I changed 10 settings on my Android smartwatch to drastically improve battery life

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

Google’s Put on OS has had a resurgence over the previous few years because of watches just like the Galaxy Watch, OnePlus Watch 2, and the corporate’s personal Pixel Watch line. From engaging designs to improved efficiency and software program capabilities, they’re a few of the best Android-powered smartwatches ever.

Additionally: The best smartwatches you can buy: Expert tested

However you realize what’s nonetheless a problem for a lot of of those gadgets? Battery life. OnePlus could have cracked the code for multi-day battery life on a Put on OS system, however the identical cannot be stated for many wearables in the marketplace. For those who personal a Put on OS watch, likelihood is it is advisable to cost it at the least as soon as a day, which might be fairly inconvenient you probably have a day of heavy use.

You could be questioning how one can lengthen the every day endurance of your watch’s battery. Fortunately, there are a number of methods to eke out further juice in the course of the day so your Put on OS system does not die earlier than dinnertime. Beneath, we break down the ten handiest methods to avoid wasting your Put on OS watch’s battery life. They apply to all current Put on OS fashions, so that you should not have problem utilizing them.

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1. Flip off the always-on show

One of many largest culprits for poor battery life on Put on OS watches is the always-on show. For some purpose, corporations proceed to say this function solely drains your battery marginally in the course of the day. However in actuality, that is by no means the case. The always-on show might be the distinction between your watch lasting all day and dying earlier than you get house within the afternoon. Whereas it is one of the handy options to have enabled in your watch, it is best to show this feature off if you want the additional juice.

: In your watch, swipe down from the highest of the display, then faucet the gear icon to entry Settings. From there, scroll all the way down to Show, then faucet “At all times-on show”. You may then have the choice to show it off. Comply with the identical steps to show it again on.

2. Swap to a watch face with much less problems

Galaxy Watch 6
Jason Hiner/ZDNET

Your watch face is a good software for expressing your model and including utility to make your Put on OS system as useful as attainable at a look. However you probably have too many data-reliant problems (we’re speaking three to 5), your watch will pull new information within the background and use extra vitality. If you wish to lower energy consumption, you may want one thing less complicated with simply a few problems.

Additionally: Google Pixel Watch 2 review: In one key area, it surpasses every other smartwatch

: Faucet and maintain on to your watch face to convey up the customization menu. You’ll be able to then swipe between completely different preset faces and make adjustments to current faces you have configured to take away issues like data-hungry widgets. It is also good to maintain the colour scheme a bit less complicated.

3. Use computerized display brightness

In case your Put on OS watch’s show is just too dim, chances are you’ll end up cranking it manner up so you possibly can see it within the daylight. The issue is that when you hold the display at max brightness on a regular basis, you may use extra battery than you would possibly notice. A simple solution to get round this situation is to make use of auto-brightness. Now your watch will dim when you do not want as a lot brightness to see.

: Swipe down from the highest of the show to entry fast settings, then faucet the solar icon to view your brightness settings. From there, you may have the choice to show up or down the show brightness and to allow “Auto brightness”. On some watches just like the Galaxy Watch 6, chances are you’ll have to go to the Settings app and go to the Show part to seek out the toggle to activate “Adaptive brightness”, which does the identical factor.

4. Eliminate power-hungry apps

Whenever you set up an app in your telephone, it is commonplace for it to mechanically set up in your watch. This method is a handy manner to make sure the setup in your telephone is mirrored in your watch. However when you do not use apps in your watch and rely strictly on notifications, it is time to cull them. Not solely do the apps eat up the small quantity of storage in your Put on OS system, however they will additionally drain your battery if you aren’t trying.

: In your Put on OS watch, entry the apps listing by urgent the facility button as soon as. Then, faucet on the Play Retailer. From there, swipe down from the highest of the show to seek out the “My Apps” button. You may be introduced with an inventory of all of the apps you could have put in in your watch. Discover the one you need to eliminate, faucet on it, then scroll to the underside and faucet “Uninstall”.

5. Disable “Hey Google” detection

Google Pixel Watch Settings - October Event 2022
Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Having the comfort of a voice assistant in your wrist is nice for rapidly getting issues finished, and it is much more useful when you possibly can merely elevate your wrist and start to speak. However as you would possibly assume, retaining “Hey Google” detection turned on could make your Put on OS watch’s battery drain fairly rapidly because it’s continuously utilizing the microphone, ready for these magic phrases to be spoken. Fortunately, it is simple to show this function off.

: Swipe down in your watch’s show, then faucet the gear icon to entry Settings. Then, go to the “Google” part and scroll down to seek out “Assistant”. Faucet on that choice and you will be introduced with the choice to disable “Hey Google” detection.

6. Scale back display timeout time

Whenever you elevate your wrist to examine your watch, the display will keep on for a while after you are finished. Ideally, you need your show to dim as quickly as your wrist falls again to your facet, however when you’ve observed your battery draining greater than typical, it could possibly be as a result of your display stays on for too lengthy. This is the right way to modify how lengthy it stays on.

Additionally: I changed 10 settings on my Android phone to drastically improve battery life

: Swipe down on the display and faucet the gear icon to go to Settings. Then, scroll all the way down to Show > Display timeout and select both 15 seconds or 10 seconds. That manner, your display will flip off a lot sooner and save your battery.

7. Scale back what number of notifications you get

By default, your Put on OS watch is configured to ship each notification you get in your telephone to your wrist. That method can change into overwhelming with fixed dings and buzzes from social media apps. The notifications can even result in extreme battery drain. All these dings and buzzes take vitality and a straightforward solution to repair that’s by limiting notifications despatched to your watch.

: In your watch, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Notifications and select “Present All” to see the total listing of apps presently sending notifications. Then, faucet on the app you need to silence and flick the toggle. You may now not obtain the notifications from that app in your watch, however they’re going to proceed to be despatched to your telephone so you are not utterly out of the loop.

8. Flip off location and Wi-Fi when you do not want them

OnePlus Watch 2 Charger
Kerry Wan/ZDNET

Put on OS watches hook up with the web by your telephone, counting on sensors and specs to tug information and data. When your telephone is not in attain, your watch makes use of its Wi-Fi and GPS to maintain you related. Nevertheless, when you are inclined to have your telephone close to you more often than not, there is no actual purpose to maintain your Wi-Fi or location settings enabled in your watch, and turning them off if you aren’t utilizing them is a straightforward manner to avoid wasting further battery.

: To show off Wi-Fi, go to Settings > Connectivity > Wi-Fi and flick the toggle. To disable location companies and GPS, head to Settings > Location and switch off “Use location”. You’ll be able to observe the identical steps to allow both function in a while.

9. Disable tilt-to-wake

It is a little bit of a last-resort choice, but it surely’s a superb one nonetheless. To your Put on OS watch to point out the time if you elevate your wrist, it wants to make use of a sequence of sensors to detect your wrist’s motion. With extreme or unintentional use all through the day, this function can result in extreme energy consumption and depart you with so much much less juice. If you wish to see whether or not altering this setting will prevent any battery life (customers have reported each no battery financial savings and elevated battery life relying on the watch they personal), this is the right way to flip the function off.

Additionally: Regret buying your smartwatch? Try these 8 tips before you ditch it

: In your watch, go to the Settings app and scroll all the way down to “Gestures”. From there, you may discover a toggle to disable tilt-to-wake. To avoid wasting much more battery life and keep away from unintentionally waking the system up, you may also disable contact to wake, however you may have to then depend on urgent the crown to get up the display.

10. Use power-saving mode

In fact, the obvious factor to do to avoid wasting your Put on OS battery life is to allow power-saving mode. The title can fluctuate relying on the watch you personal, but it surely’ll do the identical factor: flip off sure options within the background, dim the display, cut back animations, and decelerate efficiency sufficient to eke out extra juice out of your battery. It is a fantastic mode if you’re in a pinch and want your watch to final you the rest of your day, or you probably have an extended day forward and want one of the best battery life you may get.

: In your watch, go to Settings > Battery to allow “Battery saver”. It may be known as “Energy saving” when you personal a Galaxy Watch, but it surely’ll carry out the identical capabilities.

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