Why Is My Phone Battery Draining So Quickly?

By Author: Arsal Jawwad
Total Articles: 1
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Introduction
Smartphones are something we cannot imagine our lives without, but at the same time, their dependence on batteries can lead to frustration because they do not last as long as you expect them to. If your phone's battery drains fast, there can be multiple reasons, ranging from a few improper settings to getting old and aging components or misuse. Knowing the causes and applying the right practices can help in maximum battery extension for a continued smooth experience.

1. Excessive Screen Usage
Explanation
Your phone’s display is one of the most power-hungry components. Brightness settings, screen-on time, and high refresh rates can all significantly impact battery performance.

Common Culprits
Brightness Levels: Keeping your screen at maximum brightness can consume a substantial amount of energy.
Refresh Rates: High refresh rates (e.g., 120Hz) provide smoother visuals but require more power.
Always-On Display (AOD): While convenient, AOD features continuously use battery life.
Solution
Decrease screen brightness or enable adaptive brightness.
Configure ...
... the screen timeout to automatically shut down the display after some inactivity.
Disable or minimize AOD functionality.
2. Background Apps and Processes
Explanation
Most apps operate in the background, carrying out tasks such as data syncing, sending messages, or updating feed content. These background processes consume power and run without your explicit permission.

Common Suspects
Social Media Apps: Platforms like Facebook and Instagram frequently refresh content in the background.
Email Syncing: Constant email synchronization can be battery-intensive.
Location Services: Apps that constantly track your location (e.g., maps or weather) use significant power.
Solution
Close apps running in the background when not needed.
Restrict background activity for non-essential apps.
Turn off location services or limit them to when the app is in use.
3. Poor Signal Strength
Explanation
When your phone is having trouble connecting to a poor cellular or Wi-Fi signal, it works harder, using more battery along the way.

Common Culprits
Being in areas with poor network coverage
Using mobile data in low-signal areas
Constantly searching for a Wi-Fi or cellular connection
Solution
Enable Airplane Mode when no signal
Use Wi-Fi instead of cellular data if available
Turn off Wi-Fi or Bluetooth when not being used
4. Battery Health and Age
Explanation
Batteries degrade over time. If your phone is older, its battery may not hold a charge as well as it used to.

Common Culprits
Battery Cycles: Batteries only have so many charge cycles before their efficiency declines.
Physical Damage: Exposure to heat or impacts can shorten a battery's lifespan.
Solution
Replace the battery if it has degraded significantly.
Don't let your phone get exposed to extreme temperatures.
Use good-quality charging cables and adapters to avoid damage.
5. Power-Greedy Apps and Functions
Exposition
Some apps and features do consume more power than others, such as games and video streaming services, or AR-based applications.
Common Perpetrators
Streaming services like Netflix and YouTube.
Games, especially graphics-intensive mobile games.
Any function on your system that's running in the background, like Bluetooth or NFC, or GPS for example.
Limit the usage of power-hungry apps.
Turn off any features like Bluetooth and NFC when not in use.
Track application battery consumption in settings and remove or restrict any malfunctioning applications.
6. Software Updates and Bugs
Description
Outdated OS or bugs in the operating system can be responsible for inefficiencies and excessive draw on the battery.

Culprits
Applications whose updates are pending.
OS bugs contributing to inefficiencies in the battery's functioning.
Solution
Maintain current software on your phone for optimization and for debugging purposes.
If an update causes battery issues, consider tracking patches or even performing a factory reset.
7. Overcharging and Fast Charging
Explanation
While the contemporary smartphones are equipped to avoid overcharging, overnight tethering or the use of fast chargers causes heat and undue strain to the battery.

Common Culpits
Charging phone for long hours
Excessive reliance on fast charging
Remedy
Unplug the phone at 80 to 90 percent for maximum health.
Fast charging should be used less while standard chargers can be used most of the time.
8. Unoptimized Settings
Explanation
Certain settings, while convenient, can drain the battery unnecessarily if not managed well.

Common Culprits
Vibrations for notifications and calls.
Widgets that constantly refresh.
High screen resolution settings.
Solution
Turn off vibration for non-essential notifications.
Limit the use of live wallpapers and widgets.
Lower screen resolution if your phone allows it.
9. Malware or Adware
Explanation
Malware or adware running on your device can cause unusual battery drain as it often runs tasks without your knowledge.

Common Culprits
Apps downloaded from dubious applications.
Overbearing ads or pop-ups.
Solution
Download apps through trusted platforms like Google Play or the App Store.
Install a good antivirus app that scans for malware.
10. Environmental Factors
Definition
Extreme temperatures can drastically damage your battery's performance and life.
Common Perpetrators
Placing your phone in direct sunlight or near warm places
Using your phone in subzero temperatures.

Solution
Steer clear of extreme heat or cold temperatures for the device.
Use temperature-resistant phone cases.
Practical Tips to Increase Your Battery Life
Battery Saver Mode: Most smartphones have the option to turn on the mode that will limit some of the background activities to save power.
Charge Habits: Do not let your battery completely drain out, and avoid charging it to 100% all the time.
Update Apps: Many app developers do so to rectify problems by enhancing performance and minimizing battery consumption.
Disable Push Notifications: Try disabling most non-essential apps' push notifications to prevent battery wastage.
Track battery consumption: View and regulate power-guzzling applications using the settings of your phone.

Conclusion
A wide range of causes exists for battery drainage: they include high screen usage, background apps, old battery, environmental conditions, and many others. Once you know what those roots are and how to practice them, you easily add up enough life to your phone's battery. Regular maintenance, careful usage, and keeping updated with software patches hold the key to improve performance and get the chance to use your device throughout the day. For more information Click Here.

Understanding how to care for your phone's battery can save you frustration and ensure that your smartphone remains a reliable companion.