6 Signs Your Phone Battery Needs Replacing (and When to Worry)

Phone batteries do not last forever. Every charge and discharge wears them down a little, and after a couple of years of daily use most batteries simply do not hold up like they used to. The good news is that a battery replacement can make an older phone feel much more usable again.

Here are six signs it may be time, starting with the one you should never ignore.

1. The battery is swelling

This is the most important sign on the list, because it is a safety issue.

A swollen battery pushes outward against the inside of the phone. You might notice:

• The screen lifting away from the frame, or a gap along one edge
• The back glass or back cover bulging or cracking on its own
• The phone rocking when you set it on a flat table
• A screen that suddenly has pressure marks or touch problems

If you think your battery is swelling, stop using and charging the phone. Do not press on it, try to flatten it, or puncture it. Keep it away from heat and anything flammable, set it on a hard, non-flammable surface, and bring it in as soon as you can. A swollen lithium battery can catch fire if it is damaged, so this is one repair not to put off.

2. It drains much faster than it used to

If you used to finish the day with charge to spare and now you are hunting for an outlet by lunch, your battery has likely lost much of its capacity. A heavy day of navigation or video will drain any phone, but a steady decline over months on a normal routine usually points to an aging battery.

3. The phone shuts off with charge left

A phone that powers off at a reading like 20 or 30 percent, especially in cold weather or when you open the camera, is a classic sign of a worn battery. The battery can no longer deliver enough power when the phone asks for it, so the phone shuts down to protect itself.

4. It is slow, especially under load

Some phones reduce performance to prevent unexpected shutdowns when the battery is worn. If your phone feels sluggish opening apps or taking photos, and it is a couple of years old, the battery may be part of the reason.

5. It gets unusually hot

Phones get warm while charging or during heavy use. That is normal. But if your phone gets uncomfortably hot doing light tasks, or gets hot while charging overnight, have it checked. Heat can be a symptom of a failing battery, and it also speeds up battery wear.

6. Your phone tells you

Many phones include a battery health screen.

• iPhone: Go to Settings, then Battery, then Battery Health (on some models, Battery Health and Charging). A message that service is recommended, or a much-reduced maximum capacity, is a good hint.
• Android: Options vary by brand. Samsung phones often include battery information in the Device Care or Battery section of Settings, and some other models show battery health in their settings or diagnostics apps.

These readings are a helpful guide, but they are not the whole story. We can test the battery directly during a free diagnosis.

Before you blame the battery

A few things can make a healthy battery look bad. Before booking a replacement, try:

1. Checking battery usage in Settings to see whether one app is draining power in the background.
2. Updating the phone's software, since updates sometimes fix battery bugs.
3. Lowering screen brightness and turning off features you do not use.
4. Restarting the phone, which clears stuck processes.

If none of that helps, the battery is very likely the culprit.

Habits that help a new battery last

Once your battery is replaced, a few easy habits keep it healthy longer:

• Avoid leaving the phone in a hot car. Georgia summers are tough on batteries, and a dashboard in July is about the worst place a phone can sit.
• Use good-quality cables and chargers.
• Do not worry about charging to 100 percent every time; topping up during the day is fine.
• Remove thick cases if the phone gets hot while charging.

Need a hand?

If your phone is showing any of these signs, bring it to Alpha Computers at 4280 Hickory Flat Hwy in Canton. We replace batteries in iPhone, Samsung, Google Pixel, Motorola and LG phones, and we will test your battery first so you know it really is the problem. All repairs include our 1-year warranty and No Fix – No Fee promise. If your battery is swelling, please call us right away at 678-899-6800. Otherwise, request a free quote or read more about our phone repair services.