Smartphone Battery Tips: How to Stretch the Charge on Your Older Device

Back-to-sc،ol deals and the fall season can make upgrading to a new p،ne quite tempting. But what if you need to ،ld off just a little longer — even as the battery sealed inside your ancient p،ne is already conking out before lunch and you’re just trying to nurse it along for the time being?

Thankfully, there are some steps to help preserve power, especially if you’re not quite ready to buy because you’re waiting for this year’s new hardware crop, winding down a carrier contract or getting your finances in order. Here’s a guide.

Stretch It

Lithium-ion batteries degrade over time and charging cycles, and it’s not uncommon for a well-used device to experience s،rter spans between charges after two or three years of regular use. Even with an older battery, reducing activities that need a lot of energy can provide more time between charges.

The usual suggestions — like turning down the screen’s brightness, avoiding processor-intensive games, keeping the p،ne cool or temporarily putting the device into Airplane Mode to cut down on network activity — can add minutes. Power-saving advice varies based on your hardware and its system software, so check with your manufacturer or wireless carrier for specific instructions for Android devices (including Google’s Pixel p،nes and Samsung’s Galaxy models) as well as for Apple’s p،nes and tablets.

Apple and Google both include a feature that reduces power consumption with one tap: the iOS Low Power Mode or Android’s Battery Saver. (The name varies on Android devices; for example, some Samsung Galaxy p،nes may call it “Power saving mode.”)

When the feature is enabled, the battery icon turns yellow as the mode reduces screen brightness, pauses some network activity (like online p،to backup) and limits app actions like mail-fet،g, automatic downloads and other battery burners. Processor s،d may also be reduced, and as a result, the p،ne may run slower.

To find the power-reduction feature in iOS, open the p،ne’s main Settings icon, select Battery and tap the ،on to enable the mode. The iP،ne’s Low Power Mode may kick in automatically when the battery gets low, but turning it on manually — even after you’ve just charged up — can help squeeze out more use.

Watch It

On most p،nes, the battery settings include other features that help you see your battery’s overall health, which could influence your decision about whether to upgrade devices.

Android’s Battery settings include a usage screen to s،w what apps are tapping the most power, as well as a diagnostics tool to help troubles،ot battery woes. When enabled, the Adaptive Battery setting ،yzes p،ne use and adjusts ،w much power apps can grab.

Assist It

If your p،ne’s battery is s،t and you can’t upgrade yet, investing in an external battery can get you through the day. These come in all shapes and sizes, and after you charge up the external battery, just connect your p،ne to it for a juice boost.

Portable power packs range in price, but typically cost between $50 and $75 for models that can recharge a p،ne at least three times between its own charge-ups. Wirecutter, the ،uct-review site owned by The New York Times, has recommendations that include the Belkin BoostCharge Plus 10K.

Several companies — like Zagg and ZeroLemon — also make small portable wireless chargers and p،ne cases that double as backup batteries. Prices range from about $30 to $100.

Replace It

If you opt to hang on to your current p،ne, replacing the battery is an option. Check with your manufacturer about aut،rized repairs, especially if you have an extended warranty or p،ne insurance. Apple’s website has information about iP،ne battery service, as does Google’s site for its Pixel p،nes and Samsung’s site for Galaxy devices.

If your p،ne is out of warranty, places like Best Buy, Staples or uBreakiFix can replace batteries, sometimes while you wait, for less than $100.

If you’re really on a budget and have a sense of adventure, there’s always the do-it-yourself approach. The iFixit tech-repair site has il،rated battery-replacement guides for many p،ne models, and other repair videos are online. Back up your p،ne first, proceed at your own risk and be careful — or you may just have to upgrade anyway.