Charge Smarter, Last Longer: Pro Tips to Maintain Android and iOS Battery Health
As smartphones become essential tools, the lifespan of their batteries becomes increasingly important. Modern batteries, whether lithium-ion or silicon-carbon, are subject to wear and tear. While manufacturers include battery protection technologies, you can take additional steps to preserve your battery’s health.
Here are five everyday practices to keep your smartphone battery in top condition.
1. Avoid Clearing Recent Apps
Many users reflexively clear recent apps to prevent background activity and conserve power. However, modern Android and iOS devices have sophisticated memory management systems. They automatically freeze or deep sleep background apps to conserve energy. Removing an app from the background and reopening it forces the system to reload it from storage, which uses more power than if the app had been left running in the background. Therefore, leaving apps in the recent apps screen can save battery and reduce strain.
2. Refrain from Charging During Heavy Use
A simple yet effective strategy is to avoid charging your phone while gaming or engaging in other demanding tasks. Heat accelerates battery degradation. The charging process generates heat, and intensive tasks exacerbate this, potentially shortening the battery’s lifespan.
3. Limit ‘Active Apps’
Unlike typical background apps, active apps continue running in the background even after you clear them from memory. A significant number of active apps can drain your battery and diminish its overall health, requiring you to recharge more frequently. On Android devices, you can quickly view these apps in the quick settings tile by tapping the three-dot button and selecting ‘Active apps.’ You also have a ‘Stop’ button to halt these apps.
4. Minimize Outdoor Use in Extreme Heat
While not always feasible, try to limit smartphone usage in hot environments. High temperatures can cause the device, including the battery, to overheat. This is especially true in areas exceeding 40 degrees Celsius. Since smartphone chipsets already generate heat, using your phone in a hot environment amplifies this effect. If you suspect your phone is overheating, also avoid keeping it in your pocket, as this traps heat and can degrade battery health.
5. Cap Charging at 80 Percent
The 80 percent limit may sound arbitrary, but it is based on battery science. Heat is just one factor in battery degradation, and high voltage during charging also plays a role. Battery voltage tends to be higher when you are charging to 60 percent and slows down as it reaches full. This isn’t a major concern for infrequent full charges but frequent full charging cycles can accelerate battery wear. Limiting the charge to 80 percent can help, since the battery doesn’t reach its peak voltage. Many modern smartphones now have built-in options to limit charging to 80 percent. However, this may not suit everyone, as you might need the extra 20 percent in specific situations. If you regularly have access to a charger, focus should be on limiting it to 80 percent, but feel free to fully charge it when necessary.
