I recently replaced a seven-year-old phone. I’m not kidding. For many years, the last time I upgraded my phone was in 2019 to a Samsung Galaxy Note10+. It became this running gag in my family, with everyone wondering when I’d finally get a new phone. I had lost the stylus long ago. The back of the phone casing was shattered (even though my cover held it all together). My wife and kids are always eager to make upgrades any chance they can get. And while I love technology and new gadgets, a phone has always just been a phone to me. I never had any real drive to replace it and make another fun payment on a new one. But two weeks ago, I finally took the plunge and picked up a Google Pixel 11 Pro XL, and I can say that it is nice to once again have a phone that will last me an entire day and still have only depleted the battery roughly 50%.

Truth be told, my Galaxy Note10+ still has a solid battery. I may have to charge it by the time dinner comes around, or else I’ll have to go to bed without doom-scrolling later. But at the end of the day, it met my needs for over seven years. I attribute that to the way in which I treated my phone and the battery fueling it. Your battery life can be extended if you know what usage habits to form and settings to use. If you’re like me when it comes to phones and are satisfied as long as it actually operates as a phone, texts, has internet functionality, and can still maybe take a half-way decent picture, then here are some things you can do to extend your device’s life. By the time you’re ready to part with it, your service provider will be begging you to upgrade with freebie offers, much like mine did.

Your charging habits might make all the difference

The enemy of your phone’s battery is heat

This might be a no-brainer, but an overheated phone is an exhausted phone. We humans can relate. Lithium-ion batteries degrade when exposed to heat. But you can keep your phone from experiencing unnecessary or excessive heat by keeping it out of direct sunlight or warm places like a hot car. If you notice that your phone is getting hot while charging, consider unplugging it and letting it cool down. From an environmental standpoint, just be aware of the heat your phone is absorbing from outside sources.

Now, let’s talk about the inside. Your phone will heat up when charging, but most of the time it’s not noticeable. The longer your phone charges, the more heat the battery builds up. Therefore, it’s best that you don’t run your phone down to 0% and constantly charge it to a full 100%. Repeatedly charging a phone in this manner will eventually contribute to a higher rate of degradation. The best method to follow is the 20-80 rule. This recommendation postulates that keeping your phone’s battery anywhere between 20% and 80% is better for its overall health. The more you keep it away from the 0% and 100% ends of the spectrum, the better. So, next time you’re charging your phone, and you glance over at it to see that it’s at around 80%, consider that a good stopping point. Fast charging is typically fine, especially when using proper supported cables and bricks. Wireless charging doesn’t inherently affect your phone’s battery health either. It’s all about your charging habits.

Turn on your phone’s optimized charging features

Built-in features can go a long way

In practice, understanding the best charging habits is a great first step. But no one really wants to micromanage every charge. Thankfully, many phones have built-in protections in place that can take care of this for you. Most new iOS and Android phones come with optimized battery charging features. Newer phones can learn your behaviors and habits and disable background processes and apps to extend battery life. Some phones even limit charging if you so choose. My new Google Pixel 11 has an option where I can have charging stop at 80%. Head on over to your phone’s settings, find selections for the battery and charging, and see what’s available. Take advantage of whatever optimization support your phone offers so that your device can do the heavy lifting when it comes to proper management.

Small everyday changes can have a beneficial impact on your battery’s longevity

Avoid unnecessary strain

The most important factor when it comes to caring for your phone’s battery is just being cognizant of your usage and your phone’s surroundings. As mentioned, batteries and heat don’t go well together. Keeping your phone in cool places is a great first step. Understanding what functions on your phone cause additional strain is the next best step to keeping your battery healthy. Games with intense visuals or graphical capabilities can cause your device to heat up more rapidly than other functions. The same can be said for recording lengthy videos or other similar activities. I’m not saying that you should avoid demanding apps altogether. Just be aware of the amount of time that you use such functions so can continue to optimize your battery’s usage.

Most phones also have settings that allow you to see which apps use the most battery power. You can review this to see if there are any changes you can make to your particular usage patterns. Adaptive battery functions can certainly help in this arena. Sometimes, diagnostic tools are available to help you monitor your battery health. Periodically checking in and seeing where your device’s battery is at is half the battle.

All batteries degrade. There’s no stopping it. Your phone will naturally generate heat, also. But being aware of what elements can add extra wear and strain on your battery will help you care for it in the long run. Battery care doesn’t have to be a chore; it’s just about forming good habits.