How to make your phone battery last longer (iPhone and Android)

Step 1: Find the real cause first

Open Settings > Battery on any phone and look at battery usage by app. Screen time is normal drain. The red flag is an app with a high battery share but little screen time, because that means it is working in the background. Fix those apps first.

Menu names differ slightly between phone brands and system versions, so use the Settings search box if you cannot find an option.

On iPhone

1. Check battery health. Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If Maximum Capacity has dropped to around 80% or lower, settings will only help so much and a battery replacement is the real fix. Apple designs iPhone 15 and later batteries to keep 80% capacity after 1,000 charge cycles, and earlier models after 500.
2. Set a charging limit or keep Optimized Charging on. On iPhone 15 and later, look under Settings > Battery > Charging to choose a limit between 80% and 100%. On older models, use Battery Health & Charging and leave Optimized Battery Charging on.
3. Limit Background App Refresh. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Turn it off or set it to Wi-Fi only, and disable it for social media and shopping apps that do not need to update when closed.
4. Use Low Power Mode when needed. Find it at Settings > Battery > Power Mode, or in Control Center. It pauses background refresh and some visual effects, and lowers the refresh rate on ProMotion screens. On supported models with iOS 26 or later, Adaptive Power can adjust this for you.
5. Restrict location access. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and set apps to While Using the App, or Never, unless they need constant tracking.
6. Do not bother closing apps. Apple says swiping away every app does not improve battery life.

On Android

1. Restrict problem apps. Go to Settings > Apps, choose the app, then Battery, and set it to Optimized or Restricted. Some brands call this background usage limits.
2. Turn on Adaptive Battery or Battery Saver. Look under Settings > Battery. Adaptive features learn which apps you rarely use and limit them.
3. Lower the screen refresh rate. If your phone offers 120Hz, switching to 60Hz in Display settings (often called Smooth display or Motion smoothness) can save noticeable power.
4. Use a charge limit if available. Samsung offers Battery protection and Pixel offers charging optimization, both under Settings > Battery.
5. Update apps and the system. Updates sometimes fix battery drain bugs. Extra drain for a few days after a major update is common while the phone re-indexes.

Settings that help on any phone

• Brightness: use automatic brightness, and dark mode if your phone has an OLED screen.
• Screen timeout: 30 seconds is enough for most people.
• Always-on display: turn it off if you need every hour.
• Weak signal: phones use more power searching for a signal, so use Wi-Fi where mobile coverage is poor.
• Notifications: every alert wakes the screen, so turn off the ones you do not need.

Protect the battery itself

Heat does the most damage. Apple says iPhones work best between 16°C and 22°C and should not be used in temperatures above 35°C, and the same caution applies to Android. Do not leave your phone in a hot car, charge it under a pillow, or play demanding games while it charges in the sun. Some cases trap heat, so take the case off if the phone feels hot while charging. Avoid draining to 0% often, and use the maker’s charger or a certified one.

When it is time for a new battery

If the phone still dies quickly after you fix the settings, or shuts down at 20–30% charge, the battery is probably worn. Replace it at an authorised service centre. A new battery usually costs far less than a new phone. If you are shopping for a new phone, battery life is one reason the iPhone 18 Pro Max gets strong reviews.

Menu paths checked on November 9, 2026 against Apple’s battery guidance as summarised by MacRumors and other guides. Names vary by phone and system version.