How To Extend The Android Device Battery Life

If your battery keeps running out, here's how to make your phone or tablet run for days on a single charge.

Android mobiles may be wonderful portable powerhouse that put a huge choice of apps and tools in your pocket, but all that computing can take its toll on their battery life. Checking your email, making calls, playing games and browsing the internet all use up valuable power, and even just having the mobile or tablet on standby means that the battery is slowly draining.

Fortunately, Android comes with built-in settings that can be toggled to preserve battery life, and which can be customized to particular scenarios. Going for a long walk? Then turn off everything but GPS to track your route via Endomondo. About to go to bed? Turn off sync, so you're not woken by the inevitable 2a, Group-on email. There are many other settings, too, and here we'll show you how to make the most of them.

Extend Your Battery Life

1. Power Control : Android's build in power control widget is the first step to more better life. It's included with all version of Android, and it enables you to turn settings on or off. To get it, long-press on the home screen, then choose 'Widgets' followed by 'Power Control'. You need a long, clear space on your home screen to install it.

2. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth : To the left of the Power Control strip you'll see the Wi-fi icon turn this off when you're away from a Wi-fi hotspot and you'll save a huge amount of power. We also need to think about Bluetooth, which wireless connects to computers, car stereos and speakers. Turn it off you're not using it.

3. GPS and Brightness : GPS is handy when you want to use Google Maps and location services. But it uses a lot of power and should turned off when not in use. Reducing your screen's brightness stops your display draining the battery, and some mobiles can set the brightness automatically to suit the ambient lighting.

4. Sync : Sync means that the device constantly contacts Google's servers to download new emails, contact, calendar entries and other background information. It uses a lot of power and you can safely turn it off for a while - anything that isn't downloaded will appears on your phone when it's turned back on.

5. 2G Networks : 2G networks are noticeable slower than 3G, but 3G uses more power. You can switch to a 2G network by choosing 'Settings' then 'Wireless and networks' followed by 'Mobile network'. Check the box marked 'Use only 2G network' to activate it. You'll still be able to make calls and send texts.

6. JuiceDefender : JuiceDefender is a handy app that switches off certain settings when they're not in use. Download it from here and install it, then run it and choose 'Enabled under Status'. Deactivate the app if you're downloading a lot of data, because it might stop connectivity when your phone switches to standby.

7. Battery Use : To find out exactly what's eating your battery, chose 'Settings', then 'About Phone' and 'Battery Use'. Here you'll see a list of the applications and tools that are using the most power. Some of these functions can be selected to forced to stop. Which will save you a little more precious power in the future.

8. Got the power : Next time your device is running low on power, or there's nowhere available to plug in your charger, you'll know exactly what you can turn on and off to make the battery last a little longer. The above tips are also handy for other situation, such as when you go away on holiday and want to avoid using too much data.