Is your iPhone or Android struggling to make it to dinner time? At Advanced Computers, our technicians see hundreds of devices every month for battery issues. While many users assume they need a hardware replacement, often the culprit is “software bloat” or outdated settings.
Before you book a repair, follow this professional checklist to maximize your device’s cycle life and daily performance.
1. Identify the “Power Vampires”
Don’t guess—check the data.
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iOS: Settings > Battery > Battery Usage by App.
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Android: Settings > Battery > Battery Usage. Look for apps with high “Background Activity.” If a social media app is using 20% of your battery while you aren’t even using it, it’s time to restrict its permissions.
2. Leverage Dark Mode (OLED Only)
Most modern smartphones (iPhone 12 and newer, Samsung S-Series) use OLED screens. Unlike older LCDs, OLED pixels physically turn off to display black. Switching to System-Wide Dark Mode can reduce display power consumption by up to 30%.
3. Stop “Force-Closing” Your Apps
Pro Tech Tip: One of the biggest myths is that closing apps saves battery. On modern iOS and Android systems, frozen background apps use zero CPU. Force-closing them actually drains more battery because the phone must use a burst of power to reload the entire app into RAM next time you open it. Leave them alone.
4. Optimize “Always-On” Displays
If you have an iPhone 14 Pro or a newer Samsung/Pixel, your screen is technically always on. While convenient, this contributes to a 1–2% drain per hour. Turn off the “Wallpaper” toggle in your Always-On settings to keep the screen black, or disable it entirely for maximum longevity.
5. Manage High Refresh Rates (120Hz)
High-end phones feature “ProMotion” or 120Hz displays for smooth scrolling. This requires more GPU power. If you’re on a long trip, go to Display Settings and cap your refresh rate at 60Hz to significantly extend your uptime.
6. Fine-Tune Location Services
Many apps (Retailers, Food Delivery, Weather) track your GPS even when you aren’t using them.
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Change app permissions to “While Using the App” instead of “Always.”
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This prevents the GPS antenna from constantly “pinging” satellites, which is a major heat and power generator.
7. Check Your 5G Signal Strength
5G is fast, but in areas with weak coverage, your phone will “crank up” the power to the internal modem to stay connected. If you see your signal bar is low, switching to LTE/4G in your Cellular settings will keep the phone cooler and save significant battery.
8. Use “Optimized Battery Charging”
Heat is the enemy of lithium-ion. Enable Optimized Battery Charging (iOS) or Adaptive Charging (Android). This prevents the phone from sitting at 100% all night, which chemically ages the battery. Aim to keep your phone between 20% and 80% for long-term health.
9. Audit Your Widgets
Every widget on your home screen—weather, stocks, news—requires background data refreshes. If your home screen is cluttered with widgets you don’t look at, you are essentially running several mini-apps 24/7.
10. Recognize Chemical Aging
If your phone is 2+ years old and your “Battery Health” (found in Settings) is below 80%, software tips will only go so far. At this stage, the battery’s internal resistance has increased, leading to rapid drops and unexpected shutdowns.
When Should You Visit a Professional?
If your phone feels hot to the touch, the screen is lifting (a sign of a swollen battery), or it dies at 20% suddenly, you need a hardware intervention.
Advanced Computers provides expert battery replacements for Apple, Samsung, and Google devices using high-quality parts that meet or exceed OEM standards.
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North Shore: 7C Triton Drive, Rosedale | 09 444 8823
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Penrose: 67 Station Road, Penrose | 09 525 0240