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For the longest time, the idea of battery-saving apps has appealed to users, whether it be for smartphones, tablets, or laptops. But as surprising as it may sound, they are not as useful as they're advertised to be. On the contrary, a battery-saving app can actually drain more battery. Or worse, the app could include malware designed to steal data from your device. So, why do so many people still install these?

Phones have come a long way, from gadgets that allowed calls and texts to feature-rich devices that can do almost everything. That came at a cost: poorer battery life. Most of us charge our phones every day, if not more frequently. Then came design changes like bigger screens and thinner bodies, adding to the problem.…