How to Make Your Phone Battery Last Longer

Simple steps to extend your phone's battery life and keep your family connected longer throughout the day.

  1. Adjust Your Screen Settings. Your phone's screen uses more battery than almost anything else. Turn down your screen brightness by going to your phone's settings and finding the display or brightness section. You can also turn on automatic brightness so your phone adjusts based on your surroundings. Consider shortening how long your screen stays on after you stop using it - set it to turn off after 30 seconds or 1 minute instead of 2-5 minutes.
  2. Turn Off Apps Running in the Background. Many apps keep running even when you're not using them, which drains your battery. Close apps you're not actively using by double-tapping your home button (iPhone) or using the recent apps button (Android), then swiping up on the apps to close them. You can also go into your phone's settings to see which apps are using the most battery and turn off background refresh for apps you don't need constantly updating.
  3. Manage Your Connections. Turn off WiFi, Bluetooth, and location services when you don't need them. If you're not using wireless headphones, turn off Bluetooth. When you're not near trusted WiFi networks, turn off WiFi so your phone stops searching for connections. For location services, go to your privacy settings and only allow apps that truly need your location to access it, like maps or weather apps.
  4. Use Power Saving Features. Most phones have built-in battery saving modes that automatically adjust multiple settings to extend battery life. Look for 'Battery Saver,' 'Low Power Mode,' or 'Power Saving Mode' in your settings. You can often set this to turn on automatically when your battery reaches 20% or lower. These modes reduce background activity, limit visual effects, and optimize performance for longer battery life.
  5. Keep Your Phone Cool and Charge Smart. Heat damages batteries, so avoid leaving your phone in hot cars or direct sunlight. When charging, use the charger that came with your phone or a certified replacement. You don't need to let your battery drain completely before charging - in fact, it's better to charge when you reach 20-30% battery remaining. Unplug your phone once it reaches 100% instead of leaving it plugged in overnight when possible.