Why Is Your Android Phone’s Battery Dying?

If your Android device frequently runs out of battery before you can request an Uber ride home in the evening, there is no need for concern; you can enhance its longevity by fine-tuning your settings.

While battery depletion can occasionally be attributed to malware, such instances are quite uncommon. Typically, everyday smartphone activities are responsible—applications operating in the background, notifications activating the screen, and the display itself consuming significant power to illuminate its vibrant pixels. By adjusting your settings, you can effectively manage these power-intensive processes.

Reasons for Battery Drain

The software enhancements in Android 14 have significantly improved battery performance by optimizing the management of background processes. The operating system effectively limits the activity of applications that unnecessarily consume battery life while running in the background. Additionally, Android 14 exhibits greater intelligence in caching app data, learning your usage habits to retain the information your applications require, thereby facilitating quicker loading times. This results in reduced energy wastage and prolonged battery life.

However, if you possess an older device, it may lack the necessary power to fully support Android 14. When you upgrade your operating system, the new battery-saving features may not compensate for the energy consumed by functionalities that the hardware is not optimized to handle.

The majority of smartphones continue to utilize lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, a technology that has been prevalent for many years. These batteries provide an optimal balance of power, size, cost, and longevity, making them the preferred choice for mobile devices. Manufacturers are continually enhancing the lifespan of Li-ion batteries through advancements in materials and design. Nevertheless, their longevity—measured in charge cycles from full to empty—is finite. After numerous charge cycles, performance will inevitably decline. Therefore, modifying your settings can also assist in managing this issue.

Enhancing the Battery Life of Your Android Device

I have evaluated the following settings on various Android devices operating on Android 14. However, these recommendations apply to any device running Android 10 or later. Please note that the names of menu options may differ slightly depending on the Android version and the manufacturer. For instance, the “Battery” settings may be labeled as “Power” settings on certain devices.

1. Identify and Limit Resource-Intensive Applications
Understanding which applications are the most power-consuming enables you to take appropriate measures. Consider uninstalling applications that you seldom use. Additionally, utilize Android’s built-in features to restrict background activity and battery consumption for the applications you wish to retain.

Navigate to Settings > Battery > Battery Usage [or Settings > Battery].

2. Explore Premium Versions of Applications

Many free applications are supported by advertisements, which continuously refresh and connect to servers, thereby depleting your device’s battery. Opting for premium versions of these applications eliminates ads and mitigates this power drain.

3. Avoid Manually Closing Applications

Android is designed to handle applications efficiently. Manually closing them (as opposed to merely switching away) can compel the system to reopen them later, potentially leading to increased battery consumption over time.

4. Minimize Home Screen Widgets

Widgets that update frequently (such as those for weather, news, or social media) can significantly impact battery life due to their constant data synchronization and screen refreshes. The more widgets you have, the greater the battery drain. Specifically, consider limiting your weather widget to only the most critical locations, as each location update requires data, which consumes power.

5. Utilize Airplane Mode judiciously

In areas with weak signal strength, your device exerts additional effort to maintain a cellular connection, which can lead to increased battery consumption. Activating Airplane Mode temporarily disables all wireless communications. You may still enable WiFi for calls and connectivity as required, and Bluetooth can be activated for the use of accessories such as wireless headphones.

6. Disable notifications for specific applications

Each notification received can activate your screen, initiate vibrations, or illuminate the notification LED, all of which contribute to battery drain. It is advisable to turn off notifications for non-essential applications or to modify their settings to reduce their intrusiveness.

Navigate to Settings > Apps & Notifications [or Notifications > App Notifications] > Select individual applications.

7. Disable Lock Screen notifications

If you prefer to view notifications while using your device, you can prevent them from appearing on your Lock Screen. Turning off this feature when your device is not in use helps keep the screen off until you choose to activate it.

Access Settings > Display > Lock Screen [or Settings > Lock Screen > Always On Display].

8. Activate GPS only when necessary

GPS is among the most power-intensive features of your device. Deactivating it when not in use can significantly prolong battery life. Additionally, consider utilizing “Battery Saving” mode in the Location settings (if available on your device) for less accurate but more energy-efficient location tracking.

Go to Settings > Location.

9. Disable location tracking for non-essential applications

Certain applications may continuously access your location in the background, leading to battery depletion. Reviewing these permissions allows you to limit access to applications that do not require constant location updates. It is advisable to select “Allow only while using the app” for all applications. If an application requires location data to function, it will prompt you and inform you of any features that will be disabled if you do not permit constant access. Furthermore, sharing your precise location is unnecessary for most applications; therefore, consider turning off “Use precise location” for each application to conserve battery life.

Navigate to Settings > Location.

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