regularly check your battery usage statistics and identify apps or features that are using excessive power. If your battery is old, replacing it may be the only solution to restore optimal performance.
To view battery stats:
Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Usage
Here, you can see which apps consume the most power and take action as necessary.
Additional Tips for Prolonging Battery Life
Turn Off Unused Connectivity Features
Leaving Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC on when not in use can consume battery needlessly. Toggle these features off through the Quick Settings menu or in Settings.
Use the Best Battery-Friendly Apps
Certain apps are optimized for low battery usage. Sift through your daily app habits and swap out the power-hungry culprits for more efficient alternatives to curb battery drain.
Update Your Device Regularly
Operating system updates often include power management optimizations and bug fixes. Ensuring your device is updated will keep it running efficiently.
FAQs: Common Battery Optimization Questions
How to Turn Off Battery Saver on Android?
Battery Saver can be toggled off through Settings > Battery > Battery Saver. Simply switch it off to return to normal performance.
Does Android Battery Manager Close Apps Automatically?
Yes, Android’s Battery Manager has settings that can automatically restrict apps that are draining battery in the background. Check Settings > Battery > Battery Manager to configure this feature.
How to Improve Battery Life on an Android Tablet?
The same settings apply to Android tablets as well. Additionally, using a high-quality battery charger compatible with your device can ensure efficient charging and better battery longevity.
Conclusion
Don’t let battery drain bring you down. Supercharge your Android’s staying power by flipping the switch on Battery Saver and Adaptive Battery. Then, focus on corralling wayward location services and rogue background apps that are leeching your battery dry. Properly tweaking your Android device’s settings can add hours to its battery life, letting you get more done without a mid-day recharge.
Ten essential settings join forces to extend your battery life, squeezing every last bit of power from each charge. Think of your Android device like a high-performance car: with regular tune-ups and smart driving habits, it’ll run smoothly and efficiently, leaving you with more time to focus on the things that matter – not where to find the next charger.