Is your smartphone running out of juice faster than it should? If plugging it in overnight only results in a midday dead battery, you’re not alone. Many devices secretly drain power due to background activities, settings, and apps you might have overlooked. Fortunately, a few simple adjustments can significantly extend your battery life, keeping your device powered throughout the day without sacrificing functionality.

Stop Unnecessary Background App Activity

Many apps continue running in the background even when you’re not actively using them. These processes fetch updates, refresh data, and send notifications, all of which consume valuable battery. Restricting background app activity for seldom-used applications can save hours of battery life daily. Keep essential apps like messaging, navigation, and weather active for real-time updates, but disable background refresh for others through your device’s settings.

Why the Always-On Display Can Drain Power

The sleek Always-On Display feature shows time, notifications, or widgets even when your phone is idle. While convenient, this feature keeps part of your screen lit continuously, leading to increased power consumption over time. Turning off the Always-On Display can boost your device’s standby time by up to 15%, especially during overnight hours. Check your device’s display settings to disable this feature if long-lasting battery is a priority.

Manage Location Tracking and GPS Usage

GPS is one of the leading hidden battery drainers. Apps that track your location—such as mapping, ride-sharing, or retail apps—often run in the background, even when not in use. Adjusting app permissions to limit location access only when necessary can greatly improve battery efficiency and enhance privacy. Keep essential services like Find My iPhone or Emergency SOS enabled, but disable background location for non-essential apps to conserve power.

Reduce Display Activation and Motion-Activated Features

Every time you pick up your phone or the screen lights up unexpectedly, it consumes battery. Motion sensors and gestures like lift-to-wake or notifications lighting up the display contribute to unnecessary power drain. Disabling these features can reduce screen wake-ups, helping your device last longer between charges. Use your device’s display settings to turn off motion-based activation and keep the screen off when not needed.

Utilize Built-In Battery Diagnostics

If your phone’s battery is still draining rapidly despite these tweaks, it’s time to check its health. Both iPhones and Android devices offer diagnostic tools that reveal which apps or processes consume the most power. Identifying these culprits enables targeted action—whether closing power-hungry apps or replacing an aging battery. Regularly monitoring battery usage can help catch new drainers early and maintain optimal device performance.

For comprehensive tips on securing your device and optimizing its longevity, visit official resources such as the Apple Support Battery Guide or the Google Android Battery Optimization.

Ethan Cole

I'm Ethan Cole, a tech journalist with a passion for uncovering the stories behind innovation. I write about emerging technologies, startups, and the digital trends shaping our future. Read me on x.com