Heatwave hacks: Phone battery tips

Is your phone dying faster than usual? Summer temperatures can be brutal on phone batteries, and the worst place to leave your phone is inside a hot car. When it's just 80 degrees outside, the temperature inside a closed car can rise to over 100 degrees within 20 minutes.

Temperature extremes can damage your battery

According to Apple, temperatures below 32°F and above 95°F can permanently affect your phone’s lithium battery.

Tips to prolong battery life

To keep your phone battery healthy, consider these tips:

• Lower screen brightness

• Use Wi-Fi instead of cellular data

• Turn off location services when not needed

• Close unnecessary apps

• Use low power mode

Charging habits matter

How you charge your phone can have a significant impact on battery life. Letting your phone drain all day and then charging it overnight is not a good idea. Batteries experience more stress when they drop close to zero and then need to be fully recharged.

For increased battery longevity, experts suggest keeping your battery level between 30% and 80% as much as possible. This may mean charging your phone off and on throughout the day rather than letting it deplete completely.

Need expert help?

For professional assistance, look for BBB Accredited and trusted phone repair services at bbb.org. Protect yourself and your money, and explore more of my advice through podcasts, videos, and articles at joeknowsbetter.bbbcommunity.org.

I’m Joe Ducey with the Better Business Bureau, helping consumers and businesses get it right.