The website recode.net provides some tips for extending a charge on a smartphone, and in the process, the life of the battery, as well. Here are some highlights.

Dim the screen

For best results, disable auto-brightness and manually adjust the brightness level to the lowest setting that still allows you to view the contents of the screen comfortably.

Turn off unused radios

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and NFC are all great, and have their purpose, but unless you need a specific connection at that very moment, it’s best to turn them off. While it makes sense for navigation apps like Google Maps and Waze, you may not want it for geo-tagging photos in Instagram or noting your location when you tweet something.

Check your signal strength

Your smartphone’s battery drains more quickly when you have very little to no cellular connection. This is because the phone is constantly searching for a signal, which requires power. If a Wi-Fi network is available, connect to that.

Disable push notifications for nonessential apps

Turn off or don’t allow push notifications for non-vital apps.

Close apps when not in use

Close any open apps that you’re currently not using, since they may still be running in the background and consuming precious battery power. You can disable or restrict background data so that certain or all apps don’t run in the background. Here’s how:

  • On the iPhone, go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
  • On Android, go to Settings > Data Usage > Restrict background data.
  • On Windows Phone, go to the Data Sense app > Set limits.

    • Avoid exposing your phone to extreme temperatures

    Intense heat or cold can cause a chemical reaction in the lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones, resulting in a rapid loss of power.

    Use a battery-backup accessory

    There are numerous accessories you can get for your smartphone to extend its battery life. There are also cases and USB battery packs that can provide an extra charge on the go.

    (via: recode.net)

    (Photo: Instructibles.com: How I Built a Solar Powered iPhone Charger for Under $50.)

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