How to extend your phone’s battery life

Some phones are known for having great battery life, but even top performers can suffer if they’re not properly looked after. 

Here’s how a few small changes can help you get more out of every charge and keep your battery healthier for longer. 

Boost your phone's long-term battery health by letting your phone finish charging before use. Heavy strain like gaming or streaming while charging generates extra heat, which can slowly damage battery capacity over time. 

Heat is a major enemy of battery health, so try to avoid leaving your phone in direct sunlight, on car dashboards or near other heat sources. 

Another top care tip is to keep your phone battery roughly between 20% and 80%. Avoid draining it to 0% or leaving it plugged in and fully charged overnight, as both can shorten its lifespan. 

Smart charging tools are now built into Apple and Android phones, which slow charging above 80% based on your typical usage. Switching these features on is a simple and easy way to look after your phone battery without changing how you use your phone.

Your phone already has built-in tools designed to manage power more efficiently – you just need to make sure they’re switched on and working for you.

Both iOS and Android feature low power or eco battery modes that limit background activity, reduce visual effects and slow down background processes. 

For iPhone, Low Power Mode is one of the quickest wins. You can find more tips on how to care for your iPhone’s battery health in O2’s Help Guides for Apple devices. 

On Android, Battery Saver and Adaptive Battery features learn which apps you use most and limit power to the rest. Check out O2’s Help Guides for Android phones. 

Apps can run in the background and cause unnecessary battery drain. Social media, fitness tracking, navigation and messaging apps often refresh even when you’re not actively using them. 

Head to your phone’s battery settings to see which apps are using the most power and adjust their permissions. Limiting background refresh, location access and push notifications for apps you don’t rely on can reduce drain without having any impact on your everyday use. 

Most of us will end up with apps we no longer use, but they still run in the background and use data. 

Games and streaming apps are often among the biggest power users, especially if they send frequent notifications or sync data in the background. A digital clear-out can free up your device and put less strain on your battery.

Battery management works slightly differently depending on your operating system, but the principles are the same: reduce unnecessary activity, avoid heat and use built-in optimisation tools. 

How to extend your iPhone battery life: 

• Low Power Mode 

• Optimised Battery Charging  

• Background App Refresh settings 

For the best Android battery life, keep an eye on:  

• Adaptive Battery 

• App usage restrictions 

• Battery Saver schedules 

While good habits make a big difference, your model still matters. Buying a mobile phone with great battery life can mean larger batteries or more efficient processors, giving them the upper hand in battery performance and longevity from the start. 

If you’re in the market for your next handset, newer models often combine high-capacity batteries with software features that adapt to your usage.  

Samsung’s latest devices are designed to balance performance and efficiency, helping power last longer throughout the day. 

Phones like the Samsung Galaxy S26 are built with battery optimisation in mind, combining an efficient processor with adaptive power management – ideal if battery life is a top priority. 

Extending your phone’s battery life is all about a few smart habits – charging thoughtfully, managing background apps and keeping your phone clutter-free. 

With the right balance of settings, care and everyday habits, your phone’s battery can stay healthier for longer.