• On an Android phone, go toSettings|Battery and device care| Battery | Power mode. You'll notice the phone will project how much time you have left on your present charge inBatteryand, by tapping More battery settings, gives you the option to choose anAdaptive battery option that could extend battery life based on your usage patterns.
• On an iPhone, find the toggle switch underSettings|Battery|Low Power Mode.Clicking the switch to green will put your phone in Low Power Mode immediately.
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• On a Mac running macOS 13, also calledVentura, click theApplelogo |System Settings|Batteryin the left column, also called a rail. Click the box next toLow Power Modeto indicate whether you will enable this mode when the computer isOnly on Battery, Only on Power Adapter,Never, orAlways. In this mode, the Mac will reduce energy usage to increase battery life and operate more quietly.
• On a Windows PC,clickStart ⊞at the bottom of your screen |Settings ⚙|System|Power & battery | Power mode. The Start menu is in the lower left corner on Windows 10 but more toward the bottom middle if you haveupgraded to Windows 11.
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4. Watch out for power-hungry apps
No matter what your device, its battery will drain faster if you’re using it for tasks that demand more of the system’s resources, such as watching video or playing multiplayer games. So it’s a good idea to make sure that whatever you’re using is well charged or plugged into a power source.
Other apps that require a lot of computing power and therefore battery power include programs that render images in 3D, productivity software such as Adobe Photoshop and Apple iMovie, and sophisticated games. Less taxing tasks include typing notes or browsing the web.
Animated wallpaper,also called live or dynamic wallpaper, looks nice but requires power for the animation. Don’t use it, or at least search for battery-friendly versions.
Peripherals,devices that attach to your computer such as external microphones, monitors and add-on webcams, draw power from your laptop when you have them plugged into a USB port on your computer. Use only what’s needed.
Multitasking,such as listening to music while reading an e-book, also can contribute to faster battery drain. So close an app when you’ve finished using it.
On a computer running Windows, you can check the Task Manager — Control, Shift and Escape keys depressed simultaneously — to learn what applications are consuming the most power. On a Mac, use Activity Monitor, found inFinder|Applications|Utilities|Activity Monitor. Then you can choose which apps you don’t need open at the moment.
5. Lock your phone
Always lock your smartphone when you aren't using it. Many have a button on the right side.
You'll still be able to receive calls and texts, but you won't accidentally turn on the phone when it's in your pocket or purse because you hit a button or the screen. This also prevents embarrassing pocket dials.
6. Update your operating system
On all your devices, remember to download and install all updates to the operating system whenever they are available. Manufacturers are always trying out new ways to improve power management and fix software bugs that could affect battery performance, too.
Check to see if your device is set to do this automatically. That's best.
• On an Android phone, and as a reminder the steps vary by model, go toSettings|System update|Download and install. You may also see a Check for install button. By placing your finger on Download and install, your phone will check for any updates. The option ofLast updateon the same screen as Download and install tells you not only when your most recent update was installed but also what's new. Most system updates and security upgrades already happen automatically.
• On an iPhone, go toSettings|General|Software Update|Automatic Updatesto make sure that the toggles forDownload iOS UpdatesandInstall iOS Updatesare turned on and green.You can also enable a toggle to automatically install Security Responses & System Files.
•On a Mac running Ventura,click theApplelogo |System Settings|General|Software Updateand selectAutomatic updates. For more granular control, click thecircled ito enable switches forCheck for updates,Download new updates when available, Install macOS updates,Install application updates from the App Store, and Install Security Responses and System files.
• On a Mac running Ventura, click the Apple logo | System Settings | General | Software Update.
• On a Windows PC, typeupdatesin the search bar –or magnifying glass🔎 – at the bottom of the screen and click onCheck for updates. Most automatically update but allow you inAdvanced optionsto pause updates until a date you choose if needed.
