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How To Guides

Ways to Improve the Health of Your Smartphone’s Battery in 2025

Ways to Improve the Health of Your Smartphone's Battery in 2025

Ways to Improve the Health of Your Smartphone’s Battery in 2025

Smartphones have reached a level of processing power that is higher than ever before, yet one of the primary worries for customers is still the amount of time their batteries last. Even while modern electronics make use of sophisticated lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries that are equipped with smart charging mechanisms, the lifespan of these devices may still be shortened by unhealthy habits. It will be critical to understand how to preserve the health of your phone’s battery in the year 2025 if you want to get the most of your device, given that they will have high refresh rate screens, artificial intelligence functions, and continuous communication.

1. Gain an Understanding of the Functioning of Contemporary Batteries

The majority of smartphones that are available today make use of lithium-based batteries. These batteries gradually lose their ability to function as a result of chemical processes that take place inside their cells. They do not have a “memory effect” as earlier nickel batteries do, which is a disadvantage for such batteries. Having said that, severe charging patterns, heat, and misuse continue to diminish capacity.

2. Refrain from Full Discharges

It is damaging to allow your phone to run out of battery on a frequent basis. When lithium batteries are maintained between 20% and 80% of their capacity, they have a longer lifespan. Even if the battery will not be completely destroyed by the odd full discharge, allowing it to become a regular occurrence can hasten the process of wear and tear.

3. Avoid Charging Too Much Overnight

Even though current-day phones are equipped with precautions against overcharging, maintaining your device at a hundred percent charge for an extended period of time might cause a rise in temperature and put the battery under stress. When it is completely charged, disconnect it if you can, or take use of features like “Optimized Charging,” which stops charging when it reaches 80% till you wake up.

4. Manage the Amount of Heat Exposure

When it comes to maintaining the health of batteries, heat is the most formidable foe. Leaving your phone in direct sunlight, filming videos, or playing video games for an extended period of time may cause temps to rise over the safe threshold. Although cold conditions are less dangerous, they may cause transient performance decreases.

If your phone becomes hot while it is charging, you should take it out of its case. In addition, you should not use wireless chargers that produce an excessive amount of heat.

5. Make Use of Smart Charging Features

The majority of smartphones released in 2025 have charging optimization that is based on artificial intelligence, which learns your schedule and adjusts the charging pace accordingly. There are even a few gadgets that have battery bypass mode, which sends power straight to the phone when it is being used for gaming, therefore decreasing the amount of stress placed on the battery.

Recommendation: In order to benefit from automated protection, enable these options in the settings.

6. Only Use Chargers of High Quality

It is possible for your phone to be damaged by chargers that are inexpensive or that do not have certification due to the fact that they are capable of providing irregular voltage. It is essential that you always use either the original charger or a certified replacement that is compatible with the fast-charging specifications of your device.

7. Reduce the Amount of Background Drain

Applications that continue to function in the background not only use power, but they also compel users to charge their devices more often. When you are on the road or over long days, you may utilize power conservation settings. Additionally, you could disable background refresh for applications that do not need continual updates.

8. Keep Features That Require a Lot of Power Under Control

A substantial amount of power is used by features like as 5G connection, GPS, screens that are constantly on, and high refresh rate displays (120Hz or above). In order to minimize the amount of stress that is put on the battery, make advantage of variable refresh rates and turn off GPS or Bluetooth whenever they are not being used.

9. Make Sure That You Update Your Software

Improvements to battery management are often included in system upgrades. Users of both iOS and Android will be able to take advantage of upgrades in 2025 that include artificial intelligence (AI)-driven power management, which will minimize resource utilization depending on your behaviors.

10. Refrain from charging wirelessly too often.

Although wireless charging is handy, it produces more heat than charging with a cable. Using it every once in a while is acceptable, but counting on it on a daily basis could possibly lead to more rapid deterioration than charging methods that are wired and cooler.

11. For Increased Longevity, Make Use of Partial Charging

If you expect to use your phone for a number of years, you should charge it in smaller sessions rather than all the way to 100%. The battery life of your device may be extended if you recharge it numerous times on a daily basis, even if it is just from forty to seventy percent.

12. When necessary, replace the battery.

Over time, all batteries will lose capacity, regardless of how well they are cared for. The vast majority of smartphones in 2025 will be compatible with battery replacement, which will be available via approved repair facilities. The performance of your gadget may be restored and its life span can be extended by replacing the battery every two to three years.

In conclusion, the most important aspect of the process of making a decision is the ability to gather and evaluate information.

When it comes to improving the health of smartphone batteries in 2025, the key factors are the development of smart charging habits, the control of temperature, and the use of charging capabilities that are incorporated into artificial intelligence (AI). Maintaining the longevity of your phone and its ability to operate at its best may be achieved by avoiding extremes in charge levels, heat, and power-hungry use. If you take proper care of your equipment, the battery will continue to function well for many years after you have first started using it.

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How To Guides

How to Improve Slow Boot Times in Windows 11

How to Improve Slow Boot Times in Windows 11

How to Improve Slow Boot Times in Windows 11

When a computer running Windows 11 is fresh new, it should start up really rapidly. However, as time goes on, many users have seen a progressive decrease in the speed of the starting process. The presence of too many applications running in the background, drivers that are out of date, or settings that are incorrectly configured are all potential causes of slow startup times. Fortunately, there are practical ways that may restore your PC’s performance without needing a complete rebuild of Windows.

1. Examine the Applications That Launch at Startup

There are a number of apps that are set to begin automatically when the computer starts up, even if you do not need them at that moment. Each of these contributes additional seconds to the amount of time it takes for your boot process to complete.

Repair:

  • To launch Task Manager, simultaneously press the Ctrl, Shift, and Esc keys.
  • Navigate to the tab that is labeled “Startup apps.”
  • Deactivate any applications that have a “High impact” rating yet are not necessary.

2. Activate Quick Startup

The Windows operating system has a function called Fast Startup, which combines the processes of hibernation and shutdown in order to speed up system loading.

Repair:

  • Go to Power Options, which is in the Control Panel.
  • Click on the option that says, “Choose what the power buttons do.”
  • Under the shutdown options, make sure that rapid startup is turned on.

3. Make sure that Windows and Drivers are up to date

Delays that occur during the boot process may be attributed to out-of-date drivers and system files.

Repair:

  • Make sure that you have installed the most recent updates by navigating to Settings → Windows Update.
  • Be sure to visit the website of your hardware manufacturer to get the most recent drivers, particularly for graphics cards and storage devices.

4. Perform a scan for malicious software

By executing processes that are not visible, malicious software has the ability to slow down the time it takes to start up.

Repair:

  • With Windows Security or another antivirus program that you trust, do a complete system scan.
  • Eliminate any risks that have been identified and then restart your system.

5. Make Disk Space Available

Windows may have difficulty starting up in an effective manner if the amount of free space on your hard disk is close to nothing.

Repair:

  • Get rid of temporary files by going to Settings, then System, then Storage.
  • You may use Storage Sense to automate the cleaning process.
  • Think about transferring huge files to external storage devices or to the cloud.

6. Turn off any services that are not required

There are some Windows services that are configured to start automatically regardless of whether or not you ever make use of them.

Repair:

  • First, launch the System Configuration window by pressing the Windows key and the R key at the same time, typing “msconfig,” and then pressing Enter.
  • In order to prevent the deactivation of services that are essential to the system, you should go to the Services tab and choose the “Hide Microsoft services” option.
  • Disable all third-party services that are not required.

7. Make Use of Task Scheduler to Optimize Startup

There are certain tasks that are set to begin as soon as the computer starts up, which causes the process to take longer.

Repair:

  • From the Start menu, open Task Scheduler.
  • Seek out any tasks that are activated “At startup” and deactivate any of those that are not absolutely necessary.

8. Either defragment or optimize your drive.

If you are using a conventional hard disk (HDD), the process of starting up your computer may take longer due to fragmentation. Solid-state drives (SSDs) do not need defragmentation, yet they might still benefit from optimization.

Repair:

  • From the Start menu, choose the option to open Defragment and Optimize Drives.
  • Choose the drive you want to use and then click on the Optimize button.

9. Make the transition to a solid-state drive (SSD)

If your computer is still using an HDD, switching to an SSD is the single most effective way to improve startup times. It is possible to reduce the amount of time it takes to start up a computer from minutes to seconds by using a solid-state drive (SSD).

10. Make Changes to the Virtual Memory Settings

Performance might be adversely affected by incorrect configuration of virtual memory settings.

Repair:

  • To access the Advanced tab, go to Open System Properties → Advanced → Performance Settings.
  • When you are in the Virtual Memory section, you should either choose the “Automatically manage paging file size” option or manually choose a size that is suggested for you.

11. As a last resort, reinstall or reset Windows.

Your Windows installation can be damaged if none of the solutions are effective.

Repair:

  • Navigate to Settings, then System, then finally Recovery.
  • In order to reinstall Windows without losing any of your personal data, click “Keep my files” after choosing “Reset this PC.”

In conclusion, the most important aspect of the process of making a decision is the ability to gather and evaluate information.

Although slow start times in Windows 11 are irritating, they can often be resolved by using simple solutions. Often, performance that is quick may be restored by deactivating starting applications that are not required, ensuring that your system is up to date, and doing a cleanup on your disk. For those who have outdated hardware, the biggest significant gain in performance may be achieved by upgrading to an SSD. You may experience a faster and more seamless Windows 11 starting process by putting these procedures into action.

Categories
Photoshop

A Comprehensive Guide to Achieving Mastery with Layer Masks

A Comprehensive Guide to Achieving Mastery with Layer Masks

A Comprehensive Guide to Achieving Mastery with Layer Masks

Of all the non-destructive tools available in the toolkit of any pixel editor, layer masks are the most significant. They allow you to conceal, reveal, blend, and refine portions of layers without permanently removing pixels, which means you can experiment freely, correct errors quickly, and create complex composites that remain completely editable. In this article, you will learn the fundamental principles of layer masking, as well as the methods that expert retouchers use. In addition, you will find practical exercises that will allow you to internalize the process.

Why it is important to stack masks

Grayscale values are used by a layer mask to manage the transparency of its layer, with white being used to disclose, black being used to hide, and gray shades being used to provide partial transparency. Since the mask is stored on the mask itself rather than on the pixels that it affects, you have the ability to switch it on and off, alter it, or delete it at any moment. This method makes iterative work far safer and quicker than deleting or permanently cutting pixels since it retains the original picture data.

Non-destructive editing explained: layer masks vs deleting

While masks simply conceal pixels, erasing them removes them entirely. When you delete anything, you limit your future possibilities. For instance, if you remove a small detail from your hair, there is no way for you to restore it two hours later. Masks make it possible to paint back details, feather edges, or reverse the selection in an instant. Regard masks as reversible “soft erasers” that you have the ability to shape via the use of gradients, selects, and brushes.

Step-by-step instructions on how to make and comprehend simple masks

Choose the layer that you want to conceal with a mask.

If you want to make a white mask that shows everything, you should click the “Add layer mask” option, which is often represented by a rectangle with a circle within it. Alternatively, you may choose “Hide All,” which will produce a black mask that hides everything.

By using Alt/Option and clicking on the mask thumbnail, you may examine the mask itself. If you want to return to the regular view, you can press Alt/Option and click on the thumbnail again.

You may load the mask as a selection by clicking the mask thumbnail while holding down the Ctrl or Cmd key. This is helpful when you are trying to refine the mask.

Make the mask active before pressing Ctrl/Cmd-I in order to invert it (white → black, black → white).
You may use these fundamentals to begin concealing and exposing sections of a layer while maintaining the integrity of the original.

Painting masks: brushes, opacity, and flow

The most straightforward and adaptable method of improving what is seen is to paint on a mask using black, white, and gray. This involves setting the foreground color to black in order to conceal, white in order to disclose, and mid-gray in order to achieve partial opacity. When you want a smooth transition, use the Brush tool (B) with soft edges; when you want sharp edges, use a hard brush. You can change the size of the brush with the [ and ] keys, and you can change the hardness of the brush with the Shift+[ or Shift+] keys. Opacity determines the overall strength of the paint, and flow governs how the paint builds up when you hold the brush over an area. Use a lower flow for masking that is slow and buildable. Don’t forget that you may return the colors to black and white by pressing the D key, and you can also switch them by using the X key.

masks that are based on selection and refining

Selections provide you with a quick and accurate beginning: make use of the marquee, lasso, or selection tools to create the first region. After that, you can transform that selection into a mask by clicking the Add Layer Mask button. In order to smooth, feather, shift the edge, and get rid of color fringing, utilize the “Select and Mask” (or Refine Edge) workspace for hair, foliage, or other soft edges. Output the result straight to a Layer Mask so that you may continue to modify it in the future. In order to isolate highlights, midtones, or shadows, and then generate a mask from that selection, you may try going to Select > Color Range. This is a good option for complicated tonal choices.

Characteristics of feathering, density, and masks

Masks contain characteristics that are unique to them. For example, feathering softens the border of the mask, resulting in a more gradual transition. Density decreases the overall opacity of the mask, which allows you to fade its impact without having to repaint it. Additionally, feathering and contrast may be used to sharpen a soft mask in a controlled manner. If you want to make rapid adjustments to the edge character of a mask, you may do so by changing these parameters in the Properties panel. When composites are being used, a little bit of feather frequently results in a more natural-looking composite than a flawlessly hard cut.

Utilizing masks that include adjustment layers and clipping masks

Because adjustment layers are usually accompanied with a mask by default, they are an excellent choice for local repairs. In order to conceal the adjustment from regions that need to stay unaltered, paint the adjustment mask black. Clipping masks are helpful for directing color grading or sharpening to a single topic without impacting the backdrop since they confine a layer or adjustment to the non-transparent pixels of the layer underneath. In order to make a clipping mask, you should position the adjustment layer above the target layer and then choose “Create Clipping Mask.” You also have the option of grouping layers together and then adding a group mask to effect everything within the group all at once.

Shape-based masking and vector masks

Vector masks are best suited for situations in which you want mathematically correct masks, logos, or clean forms, since they use paths rather than pixels to produce borders that are sharp and resolution-independent. If you want an edge that is precisely scalable, create a path with either the Pen tool or the Shape tool, and then transform that path into a vector mask. When you want both smooth, photographic transitions and exact edges, you may mix vector masks with pixel masks.

Luminosity masks and channel trickery are two examples of advanced approaches.

Using tonal values as selects, luminosity masks allow you to precisely target highlights, midtones, or shadows. To do so, open the Channels panel, Ctrl/Cmd-click the RGB thumbnail to load luminosity as a selection, and then apply a mask to the current layer. You may improve those choices by preserving channels, deleting or crossing them, and developing complex masks that react to tonal connections. This is a crucial skill for advanced dodging, burning, and selective contrast work.

Realistic composites need masking, which involves color matching, edges, and shadows.

A believable composite needs a decent cutout, but it also takes more than that: Apply adjustment layers that are clipped to subject layers in order to match the contrast and color temperature. Make use of mild feathering and decontamination treatments on the borders in order to eliminate halos. Reconstruct shadows that are missing by painting a soft, low-opacity black onto a new layer below the subject and then blurring it to your liking. In order to ensure that the texture and noise are consistent across the layers, the foreground element should be given a little amount of grain or noise, and a tiny blur should be applied to the edges wherever there are variances in depth of field.

Advice on how to improve workflow, shortcuts, and troubleshooting

Maintain the masks’ ability to be edited by waiting to use Apply Layer Mask until you are quite certain, since this action is irreversible.

By holding down Alt or Option while clicking and dragging the mask thumbnail to a different layer, you may create copies of the mask.

If you want to move the layer apart from the mask, you may do so by unlinking the mask from its layer. This can be accomplished by clicking on the chain symbol that is situated between the thumbnails.

By shift-clicking on the thumbnail of a mask, you may temporarily disable it. To re-enable the mask, do the same action again.

If a mask seems to be inverted, you may rectify it by using Ctrl/Cmd-I.

In order to neutralize edges, paint with sampled backdrop colors at a low opacity or make use of Select and Mask → Decontaminate Colors if you see any fringes or color contamination.

If the paint shows on the picture instead of the mask, you will need to ensure that the mask thumbnail is now active. You will know it is active when it has a frame around it.
These little habits help to expedite your productivity while also preventing typical mistakes from occurring.

Exercises for practice to develop mastery

Sky Replacement: Utilize the Select and Mask tool to choose the sky, then create a mask. After that, put a new sky layer underneath the existing layer, and then combine the two with a feathered gradient mask that spans the horizon. Complete the process by harmonizing the color and light with clipped Curves and a little vignette.

Portrait hair refinement: Begin by making a preliminary selection of the subject, then use Select and Mask to refine the hair and make a mask. After that, build a new layer beneath the subject and paint a soft shadow on it, and then match the backdrop texture with noise.

Local dodge and burn: produce a fifty percent gray layer that is set to Overlay, then create a layer mask and use a soft black brush at a low opacity to paint on the mask; this will show luminous dodging and burning that has been painted directly on the gray layer.
Every single workout is geared toward a practical end and assists you in combining choices, painting, and alterations into a genuine product.

In conclusion, the most important aspect of the process of making a decision is the ability to gather and evaluate information.

The cornerstone of professional and versatile picture editing is the use of layer masks. Layer masks enable you to make decisions that can be reversed, combine selections and painting, and generate composite images that can be tweaked for an infinite amount of time. Deliberate practice is the key to achieving proficiency. Begin with the fundamentals, which include creating, painting, and inverting, and then go on to investigating selection refinement tools. Once you are comfortable with them, you may begin to use luminosity masks, group masks, and combined vector/pixel processes. If you embrace the non-destructive approach and master the few shortcuts that can speed up your work, you will discover that layer masking will rapidly become second nature to you. Layer masking is the one skill that most substantially enhances the quality and dependability of your changes.