Does your phone’s battery seem to die quicker than it used to? As you might know, smartphone batteries—whether iPhone or Android—degrade over time. That's why knowing how to keep a phone battery healthy is no longer just a nice-to-know—it's essential for modern life.

While lithium-ion batteries, the kind most phones use, aren’t designed to last forever, you can adopt some smart habits to keep your battery healthy and extend its lifespan. Let’s dive into the practical tips you can use to get the most out of your phone's battery.

In this article:

• How to Keep A Phone Battery Healthy: Long-term Care Tips
• How to Keep Your Phone Battery Healthy: Daily Use Tips
• Conclusion: Keep Your Phone Battery Healthy for the Long Haul
• Frequently Asked Questions

Let’s get started!

How to Keep A Phone Battery Healthy: Long-term Care Tips

Here are the top 10 best practices to maximize its health and lifespan:

1. Keep Your Battery Between 20% and 80%

To learn how to keep your phone battery healthy, you first need to avoid charging it to 100% or letting it drain to 0% frequently. Keeping your phone's battery between 20% and 80% is a simple yet effective way to maintain its health.

Why This Matters 

Lithium-ion batteries (the most common battery type in smartphones) are rated for about 500 to 1,000 charge cycles. A charge cycle occurs when you charge your phone from 0% to 100%. By keeping your phone between 20% and 80%, you reduce the number of full charge cycles, helping your battery last longer and keeping it healthy.

2. Charge Regularly and Enable Battery Care

Instead of waiting until your battery hits 0%, try to charge your phone when it reaches around 20-30%. This reduces strain on the battery and promotes better longevity.

Optimized Charging Features to Extend Battery Life

Many modern smartphones offer features like Optimized Charging or Battery Care to help protect your phone's battery. These features typically stop charging the battery at around 80% and then resume charging closer to 100% only when your phone predicts you'll need a full charge—like right before you wake up if you charge overnight.

This reduces the time your battery spends at full capacity, which can slow down its degradation over time. To take full advantage of battery care features and keep your phone battery healthy, here's how to enable optimized charging:

• iPhone: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging, then toggle on Optimized Battery Charging.
• Android: Check Settings > Battery or use the manufacturer’s app (e.g., Battery Care for Sony, Adaptive Battery for Samsung).

3. Use Power-Saving Modes

Both Android and iPhone offer built-in power-saving modes that can help maximize battery life when you're running low. These modes reduce your phone's background activity, dim the screen, and limit other battery-draining processes. While it's not something you should rely on all the time, it’s a handy feature when you're in a pinch.

• iPhone: You can turn on Low Power Mode by going to the Control Center and tapping the battery icon.
• Android: On most Android devices, go to Settings > Battery > Power Saving to activate the feature.

By using these modes, your phone will continue to function while consuming less power, allowing you to squeeze out a little more time before you need to recharge.

4. Avoid Overheating and Extreme Temperatures

Heat is a major enemy of your phone’s battery. Charging in high temperatures or leaving your phone in a hot car can cause the battery to degrade quickly. On the other hand, extremely cold temperatures can drain your battery faster and even cause it to temporarily lose power. Knowing how to keep a phone battery healthy means keeping your device cool and avoiding excessive heat exposure.

Ideal Temperature for Charging

Room temperature (around 68°F/20°C) is best for both using and charging your phone. Excess heat can lead to faster battery wear, while extreme cold can cause your battery to drain faster.

Tips for Preventing Overheating

• Use an insulated case to protect your phone from extreme temperatures.
• Unplug your phone immediately if it gets too hot during charging.
• Avoid leaving your phone in a hot car or near direct sunlight.

5. Use the Right Charger

Not all chargers are created equal. Using third-party or low-quality chargers may provide inconsistent voltage, which can negatively impact your battery’s health over time. One way how to keep your phone battery healthy is to stick to the charger that came with your phone or use a reputable third-party brand that matches your phone’s charging specifications.

6. Don’t Overuse Fast Charging

Fast charging is incredibly convenient, but using it all the time can cause unnecessary strain on your battery. Fast chargers generate more heat, which can accelerate battery wear. It’s okay to use fast charging when you need it, but for regular charging, stick to the standard charging speed. Over time, this will help your battery stay in better shape.

7. Avoid Using Your Phone While Charging

Using your phone for intensive tasks—like gaming or streaming videos—while it’s charging is a surefire way to overwork the battery and generate excess heat. This puts extra stress on your phone's battery and internal components. If possible, let your phone charge before using it for demanding tasks, or avoid heavy usage while it’s plugged in.

8. Limit Background Apps and Disable Unnecessary Features

Did you know that your phone might be draining battery in the background without you even realizing it? Apps like Google Assistant, system intelligence services, and other background processes can consume a surprising amount of power. Disabling or limiting apps you don’t use frequently can help preserve battery life.

Additionally, make sure to turn off features like keyboard vibrations or haptic feedback, which also drain the battery, even if it’s just a little bit at a time.

9. Keep Your Phone Updated

Software updates often come with bug fixes and optimizations that can improve battery performance. If your phone is running outdated software, it might experience unnecessary battery drain due to software glitches or inefficient power management. Keeping your phone’s operating system up to date is a crucial part of learning how to keep your phone battery healthy. So, be sure to keep your phone’s operating system up to date to take advantage of any improvements that could help your battery last longer.

10. Store Your Phone Properly When Not in Use

If you’re planning to store your phone for an extended period, make sure to charge it to about 50% before putting it away. Storing a phone with a completely full or empty battery can lead to long-term damage. A 50% charge is ideal because it prevents the battery from over-discharging and preserves its capacity.

How to Keep Your Phone Battery Healthy: Daily Use Tips

Here are some quick and effective tips you can use right now to make your battery last longer:

• Lower Brightness: Reducing screen brightness can give you extra hours of usage. Auto-brightness is your friend!
• Set a Shorter Timeout: Set the screen to turn off after 30 seconds of inactivity to avoid unnecessary drain.
• Use Dark Mode: If your phone has an OLED or AMOLED screen, dark mode can save a noticeable amount of power.
• Close High-Drain Apps: Apps like Snapchat or Instagram can drain power even when idle. Close them if you’re not actively using them.
• Disable Background App Refresh: Stop apps from refreshing data in the background unless absolutely necessary.
• Turn On Low Power Mode: When you hit 20-30%, enable this feature to extend battery life.
• Airplane Mode in Poor Signal Areas: Save power when your phone struggles to connect by switching to airplane mode temporarily.
• Turn Off Unused Features: Bluetooth, GPS, and Wi-Fi drain power when idle. Disable them until needed.
• Use Wi-Fi Instead of Mobile Data: Wi-Fi is more energy-efficient, so connect whenever possible.
• Keep Your Phone Cool: Avoid placing your phone in hot environments like direct sunlight or near heaters. Heat reduces battery performance over time.

Conclusion: Keep Your Phone Battery Healthy for the Long Haul

Maintaining your phone’s battery health is simpler than it seems. By keeping the charge between 20% and 80%, avoiding overheating, and using optimized charging features, you can prevent premature battery degradation, reduce the need for frequent charging, and help your device perform at its best.

By following these simple steps, you’ll know exactly how to keep a phone battery healthy and enjoy better performance for longer. Make these habits a part of your routine, and you’ll be on your way to maximizing your phone’s battery lifespan. Happy charging!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does charging 100% reduce battery life?

Yes, charging to 100% all the time does reduce battery life because it puts more strain on the battery, leading to a decrease in its holding capacity over time. To keep a phone battery healthy, it's best to charge between 20% and 80%, which reduces strain and slows down degradation. 

Less stress on the battery equals less degradation and a longer-lasting battery. Many smartphones also offer optimized charging features that stop at 80% and finish the charge closer to 100% when needed, helping preserve battery health.

Here's how to enable optimized charging:

• For iPhone users: Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging, then toggle on Optimized Battery Charging.
• For Android users: Check Settings > Battery or use the manufacturer’s app (e.g., Battery Care for Sony, Adaptive Battery for Samsung).

What kills the phone battery most?

Excessive app usage and poor charging habits are the main factors that reduce your phone's battery life. High-power apps like games, video players, and social media drain the battery quickly, while charging to 100% too often strains the battery and causes it to degrade faster. Heat exposure from using the phone in hot conditions or while charging also accelerates battery wear.

To extend your phone's battery life, manage app usage, avoid frequent overcharging, and keep your device cool.

How do I keep my battery 100% healthy?

To keep your phone battery as healthy as possible, follow these key habits:

1. Charge Between 20% and 80%: Avoid charging to 100% or letting it drop to 0% regularly. Keeping it within this range reduces strain on the battery, helping to extend its lifespan.
2. Enable Battery Care/Optimized Charging: This feature helps reduce time spent at full charge by stopping at around 80% and completing the charge closer to when you'll need it.
3. Avoid Heat Exposure: Keep your phone in cool environments and avoid charging it while using power-hungry apps, as heat accelerates battery wear.
4. Limit High-Usage Apps: Apps like games, video players, and social media consume more battery. Try limiting their use or restrict them from running in the background.
5. Turn Off Unnecessary Features: Disable keyboard sounds, vibrations, and reduce screen brightness or use adaptive brightness for more efficient battery use.
6. Use Power-Saving Features: Use your phone’s built-in battery saver or adaptive battery features to optimize power usage, especially during low-battery situations.

By following these tips, you reduce stress on your battery, slow down degradation, and keep it performing at its best for longer.

Related Articles

Power Bank Lifespan: How to Maximize Performance & Longevity

How to Make Your Phone Battery Last Longer: Battery-Saving Tips

Wireless Charger Overheat: Can It Explode? Causes & Safety Tips