Busting battery myths: does closing apps on your phone save battery life?

In the quest to preserve battery life on our smartphones, many of us have been led to believe that manually closing apps is the key to saving precious battery power. Time to bust that myth.
Luke Hopewell · 13 May 2024 · 5 minute read

Let's delve into the intricacies of app closure and its impact on battery life, uncovering the real factors that contribute to battery drain on your mobile device.

What drains your phone battery the most?

Before we explore the myth surrounding app closure, it's essential to understand what truly drains your phone's battery the most. While activities like streaming videos and gaming can certainly deplete your battery, the screen itself often emerges as the biggest culprit. Let's delve into the various factors that influence battery drain, from screen brightness to background app activity.

Busting the myth: you don’t need to close your apps

The belief that manually closing apps can significantly extend battery life stems from a misunderstanding of how modern smartphones manage app activity.

Enter "tombstoning", or app suspension: a feature employed by most modern operating systems to put apps into a deep sleep state when not actively in use.

But does forcefully closing apps offer any tangible benefits, or is it merely a placebo effect?

The truth is, the real power-saving magic lies in the efficiency of app design and operating system optimisations. Manufacturers have implemented sophisticated mechanisms to intelligently manage app activity in the background, minimizsng their impact on battery life without requiring manual intervention.

Manually closing apps may not offer significant benefits in terms of battery conservation, there are proactive steps you can take to optimise battery life that are way better.

Check out our tips below. Tap each section to expand.

How to save your battery life

Lowering the brightness of your phone's screen can significantly reduce battery consumption. Consider manually adjusting the brightness level or enabling auto-brightness settings to automatically adjust the screen brightness based on ambient light conditions.

Many apps continue to run in the background, consuming valuable resources and draining your battery. To mitigate this, regularly review and disable background refresh or location services for apps that don't require them. You can also force-stop apps that you're not actively using to prevent them from running unnecessarily.

Most smartphones offer power-saving modes or battery optimisation features that help conserve battery life. These modes typically adjust various settings, such as CPU performance, screen brightness, and background activity, to minimise power consumption. Enable power-saving mode when your battery is running low or for prolonged periods without access to a charger.

Manufacturers often release software updates that include battery optimization improvements and bug fixes. By keeping your device's software up to date, you ensure that you benefit from the latest enhancements designed to maximise battery life. Regularly check for and install software updates to optimize battery performance on your phone.

By Luke Hopewell

Editor, tech expert and Senior Specialist Writer at Telstra Exchange

Luke Hopewell is an editor, tech expert and Senior Specialist Writer at Telstra Exchange. Luke joined Telstra in 2019 where he has had the privilege to help bring stories to life in a unique and human way. He was previously the head of editorial at Twitter Australia and the editor of cult tech site Gizmodo. For over a decade, Luke’s passion for technology has always driven him to seek out the latest gadgets and game-changers, and help others to understand how it all works. In another life he was a cyber security specialist where he sought to educate people about how to stay safe online. When he's not writing, he's getting outdoors and patting all the nice dogs he meets.