4 phone settings to improve battery life and make it last longer

Now mobile experts have revealed four simple settings that could help your phone battery last significantly longer – without spending a penny.

Four in five (79%) admit they regularly use their phone with less than 10% battery remaining, while the average Brit refuses to leave the house unless their handset has at least 61% charge.

The advice comes as research commissioned by Vodafone found almost half of UK smartphone users (46%) see their battery almost die at least once every week.

How to maximise battery life

For younger generations, running out of battery has become one of life’s biggest everyday worries.

More than a third of Gen Z (36%) and Millennials (34%) said the prospect of a flat phone battery was among their most stressful daily situations – ranking above running late, being stuck in traffic and losing their wallet or keys.

The growing dependence on smartphones is partly to blame.

Many now actively plan their journeys around places where they can recharge, with some plugging in on trains, at airports, cafés, restaurants and even shops.

The four settings that could make your battery last longer

Experts say a handful of simple tweaks can dramatically reduce battery drain throughout the day.

Turn on Low Power Mode

Low Power Mode reduces background activity and limits processes that consume unnecessary power.

On an iPhone, head to Settings > Battery and switch on Low Power Mode.

Android users will find a similar feature under the Battery settings menu.

Lower your screen brightness

Your display is one of the biggest battery drains on any smartphone.

Reducing brightness – even slightly – can noticeably extend battery life over the course of a day.

Using automatic brightness can also help reduce unnecessary power consumption.

Stop apps refreshing in the background

Many apps continue updating even when you’re not using them.

Turning off Background App Refresh for apps that don’t need live updates can reduce battery drain considerably.

Keep your phone updated

Software updates don’t just introduce new features.

Manufacturers frequently include battery optimisation improvements that help devices run more efficiently, making it worth installing updates when they become available.

Why we’re charging our phones more than ever

The study found the average smartphone now spends around three hours every day plugged into a charger.

Nearly three-quarters of people (73%) leave their phone permanently connected while at home, while almost a third (29%) regularly charge it at work.

One in three Britons now carries a portable power bank, while two in five make sure they always have a charging cable with them.

Kester Mann, Research Director at CCS Insight, said smartphones have become central to almost every aspect of modern life.

“The smartphone has become the remote control for our lives, enabling us to do everything from keeping in touch, making payments, taking photos and getting directions,” he said.

“It’s no surprise that people are anxious about running low on battery.”

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He added that battery life is now the second most important factor people consider when buying a new smartphone – ranking ahead of storage, camera quality and design.

“Knowing they can get their battery replaced if it won’t make it through the day gives consumers peace of mind,” he said.

“Extending a smartphone’s lifespan is also the right thing to do from an environmental perspective.”