My phone had around 20% battery the last time I used it, but it was completely dead when I came home even though I hadn't been using it. After plugging it in, it turned on almost immediately and showed 10% instead of starting near 1%. Is there anything I can try to fix this? I can't afford a repair right now.
3 Answers
Before paying for anything, check whether an app is draining the battery while the phone is idle. On most phones, open Settings, go to Battery or Battery Usage, and review which apps used the most power recently. Remove or restrict anything unusually high, especially apps running in the background.
A portable charger can help as a temporary workaround. Keep one with you and avoid letting the phone reach zero, but this won’t repair the underlying problem. If the battery is swollen, the phone gets very hot, or the screen starts lifting, stop using and charging it.
That usually points to a worn-out or failing battery. You can try charging it uninterrupted to 100% and leaving it plugged in for another hour, but if it keeps shutting down with plenty of percentage left, the battery will probably need replacement. The price depends on the phone model; a replacement battery and, for water-resistant phones, a new sealing adhesive may be needed.
If you replace it yourself, look up a repair guide specifically for your exact model first. Some phones are difficult to open, and damaging the battery can be dangerous.
If no app is using an unusually large amount and the phone still drops from about 20% to dead, that makes a failing battery more likely.