How to Save Battery Power on an Android
The Android operating system is turning the mobile communications and PDA world on its head by offering features, functionality and an open architecture that threatens to blow away everything else on the market. However, many of the features available on Android devices can cause batteries to become drained very quickly. Because of this, users of Android devices must intelligently and proactively manage the energy in their batteries. The power-saving options presented here can be used as you wish; all at the same time, individually or in any desired combination.
Part 1 of 5: Checking what uses the most power
1 Ask your phone what is using the largest percentages of power. (Settings » About phone » Battery use) If you ask Android what's using what percentage of available battery power, it will tell you. The vast majority of the time the biggest power hog is the display.
- Also check Settings-> Applications -> Running Services. Here you'll find a lot of services with their RAM usage on the right hand side. Select such services as "software update", "email" and services not used by you. An option appears highlighted that will say "stop". Select it to end that particular app. This decreases RAM usage and extends the battery life.
Part 2 of 5: Reducing power draw downs from connections
1 Tell the device to only use 2G networks. (Settings » Wireless controls » Mobile networks » Use only 2G networks) If you do not need access to high speed data, or there is no 3G or 4G network where you live, you can tell Android to only use 2G mobile networks. You will still have access to EDGE network data and WiFi if needed.
2 Turn off the wireless feature when not needed. (Settings » Wireless controls » WiFi, or get the Wireless Settings free app) The wireless networking transmitter uses quite a bit of power. Even when the device is not connected to a network, it will continue to search for one on a regular basis.
3 Turn off the Bluetooth feature when not needed. (Settings » Wireless controls » Bluetooth) For the same reasons as you should turn off WiFi, turn off the Bluetooth feature if you are not using it.
4 Turn off the GPS. (Settings » Security & location » Enable GPS satellites) When the GPS receiver in your Android device is active it looks for satellites, and its processor prepares information to be sent to any application that needs it, regardless of whether an application that uses the GPS is running or not. If you are not navigating, turn off GPS and let the device use whatever alternative location services your wireless network provider may offer.
Part 3 of 5: Reducing display power
1 Reduce the brightness of your display. (Settings » Sound & Display » Brightness) Most people can see an Android display quite well with the backlighting feature turned off. Move the slider all the way to the left, then try using the device that way. If you can't see it well in that setting, move the slider to the right only as far as necessary to view the display comfortably. Alternatively, Auto brightness coupled with power saving mode (found on most Samsung, LG, Sony, and some Motorola devices) will conservatively adjust the display to the surroundings to only the brightness necessary.
2 If your device has an AMOLED screen, always use a black background.AMOLED screens can reduce power usage sevenfold by displaying black instead of white or any other color. When searching on your phone you can also use Black Google Mobile at bGoog.com to get standard Google results (including images) all in black
3 Set your screen timeout to the shortest length possible. (Settings » Sound & display » Screen timeout) This setting tells the device to turn off the screen after the selected period of inactivity. The shorter the period, the less power your display will use. The setting options vary from phone to phone.
Part 4 of 5: Changing other features
1 Use the Power Control widget. (Home screen » Menu » Add » Widgets » Power control) As of Android 1.6, there is a widget that you can place on any one of your home screens that gives you quick control buttons for WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, Push sync, and screen brightness (three levels). Use this to control your settings and turn them off to save battery power, as stated above. This is a nice easy shortcut.
2 Turn off the phone vibration function. If your device is running Android 4.0 or higher, press the volume down button until your phone goes in to vibrate. Press it once more to turn vibration off. If you have Android 2.2 or higher, go to Settings » Sound & display » Phone vibrate. The tiny device inside your phone that generates the vibration uses power every time it is activated.
3 If you have Android 2.3 or above, Install a power management app on your device. There are several apps in the Google Play Store that specialize on managing power on Android devices. Most do this by controlling the activation and deactivation of systems on the device that consume power, such as the radio, screen, data and GPS. Some allow you to select how aggressively the app will control power. Search for "power manager" on the Google Play Store for some examples. If your device is running Android 4.0 or higher, press the "Recent Apps" button, then slide each app left or right until it disappears. If you don't have a recent apps button, try holding the home button.
4 Do not leave applications running when you don't need them. Close them and return to the home screen.
5 Put your phone on standby mode when you are not using it. Simply press the power button and the display will darken. Press it again and it will light up.
Part 5 of 5: Traveling
1 Put the device in "Airplane Mode" while on an airline flight. Press and hold the power button until a menu is displayed. Select the mode to turn off your phone's transmitter. This will allow you to use the phone while in flight. Of course, if you don't plan to use the phone, turning it off completely by selecting "Power off" is the ultimate power saving tip! To power on the device, press and hold the power button.
2 When traveling, take your charger as well as a USB cable with you. Most airports offer free charging devices or power outlets, but some may only offer a USB port to charge your phone.
- Many airliners also have power ports somewhere near your seat that you can use to charge your device during the flight, either while in "Airplane Mode" or while you are using the in-flight wireless service on flights where it is available. Plane seat power ports (when they are available) are limited to a certain voltage output and are configured to stop working if you exceed this during flight. Some airlines have concerns that charging lithium batteries in-flight could lead to thermal runaway. It's best to check with your airline before you fly.
Tips
- Spare batteries for Android devices can be found at good prices from aftermarket sources as well as from re sellers on sites such as eBay. Your wireless provider may also occasionally offer specials on original equipment batteries. Carry one with you and keep it charged.
Warnings
- If you have Android 4.0 or higher, installing task managing apps from the Play store will DRAIN more battery than they will save. Stay away from these and instead simply use the built in task manager (Last step)
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