Easy way to Stop Cell Standby From Draining Your Smartphone Battery
If you discover that the “Cell standby” is consuming a significant portion of your smartphone’s battery, it can be concerning. “Cell standby” refers to the power consumed by your device when it is connected to the cellular network but not actively being used for calls, data, or other network-related activities. While it’s normal for “Cell standby” to consume some battery, excessive battery drain could indicate an issue that needs attention.
One of the main factors contributing to smartphone battery drain is cell standby, which many users find to be extremely problematic. It is simply abnormal that the battery will continue to drain even when the phone is not in your hand.
What is cell standby?
Cell standby refers to the state of a mobile device’s cellular radio when it is not actively being used to make or receive phone calls or transmit data. When the device is in standby mode, the cellular radio is still powered on and connected to the mobile network, but it consumes relatively little power compared to when it is actively transmitting or receiving data.
The purpose of cell standby is to ensure that the device can receive calls and notifications even when it is not actively being used. However, if the device is in an area with a weak signal or the cellular network is congested, the device may consume more power while in standby mode as it continuously searches for a better signal.
How Cell Standby can Drain up your Smartphone Battery
- Poor signal strength: If the mobile device is in an area with a weak cellular signal, the device may consume more power as it continuously searches for a better signal. This can drain the battery faster.
- Network congestion: In areas with high network congestion, the mobile device may consume more power while in standby mode as it struggles to maintain a connection to the mobile network.
- Background processes: Some apps and processes on the mobile device may continue to use the cellular radio even when the device is in standby mode, which can drain the battery.
- Outdated software: Outdated software on the device, including the operating system and apps, may cause battery drain issues, including in Cell Standby mode.
- Hardware issues: In some cases, hardware issues such as a faulty antenna or battery can cause excessive battery drain in Cell Standby mode.
Various Methods to Stop Cell Standby From Draining Your Smartphone Battery
- Open the dialer and enter *#*#4636#*#*
- Click on Phone information
- Find a set preferred network type, and choose the one that suits you. I changed mine from TD-SCDMA, GSM/WCDMA, and LTE to LTE/WCDMA
- Reboot the phone and the cell standby battery draining issue is gone.
Method 2: Turn off WiFi in sleep mode
Do you make use of Wi-Fi? If so, it’s crucial to modify the wifi settings to ensure that they turn off when the phone is not in use or asleep. Here is how to do it:
- Go to settings > WLAN > Advanced settings > Keep Wi-Fi on during sleep > select “Never”.
- In the same menu, you can turn off “Always allow scanning” and “Network notification”.
Method 3: Switch SMS Messaging app
For some people, this technique works like a charm. Your SMS messaging app only needs to be changed from 3 parties to the default messaging app. Your phone’s battery drain issue will be resolved if you switch back to the default Messages app if you use Hangout, (FB) Messenger, or any other app. To do this, navigate to your SMS settings.
Other ways to maximize phone battery
To minimize battery drain in Cell Standby mode, you can try the following:
- Keep the device updated with the latest software updates.
- Ensure that the mobile device is in an area with good cellular signal strength.
- Avoid using apps that constantly use cellular radio, especially in areas with a weak signal.
- Use the battery-saver mode on the device to limit background processes and conserve battery.
- If the battery drain issue persists, you may need to replace the battery or seek assistance from a qualified technician.
At least one or two of the various methods mentioned above will undoubtedly be effective for you. Please share your experience with us via comments.