Why is my phone battery draining so fast? 8 things to check

Before you start

• Your phone is charged to at least 30%, so you can test it properly.
• You know roughly how long a charge used to last, so you can tell whether things improve.
• You've noted when the drain started: after an update, a new app or a drop.

0 of 3 done. Ticking just helps you keep track; nothing is saved or sent.

Steps

1. 1

   See which apps use the most battery

   On iPhone, open Settings > Battery and scroll to the list of apps. On Android, open Settings > Battery, then Battery usage (names vary by brand). An app you rarely use near the top of the list is a good place to start.

2. 2

   Check the battery's health

   On iPhone, open Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging and look at Maximum Capacity. Many Android phones show battery health under Settings > Battery or in the manufacturer's support app. Batteries are consumable: their capacity falls a little with every charge cycle.

3. 3

   Turn the screen brightness down

   The screen is usually the biggest single user of power. Turn on automatic brightness, and shorten the time before the screen locks.

4. 4

   Restart your phone

   A restart stops apps that have got stuck running in the background. It's simple, safe and often helps.

5. 5

   Install updates

   Updates to your phone's software and apps often fix battery problems. On iPhone: Settings > General > Software Update. On Android: Settings > System > Software update (or similar).

6. 6

   Limit background activity for the worst app

   On iPhone, you can turn off Background App Refresh for an app under Settings > General > Background App Refresh. On Android, open the app's settings under Settings > Apps and restrict its battery use.

7. 7

   Watch for a weak signal

   In places with poor mobile signal, your phone works harder to stay connected. Using Wi-Fi where you can, or Airplane Mode when you don't need calls, saves power.

8. 8

   Use a power-saving mode when you need to

   Low Power Mode on iPhone, or Battery Saver on Android, reduces background activity until you can charge.

If this happens, try this

• If one app is using far more battery than others

  Update it, restart the phone, or delete and reinstall it.

• If the battery health is low or the phone shuts down suddenly

  The battery itself is likely worn out. A battery replacement is usually much cheaper than a new phone.

• If the drain started right after a big update

  Give it a day or two. Phones often do extra work in the background after an update, then settle down.

• If the phone gets hot when you're not using it

  Note which apps are open and check the battery usage list. A phone that's hot and draining for no reason needs a closer look.

Things to be careful about

• A battery that's swollen, pushing the screen or back up, or a phone that gets very hot while charging: stop using and charging it and get it checked.

• Use a good-quality charger and cable. Cheap, unbranded chargers can be unsafe.

• Avoid "battery saver" or "cleaner" apps from unknown developers. Many cause more drain than they save, and some show adverts or collect data.