Originally published on the Inside BlackBerry Help blog
Using a BlackBerry 10 smartphone? Here are some tips that can help you maximize your smartphone’s battery life!
Check for BlackBerry 10 OS Updates
Whenever a BlackBerry 10 OS update is released, make sure you install it on your smartphone so that you can take advantage of optimizations that can help improve your battery life.
Typically, you’ll receive a notification of an update, but to manually check for updates, open Settings, tap Software Updates, and then Check for Updates.
Accounts
Whenever possible, we recommend you use Microsoft® ActiveSync®, or IMAP over POP, when you set up a new account because they are more efficient protocols for a mobile device. If you need assistance setting up a new account, use the Help app, review the User Guide located at http://docs.blackberry.com, or contact your service provider for more information.
If you set up multiple accounts that support email, contacts, and calendar synchronization, only enable synchronization for accounts that you plan on using; this ensures that only necessary activity occurs. To review account synchronization settings, tap Accounts within Settings, and then tap the account you want to customize or delete.
Device Monitor
Device Monitor, first introduced in BlackBerry 10 OS version 10.2, was updated with the release of BlackBerry 10 OS version 10.2.1. New screens were added that allow you to view key details around battery usage so you can easily identify apps that have a negative impact on your battery life. For example, you can view battery consumption by application since the last time you charged your device, or by the last 12, 24, or 48 hours.
When you select an item from the Device Monitor list, you can view additional details such as CPU, memory, mobile network, and Wi-Fi® usage statistics. You can also view applications you installed, the amount of space those apps take up, and you can delete applications.
Tip: For fast access, add Device Monitor to the BlackBerry 10 OS version 10.2.1 Quick Settings menu (Settings > Quick Settings).
Connections
The radios on your BlackBerry 10 smartphone are designed with efficiency in mind, so turning off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, or NFC as well as changing your cellular connection to use a different network technology may not improve battery life. We recommend using Wi-Fi whenever possible because it offers substantial power savings; so make sure you are actively adding Wi-Fi networks and hotspots to your smartphone as you come across them.
Note: If you’ve set up Media Sharing, considering turning off it temporarily if need to maximize your battery life (Settings > Media Sharing).
Charging
Your BlackBerry 10 smartphone is designed make efficient use of the battery; however, you should still follow best practices to maximize your battery’s lifespan. Always use an official BlackBerry® Charger, charge for an extended period of time when possible, avoid charging in small increments (for example, less than 15 minutes), and do not your leave smartphone in direct sunlight (for example, on your vehicle’s dashboard) or in extremely cold temperatures.
Notifications
If you receive a lot of notifications throughout the day, consider reviewing and customizing your notification profiles. If your smartphone is set to vibrate when notifications arrive, this uses more battery life than having the LED light up. If you receive a lot of notifications overnight as well, swipe down from the top of the screen after you lock your smartphone to enable Bedside Mode, which turns off all notifications overnight.
For help customizing your notification profiles, open the Help app on your device and search for “Change your sounds, notifications, or ring tones” or review the user guide for your device that you can find at http://docs.blackberry.com
Android Applications
Android apps may continue running when the display is off, and we recommend you close these apps when not in use. To do this, press X in the lower right when the app is minimized.
Run in Background Applications
Some of the apps offered in BlackBerry® World™ storefront contain permissions to run headless, which means that they can use the battery when the application is not opened with an Active Frame. These apps may reduce battery life, so you can optionally adjust the Run in Background permissions if desired.
To identify what apps have the ability to run in the background, and optionally turn off this permission on a per application basis, complete the following steps:
- While viewing your home screen swipe down from the top, and then tap Settings.
- Tap Security and Privacy, and then tap Application Permissions.
- Change the Permissions bar to Run in Background.
- Select an app from the listing, and then optionally turn off the Run in Background permission.
To uninstall an application, tap and hold the application icon while you view your home screen, followed by tapping the trashcan icon.
Tip: Device Monitor is an easy way to identify and remove applications that may be using a lot of battery life.
Review Application and Game Refresh Settings
It’s a good idea to review the refresh settings within your favorite third-party apps and games, as some of them might maintain active connections to services or data that is still being transferred. Refresh settings are typically found in the settings screen of an application so make sure you review these screens after you install a new application or game.
Screen Brightness and Dark Themes
A significant way to reduce battery usage is to decrease the brightness of the display. Within Settings, tap Display, and then move the Brightness slider to a reduced setting that you find comfortable.
If you are using a device with an OLED display such as a BlackBerry® Z30 smartphone or the BlackBerry® Q10 smartphone, consider using a dark theme, which results in lower battery consumption. You can find an option to enable a dark theme in BBM™, the Contacts app, and the Calendar in the settings screen for the respective apps.
Lock Screen
To prevent accidental taps and presses that can turn on your screen (and decrease battery life), lock the screen by pressing the Power/Lock key on the top of your smartphone before you place it into your pocket, purse, etc.
Screen Lock Timeout
In addition to pressing the Power/Lock key to lock your screen, you should customize the Screen Lock Timeout setting. This setting controls how long your smartphone waits after being left idle before turning off the screen. To adjust this value, go to Settings, tap Display and change the Screen Lock Timeout.
Use a Case or Holster
Depending on which of type case or holster you use, putting your device in it may or may not turn off the display. On top of protecting your smartphone, using a case that turns off the display is a great way to save battery life because the display is shut off as soon as you insert your device.
To browse a variety of these cases, visit http://www.shopblackberry.com or check the available cases provided by your local retailer(s).
Tip: If your screen does not turn off after you insert your device into the case or holster, verify that you are using an official BlackBerry accessory or contact the manufacturer for additional assistance.
