From tracking your workout to navigating through rush hour, smartphone technology can do some amazing things. Unfortunately, providing unlimited battery life is not one of them.
So it’s up to software, settings and you to stretch out the limited battery life for as long as possible. Here are some simple tips and tricks you can use:
- Dim the screen brightness. The display rapidly consumes battery. Most phones include an auto-brightness feature that automatically adjusts the screen's brightness as needed. However, you can save even more power by adjusting to the lowest level yourself.
- Shorten the screen timeout. This setting controls how long your phone's screen stays lit after receiving input, such as a tap. Save power by setting your timeout to the shortest available time.
- Turn off Bluetooth when not in use. Bluetooth can do some amazing things, but even if you’re not using it, it’s a huge battery sucker.
- Avoid extreme temperatures. Smart phones are designed to perform well in a range of temperatures, but exposing them to extremely high or low temperatures can damage battery capacity.
- Choose location services wisely. Many apps have the ability to monitor your location. You can either disable this feature all together if it’s not needed, or some will allow you to use location services only while using the app.
- Close Apps that you’re not using. Don't leave apps running in the background if you don’t plan to use them for a while.
- Turn vibrate off. Your phones vibrate features use much more power than playing a ringtone.
- Turn off non-essential notifications. Every time an app sends you an alert or other type of notification, it’s consuming energy.
- Check for mail less often. Unless you need email messages instantly, change your phone settings to only push email every so often.
- Power Saving Mode. Some phones have a power-saving feature, which a manages the phone's various power-sapping features for you. Doesn’t get any easier than that!
If you’re like most people these days, you rely on your smartphone throughout the day (and night!). Hopefully these power-saving tips will help you get in that much more time between charges.