Increase battery life on Android: 9 settings you need to change now

I have spent a significant chunk of my life looking for ways to extend the battery life of my Android phones. That may sound dramatic, but growing up with only inexpensive models meant I was constantly modifying device settings to get the most out of their batteries. Thanks to this micromanaging, I was able to drive the batteries on all of my previous devices to their utmost limits. I do not want to keep this knowledge for myself, so I chose to share it with everyone.

There are numerous strategies for extending battery life. However, there are 12 important options that can be changed right now to see immediate results. The following list highlights the most effective, simple, and quick modifications to boost device longevity regardless of the Android phone you are using, whether it is the latest Samsung model, a luxury Google Pixel, or a cutting-edge OnePlus 13. Furthermore, you will not have to compromise the high-quality experience of using your phone.

Although the power settings are nearly identical on every Android phone available, the procedure of changing them varies by device. Keep this in mind when following the procedures I have outlined, as the technique may alter slightly based on the model you are using.

Turn off the always-on display

The always-on display is one of the largest battery drainers on any smartphone. Companies frequently claim that this display setting only consumes 1% to 2% per hour, but let us be honest: it is always far more. It may be convenient to check the time on your phone while it is sitting on a table, but it is unlikely to be worth the sacrifice of battery life.

Open the Settings app and navigate to the Lock Screen section. This section will most likely be found in the main Settings list or under “Display.” From there, look for the option to “always show info” or a simple toggle to enable the Always On Display. In any case, disable the option and ensure that when you lock your device, it turns absolutely blank.

Switch to dark mode

Over the last few years, many midrange and inexpensive Android phones have followed in the footsteps of their flagship counterparts, adopting OLED displays. When not in use, the technology allows individual pixels to fade or turn entirely off. This feature is considerably more efficient for battery life than typical LCD screens with a single large backlight. By switching to your phone’s dark theme, those pixels will get dimmer much more frequently, saving some battery life.

Go to Settings > Display on your Android device. There are options to choose between a light and dark theme, as well as to have dark mode turn on automatically at specific times of day. To get the most out of your battery, I recommend having dark mode on constantly.

Remove unused accounts

We have all done it: you open a new account for a social networking app or email service (which you subsequently forget about) and then create another account to serve as your primary account for that service or platform. I have been through this process several times. If you create accounts on your phone, all previous accounts stay, constantly refreshing and depleting your battery life in the background. I strongly advocate uninstalling some outdated accounts from your smartphone as soon as possible.

Go to the Settings app and find the accounts section (on Samsung phones, it’s called “Accounts and backup” while Pixel phones use “Passwords & accounts“). You’ll find a list of all the accounts synced to your phone. Tap on one of them and scroll down to the “Remove account” button. Tap it, and the account will disappear.

Reduce the screen’s refresh rate.

Phone screens have improved dramatically in recent years, thanks in part to quicker refresh rates implemented by manufacturers. Increasing the frequency with which a screen refreshes, whether at 90Hz, 120Hz, or even faster, makes animations, scrolling social media, and everyday activities feel smoother and more responsive. Unfortunately, a fast refresh rate consumes more battery power; you may be better off removing the option in some cases.

Open the Settings app and go to the Display section. Here you will find the options for configuring your refresh rate. Most smartphones refer to the function differently; for example, Google refers to it as “Smooth Display” whereas Samsung refers to it as “Motion Smoothness” Find the refresh rate setting and reset it to the regular rate. Your screen will most certainly appear choppier as a result, but this is totally normal. It simply means that it operates at 60Hz, which was the pace at which even the greatest phones ran a few years ago.

Turn off “Hey Google”

If your phone is always listening for you to say, “Hey, Google,” your battery is probably running low. Your microphone is engaged, waiting to hear you utter the two magic phrases that activate the digital assistant, and running that procedure all day consumes a significant amount of energy. Anyone who does not utilize the Assistant on a daily basis should disable the feature without hesitation. And let us be honest: how many of us use the assistance every day?

Open the Google app on your phone and select your profile photo from the top-right corner. Then, go to Settings > Google Assistant > Hey Google & Voice Match, and turn off “Hey Google” Now, your phone will only activate the Assistant if you hold down the power button or use another method.

Block apps to send notifications

You may not realize it, but notifications can be one of the most significant drains on your phone’s battery life. Not only does your phone buzz and ding all day, but the applications themselves are continually refreshing in the background, looking for new notifications to transmit to you. Most apps provide options for reducing the number of alerts you receive, but the simplest way to turn them off is through your phone’s Settings app.

Go to Settings > Notifications > App notifications to see a list of all the apps installed on your phone. Next to each entry are toggles that, when flipped, will disable all notifications for that particular app.

Keyboard sounds and haptics

If you are using your phone, you are probably typing on the keyboard a lot, whether it is to post on social media or answer to messages from friends. If you activate sound and haptic feedback, your phone’s battery life may suffer since it must produce a succession of vibrations and noises each time you tap a letter. Hearing and feeling the keyboard as you type is a pleasant experience, but it is not ideal for getting the most out of a fully charged battery.

Open the Settings app and navigate to “Language and input” This section contains your keyboard settings. Find the place where you may select your default keyboard and hit the gear icon next to it to modify settings. If you use Gboard (like most people), go to Preferences > Keypress and turn off “Sound on Keypress” and “Haptic feedback on Keypress“

Enable Adaptive Battery

Android include a useful function called Adaptive Battery, which is available on most handsets. Adaptive Battery may automatically control your phone’s performance and efficiency in the background, extending battery life through specific methods. For example, when you do not need maximum speed for something as basic as browsing through your inbox, the setting will slow things down and save you some battery life.

Go to Settings > Battery > Adaptive preferences and check to ensure “Adaptive battery” is enabled. If it’s not, flick it on.

Use battery saver to increase battery life

Battery Saver mode, like Adaptive Battery, is a useful function that helps increase the life of your smartphone between charges. The function makes significant modifications to your device’s firmware, including as limiting visual effects, restricting background apps, and putting on dark mode if it is not already enabled.

Most, if not all, Android phones have a Battery Saver feature, albeit it may have a different name. On Galaxy phones, for example, it is known as Power Saving Mode. Some may refer to it as low-power mode. For assistance with your specific model, check your phone manufacturer’s support website.

On Pixel phones, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Saver. You can also choose a schedule for when the feature will activate or turn off automatically. On Galaxy phones, go to Settings > Battery and Device Care > Battery. Flip the toggle switch next to Power Saving to activate the feature.