“My battery was at 80 percent this morning, and now it’s at 15.” I hear this in almost every class at the library. If your phone battery draining fast is the problem, the good news is that the cause is usually something simple, and you don’t need to buy anything or install a “battery saver” app. Let’s take it one step at a time. These eight steps come from Apple’s and Google’s own support pages.
Step 1: Find out what’s using the battery
On iPhone
- Open Settings.
- Tap Battery.
- Look at the Daily Usage chart. Apple says it compares today’s use with the last seven days and flags apps that are using more power than usual.
On Android
- Open Settings.
- Tap Battery.
- Tap Battery usage and choose to view by apps. Google says that sometimes a specific app uses more battery than expected.
Menu names change a little between phone brands, like Samsung and Google Pixel. If you can’t find a setting, use the search bar at the top of Settings.
Step 2: Turn on Low Power Mode or Battery Saver
Apple says Low Power Mode reduces the amount of power your iPhone uses by reducing or turning off certain settings and features. You can find it under Settings, Battery, Power Mode. It turns off by itself when your iPhone charges to 80 percent or higher. On Android, look for Battery Saver or a similar name under Battery.
Step 3: Lower the screen’s appetite
The screen is often the biggest battery drain. Try these changes, which Google suggests for Pixel phones and which also help other phones:
- Turn on Adaptive brightness (or Auto-brightness) so the phone adjusts for you.
- Set a shorter screen timeout, so the screen turns off sooner.
- Try Dark theme, and turn off live wallpapers.
Step 4: Check your signal and Wi-Fi
Apple says Wi-Fi uses less battery power than cellular networks, and that a weak signal makes your phone work harder. If you’ll be without coverage for a while, use Airplane Mode. Turning it on stops searching for a signal.
Step 5: Control notifications and background activity
Apple notes that an app’s notifications can wake your device, so you can adjust them so it wakes less often. On Android, Google says you can change how each app runs in the background, and recommends keeping Optimized turned on for all apps. If one app is draining the battery, you can force stop it from its app settings. Don’t force stop or delete Google Play services.
Step 6: Restart and update
Restart your phone, then check for a software update. Apple says background update tasks can affect battery life for a while after an update. Google says it’s normal for a Pixel battery to drain a bit more than usual after a software update.
Step 7: Run an overnight test
Google suggests this simple test. Charge your phone to 100 percent, close your apps, leave the phone idle overnight, and check in the morning. If the battery dropped more than 10 percent, something is using it while you sleep. Go back to Step 1 and look at what’s using power.
Step 8: Check the battery’s health
Batteries wear out. On iPhone, open Settings, Battery, then Battery Health (it’s called Battery Health & Charging on iPhone 14 and earlier). Apple says if you see Service next to Battery Health, consider replacing the battery to restore full performance and capacity. On Pixel 6 and later, Google has Battery Diagnostics under Settings, Battery. If you see a question mark on the battery icon, take your phone to an authorized repair center.
Where to find each setting
| What you want | iPhone | Android (Pixel) |
|---|---|---|
| See which apps use the most battery | Settings, Battery, Daily Usage | Settings, Battery, Battery usage |
| Save power | Settings, Battery, Power Mode (Low Power Mode) | Settings, Battery, Battery Saver |
| Check battery health | Settings, Battery, Battery Health | Settings, Battery, Battery Diagnostics (Pixel 6 and later) |
Google also has a page with tips to get the most life from your Pixel battery, and Apple explains iPhone battery and performance.
If you get stuck
- Write down which step you tried and what happened
- Take your phone and charger to the store where you bought it, or to your carrier
- Back up your photos before any repair
- Use Apple Support or your phone maker’s support page for your exact model
- Ask a family member or a librarian to sit with you the first time
Free up some space while you’re at it: a full phone can also slow things down, and our guide on how to free up storage on your phone goes through it step by step. For more tips, browse our phone tips and our guides for seniors.
Frequently asked questions
Why did my battery drain faster after an update?
Apple and Google both say background tasks after an update can use extra battery for a short while. Restart the phone and check again in a day or two.
Is it bad to charge my phone overnight?
Modern phones stop charging when full, and many have settings to slow charging near 80 percent. Apple has pages on optimized battery charging if you want to learn more.
When should I replace my battery?
If your phone shuts down at a high percentage, or your battery health shows a service message, ask a repair shop or your phone maker.
Do battery saver apps work?
Your phone’s built-in settings do the same job. Many third-party battery apps use battery themselves, so skip them.
Quick summary
- Check Settings, then Battery, to see which app is using the most power.
- Turn on Low Power Mode or Battery Saver and shorten the screen timeout.
- Restart, update, and run an overnight test.
- If the battery is worn, replace it. Don’t pay for a booster app.
Try one step today and see how it goes. That’s it — you did it. Menus change with updates, so check Apple’s or Google’s support page for your exact phone.
