The Android operating system is turning the mobile communications and
PDA world on its head by offering features, functionality and an open
architecture that threatens to blow away everything else on the market. However, many of the features available on Android devices can cause batteries to become drained very quickly. Because of this, users of Android devices must intelligently and
proactively manage the energy in their batteries. The power-saving
options presented here can be used as you wish; all at the same time,
individually or in any desired combination.
Step 1.
Ask your phone what is using the largest percentages of power. (Settings » About phone » Battery use)
If you ask Android what's using what percentage of available battery
power, it will tell you. The vast majority of the time the biggest power
hog is the display.
Step 2.
Tell the device to only use 2G networks. (Settings » Wireless controls » Mobile networks » Use only 2G networks)
If you do not need access to high speed data, or there is no 3G network
where you live, you can tell Android to only use 2G mobile networks.
You will still have access to EDGE network data and WiFi if needed.
Step 3.
Reduce the brightness of your display. (Settings » Sound & Display » Brightness)
Most people can see an Android display quite well with the backlighting
feature turned off. Move the slider all the way to the left, then try
using the device that way. If you can't see it well in that setting,
move the slider to the right only as far as necessary to view the
display comfortably.
Step 4.
If your device has an AMOLED screen, always use a black background.
AMOLED screens can reduce power usage sevenfold by displaying black
instead of white or any other color. When searching on your phone you
can also use Black Google Mobile at bGoog.com to get standard Google
results (including images) all in black.
Step 5.
Set your screen timeout to the shortest length possible. (Settings » Sound & display » Screen timeout)
This setting tells the device to turn off the screen after the selected
period of inactivity. The shorter the period, the less power your
display will use. The setting options vary from phone to phone.
Step 6.
Turn off the wireless feature when not needed. (Settings » Wireless controls » WiFi,
or get the Wireless Settings free app) The wireless networking
transmitter uses quite a bit of power. Even when the device is not
connected to a network, it will continue to search for one on a regular
basis.
Step 7.
Turn off the Bluetooth feature when not needed. (Settings » Wireless controls » Bluetooth) For the same reasons as you should turn off WiFi, turn off the Bluetooth feature if you are not using it.
Step 8.
Turn off the GPS. (Settings » Security & location » Enable GPS satellites)
When the GPS receiver in your Android device is active it looks for
satellites, and its processor prepares information to be sent to any
application that needs it, regardless of whether an application that
uses the GPS is running or not. If you are not navigating, turn off GPS
and let the device use whatever alternative location services your
wireless network provider may offer.
Step 9.
Use the Power Control widget. (Home screen » Menu » Add » Widgets » Power control)
As of Android 1.6, there is a widget that you can place on any one of
your home screens that gives you quick control buttons for WiFi,
Bluetooth, GPS, Push sync, and screen brightness (three levels). Use
this to control your settings and turn them off to save battery power,
as stated above. This is a nice easy shortcut.
Step 10.
Turn off the phone vibration function. (Settings » Sound & display » Phone vibrate)
The tiny device inside your phone that generates the vibration uses
power every time it is activated. Alternatively, set the ringer volume
all the way off, past the Vibrate setting.
Step 11.
Do not leave applications running when you don't need them. Close them and return to the home screen.
Step 12.
Put your phone on standby mode when you are not using it. Simply press the red "End call" key and the display will darken. Press it again and it will light up.
Step 13.
Put the device in "Airplane Mode" while on an airline flight.
Press and hold the "End call" key until a menu is displayed. Select the
mode to turn off your phone's transmitter. This will allow you to use
the phone while in flight. Of course, if you don't plan to use the
phone, turning it off completely by selecting "Power off" is the
ultimate power saving tip! To power on the device, press the "End call"
key.
Step 14.
When traveling, take your charger as well as a USB cable with you.
Most airports offer free charging devices or power outlets, but some
may only offer a USB port to charge your phone. Many airliners also have
power ports somewhere near your seat that you can use to charge your
device during the flight, either while in "Airplane Mode" or while you
are using the in-flight wireless service on flights where it is
available.
Step 15.
Install a power management app on your device. There
are several apps in the Android Market that specialize on managing power
on Android devices. Most do this by controlling the activation and
deactivation of systems on the device that consume power, such as the
radio, screen, data and GPS. Some allow you to select how aggressively
the app will control power. Search for "power manager" on the Android
Market for some examples.
Source : wikihow.com
