If your phone barely makes it to lunchtime, don't rush to buy a new one. Battery drain has a few common causes — work through these before deciding on a replacement.

1. Find the culprit app

Go to Settings → Battery and look at what's using the most power. Social media, navigation and games are common offenders. Disable background activity for apps you don't need running.

2. Tame your screen

The display is the single biggest battery drain. Lower brightness, turn on auto-brightness, and shorten the auto-lock time.

3. Update your software

A buggy iOS or Android update frequently causes sudden drain. Check for the latest version — a fix is often already out.

4. Check battery health

On iPhone, Settings → Battery → Battery Health. Below 80% capacity means the battery itself is worn — no setting will fix that.

When it's the battery

If your battery health is low, the phone shuts down unexpectedly, or the back is bulging, the battery needs replacing — and a DIY kit does it for a fraction of shop prices in 20–40 minutes.

Find your model-matched battery kit and get a full day of life back.