Making your data and battery last

Phone Skills for Work5 min readText and drawings only

Running out of data on the 20th, or out of battery an hour before an employer calls, costs people real opportunities. These settings cost nothing and buy you days.

Tap what you did today and see the data it used.

Total: 0 MB

  • Under 20 MB: Almost nothing. This is what job hunting actually costs.
  • Under 200 MB: Video is now most of your usage.
  • Above that: Autoplay is eating your month. Turn it off below.

Job hunting uses almost no data. Video uses nearly all of it. The two settings worth changing today are autoplay in your social apps, and auto-update for apps, which should be set to update only on wi-fi.

Turn on your data warning too. Your phone can tell you when you have used a set amount, so the month never ends in a surprise.

What drains your battery, most first Screen brightness Video and maps Apps left open Email Turn Battery Saver on early, not at 5 percent. It works better with more left.
What actually drains a battery, in order.
How do I make my battery last until an interview call?

Turn the screen brightness down, close apps you are not using, and turn on Battery Saver early rather than at 5 percent. Screen brightness is the biggest drain on almost every phone. If you are travelling to an interview, put the phone in your bag on Battery Saver rather than scrolling on the taxi.

Free wi-fi: is it safe?

For reading job adverts and Academy lessons, yes. Avoid banking or entering card details on public wi-fi. Use it for the heavy things: downloading, updating apps, and sending large files. Libraries, some malls and many municipal buildings have free wi-fi.

Before you move on

  • Turn off video autoplay in your social apps
  • Set app updates to wi-fi only
  • Set a data warning for the month

Check what you know

3 questions. Have a look at what this lesson asks.

1. What uses the most data on a typical phone?

2. You have an interview call expected in two hours and 30 percent battery. Best action?

3. You are on free public wi-fi. What should you avoid?

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