How to Make Your Android Battery Last Longer

If your Android battery drains fast, you may find that your phone needs charging before the day is over. That can be frustrating when you rely on it for calls, messages, directions, photos, and keeping in touch with family.

A few simple changes can often help your battery last longer. The menus vary between Android phones, especially on Samsung Galaxy devices, but the settings in this guide are available on many models. You don’t need to change everything at once.

Step 1: Find out what’s using your battery

Before changing settings, check which apps and features are using the most power. This helps you focus on the likely cause instead of switching off things you need.

1. Open your phone’s Settings app.
2. Tap Battery.
3. Look for Battery usage or a similar option.
4. Review the list of apps and see which ones have used the most battery.
5. If an app is using more power than you expect, consider whether you have been using it frequently or whether it may be active in the background.

The exact wording differs by phone. On Samsung Galaxy phones, open Settings > Battery and device care > Battery to review battery information. Some recent Samsung models show Battery directly in Settings.

An app near the top of the list is not necessarily faulty. Video, navigation, games, and camera apps can use more power when you use them often.

Good to know: Battery usage figures show where power has gone, not automatically what is wrong. Check the time period and how you used each app before deciding to restrict it.

Step 2: Turn on Battery Saver

Battery Saver reduces some background activity and other features to help your phone use less power. It is useful when your battery is running low or you know you will be away from a charger.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Battery.
3. Tap Battery Saver or Power saving mode, depending on your phone.
4. Turn the feature on.

You may also be able to turn Battery Saver on from Quick Settings. Swipe down from the top of the screen, then look for Battery Saver or Power saving mode. You may need to swipe down again to see all the available controls.

On Samsung Galaxy phones, the setting is commonly called Power saving mode. You can usually find it under Settings > Battery or in the Quick Settings panel.

Tip: Battery Saver is handy when you need extra time from the charge you have left. Some background updates and notifications may be delayed while it is on.

Step 3: Reduce screen brightness and screen timeout

Your phone’s display can use a significant amount of battery, particularly when it is very bright. Lowering brightness and letting the screen turn off sooner are simple changes.

1. Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings panel.
2. Find the brightness slider.
3. Move it to a comfortable lower level.
4. Open Settings > Display.
5. Look for Screen timeout and choose a shorter time, such as 30 seconds, if that suits how you use your phone.

Some phones offer Adaptive brightness, which adjusts screen brightness according to the surrounding light. You can usually find it under Settings > Display. Turn it on if you would like your phone to make those adjustments automatically.

On Samsung Galaxy phones, look under Settings > Display for Adaptive brightness and Screen timeout.

Careful: Choose a brightness level that is comfortable to read. A screen that is too dim can be difficult to use, especially outdoors.

Step 4: Limit background activity for apps you rarely use

Some apps continue doing work when you are not looking at them. Restricting background activity for an app you rarely use may help reduce battery consumption.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Apps.
3. Choose an app you do not need to update frequently.
4. Tap App battery usage or Battery if that option appears.
5. Review the available background-use settings and choose a more restricted option if appropriate.

Menu names and choices vary between Android versions and phone makers. On Samsung Galaxy phones, you can also review Background usage limits under Settings > Battery. Options may include putting unused apps to sleep or adding selected apps to sleeping lists.

Avoid restricting apps that need to deliver timely alerts, such as messaging, email, security, or medical alert apps. Their notifications may be delayed if background activity is limited.

Step 5: Review location access

Some apps use your phone’s location to provide directions, local weather, or nearby services. Reviewing location permissions can help reduce unnecessary location use and gives you more control over which apps can access it.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Location. On some phones, you may need to tap Security & privacy or Privacy first.
3. Open App location permissions or App permissions.
4. Review the apps listed.
5. For an app that does not need your location, choose Don’t allow. For others, consider Allow only while using the app if that meets your needs.

On Samsung Galaxy phones, open Settings > Location > App permissions. The exact labels can vary by software version.

Tip: Choose permissions based on what each app does. A navigation app may need location access while you use it, but a simple calculator usually does not.

Step 6: Connect to Wi-Fi when it’s available

A weak mobile signal can make your phone work harder to stay connected. When you have access to a reliable Wi-Fi network, using it may help reduce battery use.

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Network & internet or Connections.
3. Tap Internet or Wi-Fi.
4. Turn on Wi-Fi and select a trusted network.
5. Enter the password if asked.

On Samsung Galaxy phones, the usual route is Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi.

If you are somewhere with very poor mobile coverage and do not need calls or mobile data, Airplane Mode can stop the phone searching for a mobile signal. Remember that it disconnects cellular service, so ordinary calls and messages may not come through while it is on. You can turn Wi-Fi back on separately if needed.

Step 7: Check your battery’s condition

If your phone still runs out of power much sooner than it used to, the battery itself may have aged. Rechargeable batteries gradually lose capacity over time.

1. Open Settings and tap Battery.
2. Look for a battery health, diagnostics, or battery information option if your phone provides one.
3. Review any warning or service message.
4. If there is no battery health option, check your phone maker’s support information or diagnostics app.

Not every Android phone shows a battery health percentage in Settings. Samsung Galaxy owners can use the Samsung Members app on supported devices: open the app, go to Support, and look for Phone diagnostics or Diagnostics, then choose the battery test if available.

If your phone reports a battery problem, or its battery life has become difficult to manage, contact the manufacturer or an authorized repair provider for advice.

Troubleshooting: If your Android battery still drains quickly

If the battery continues to run down unusually fast, try these checks:

• You recently updated Android: Your phone may carry out background tasks after an update. Give it some time, then check battery usage again.
• One app uses much more power than expected: Update the app through Google Play, restart your phone, and check its battery use again. If the problem continues, contact the app developer.
• Your phone gets unusually warm: Very hot or cold conditions can affect battery performance. Keep the phone away from direct sunlight and within the manufacturer’s recommended temperature range.
• The battery percentage drops suddenly: Restart the phone and check for software updates. If it keeps happening, the battery may need professional assessment.
• You cannot find a setting: Open Settings and use its search field to look for terms such as “Battery Saver,” “Screen timeout,” or “App battery usage.”

Get more time from each charge

Start by checking battery usage, then try the changes that fit your routine. A slightly dimmer screen, sensible app permissions, and Battery Saver when needed can help your Android phone last longer between charges.