There are only a few things as disheartening as a battery that can’t hold a charge. The anxiety of never knowing when your phone will die, plus the everyday inconvenience of dragging a charger or power bank around, is simply frustrating.
The truth of the matter is that you might be having problems with your battery as we speak; maybe you’re even plugged into a power bank right now.
The importance of having a good battery cannot be overstated, especially in terms of peace of mind. So, in this article, I’m going to show you how to fix common battery problems using a few quick, easy steps that can significantly extend your battery’s life, both now and in the long run.
What Does “Battery Health” Actually Mean?
Battery health basically talks about the relationship between the battery’s capacity now and when it was still brand new. That is, how much charge your phone can still hold compared to when you first bought it.
For iPhone users, you can easily check your battery health in your settings by going to
Newer Android phones (excluding Samsung) are beginning to include easy access to battery health info in the settings, but for older ones, you’ll have to rely on estimates from third-party apps.
Do note that battery health decreases naturally over time, plus how you use your battery also affects it.
Common Reasons Battery Health Drops Quickly
Now let’s talk about some of the common reasons why the battery health of your device might suffer:
Bad Charging Habits
- Charging to 100% regularly / constantly topping up: this places considerable stress on the battery.
- Using non-certified or cheap chargers/cables: It goes without saying that some of these chargers and cables are incapable of supplying your phone’s needs properly and lack safety features that protect battery health.
- Letting your phone stay at 100% or 0% for too long places a strain on the battery.
Heat & Temperature Stress
- Charging or using your device in hot environments will accelerate battery degradation in the long run.
- Exposure to extreme ambient temperature—too hot or too cold—can damage battery capacity.
Software Issues/Bugs
- If you are using an outdated OS or you have buggy apps running in the background, they are sure to consume energy and, in the long run, affect your battery capacity.
Aging Battery / Use Cycles
- Over time, even well-used batteries degrade simply due to charge cycles.
- A high number of deep discharge cycles (0% > 100%) accelerates wear.
How to Slow Down Battery Health Degradation
Now that you know what makes your battery’s health degrade faster, here’s how you can help your battery out and extend its lifespan.
Adopt Better Charging Habits
- For a longer and better battery life, we recommend keeping your device’s charge between 20% and 80%.
- Please use certified quality chargers and cables.
- To reduce heat, avoid charging while using demanding applications; allow it to charge while at rest.
Manage Heat
- To protect your phone, try to avoid leaving it in very hot places, such as closed cars or direct sunlight.
- If you notice your phone tends to heat up frequently, it might be helpful to remove its case during charging.
Limit Background Activity
- We also recommend turning off ‘Background App Refresh’ for apps that do not require frequent updates.
- It would also be beneficial to disable unnecessary location services, Bluetooth, or auto-sync when they are not in active use.
Use Power Saving/Low Power Modes
- For iPhone users, try enabling the Low Power Mode to reduce power draw when the battery is low.
- You could also make use of similar battery saver/optimization modes on Android to minimize stress.
Keep Software Updated
- Software updates are important, as they often contain bug fixes and optimizations for your device. So, try to ensure that you are always on the latest update.
Store and Charge Smartly
- If you don’t plan to use the phone for a while, store it at ~50% battery (not full, not dead).
- Use built-in features or third-party charging limit tools if available to cap max charge (some phones allow you to limit charge to 80%).
When to Consider Replacing the Battery
Now, with that said, let’s talk about when you should start considering a battery replacement.
Randomly Shuts Down
If your phone has random shutdowns or if you can no longer trust the readings on your phone, then that’s your phone begging you for a change of battery.
Check Battery Cycle Count
If you can, check your battery cycle count to see how many cycles it has gone through. Cycle count helps you determine its lifespan, so depending on how many yours has gone through, it might need a replacement. Check your manufacturer’s rating to know how many cycles your specific phone’s battery is good for.
Dies Quickly
If your phone’s battery no longer lasts long enough for you to go through your daily activities or dies unbearably fast, then it’s due for a replacement.
Battery Swelling
Although this is an extreme case, if you notice your battery swelling or becoming puffed, then you need to replace it as soon as possible. You’re at risk of a fire or even an explosion.
Preventive Habits to Maintain Health Long-Term
- Utilize a case that minimizes heat retention.
- You should also refrain from unnecessary fast charging cycles when speed is not essential.
- Monitor battery usage from settings and close or uninstall battery-hungry apps.
- Practice “gentle charging” when possible, not always pushing full cycles.
Conclusion
Battery health drop or depletion is something that every smartphone has to undergo at some point in time. Although it is inevitable, it is very manageable, and doing the right things can protect your battery health and make it last longer.
FAQs on Battery Health Depreciation
- Why does battery health drop faster on my phone than I expected?
Battery health can decline more quickly due to repeated full charge cycles (0–100%), high operating temperatures, poor charging habits, or heavy background activity. The quality of the charger and frequent use of fast charging also contribute.
- Can changing how I charge my phone really improve its battery health long-term?
Yes. Keeping your battery between ~20% and ~80% most of the time helps reduce stress on the battery cells. Using certified chargers and avoiding heavy device usage while charging can also slow down degradation.
- Does temperature really affect battery health?
- Absolutely. Exposing your phone to high temperatures (like being in a hot car or under direct sunlight) accelerates battery aging. Very cold environments can also temporarily reduce performance and damage the battery long-term.
- What should I do if my battery health is already low (e.g., below 80%)?
If your battery health is significantly degraded, consider getting the battery replaced by a certified technician. Before that, you can maximize the remaining lifespan by adopting good charging habits, minimizing heat, and using power-saving modes.
- Do software updates help with battery longevity?
Yes. Many OS and app updates include battery optimizations, bug fixes, and power management improvements. Keeping your phone updated helps it run more efficiently and can reduce unnecessary battery drain.