Android Battery Draining Fast? Try These Fixes

Common causes

• A downloaded app that uses too much battery
• Apps running while you’re not using them
• A bright screen that stays on for long periods
• Hotspots, GPS and streaming that keep you connected
• A phone that gets too hot
• A Pixel still working after a software update
• A new or reset Pixel that’s still optimizing its battery

Step-by-Step Solutions

Start with the first step and work down the list, checking your battery after each change.

1. 1

   Step 1: See which apps use the most battery

   Your phone’s battery usage screen shows whether one app is using more battery than expected.

   If your phone’s battery life seems poor or short, a downloaded app may be using too much battery. Sometimes a specific app can use more battery than expected.

   On a Pixel phone, open the Settings app, tap Battery, then Battery usage. To get battery usage by app, tap View by apps.

   On other Android phones, Android Help says to visit your device manufacturer’s support site to learn how to change these settings.

   Good to know

   On Pixel 6 and later, you can also open Settings, tap Battery, then Battery diagnostics, then Battery draining too quickly.

2. 2

   Step 2: Keep apps optimized in the background

   Apps with battery optimization turned off can run more while you’re not using them.

   If you turn off battery optimization for an app, that app can run more while you’re not using it, even when Adaptive Battery is on. This can use more battery than needed.

   On a Pixel phone, open Settings, tap Battery, then Battery usage, and tap View by apps. Tap the app, then Allow background usage. Google recommends keeping “Optimized” turned on for all apps. To review the battery usage settings for all your apps, open Settings, tap Apps, then App battery usage.

   If an app causes an abnormal battery drain on a Pixel, you’ll get a notification to optimize your battery usage.

   Good to know

   Battery optimization isn’t available for some essential services.

3. 3

   Step 3: Turn on Adaptive Battery

   With Adaptive Battery on, apps you use less often run less while you’re not using them.

   Android Help lists turning on adaptive battery as one of the settings that use less battery.

   On a Pixel phone, open Settings, tap Battery, then Battery Saver, then Adaptive Battery. Turn on Use Adaptive Battery if it’s turned off. This setting is on by default.

   To extend battery life, Adaptive Battery may reduce performance and delay notifications.

4. 4

   Step 4: Stop or remove an app that drains the battery

   If one app keeps using too much battery, you can force it to stop or uninstall it.

   On a Pixel phone, open Settings, tap Apps, then See all apps. Tap the app, then Force stop, then OK.

   If you force stop some essential apps or services, your phone won’t work correctly. Force stop isn’t available for all apps, and you can’t force stop or uninstall Google Play services.

   If the app still drains your battery, you can also uninstall it.

5. 5

   Step 5: Turn on Battery Saver

   Battery Saver helps a charge last longer by limiting background activity.

   Some Android phones come with a battery saver or low power mode. To find out if your phone has one, go to your device manufacturer’s support site.

   To turn it on, open the Settings app and tap Battery, then Battery Saver. You can choose a schedule for battery saver mode or automatically turn it off.

   When Battery Saver is on, it turns on Dark theme and limits or turns off background activity. Some visual effects, certain features, network connections and apps may experience delays.

   Good to know

   On a Pixel, you can also swipe down from the top of your screen and tap Battery Saver. To have it turn on by itself, open Settings, tap Battery, then Battery Saver, then Schedule and reminders, and make sure “Turn on based on battery level” is on. Battery Saver turns off while your phone charges.

6. 6

   Step 6: Change your screen settings

   The screen is one of the settings Android Help suggests changing to use less battery.

   Depending on your phone, you can let your screen turn off sooner, reduce screen brightness, set the brightness to change automatically and turn on dark theme. You can also turn off keyboard sounds or vibrations.

   • On a Pixel, to reduce brightness, swipe down with two fingers from the top of your screen, then move the slider left.
   • On a Pixel, open Settings, tap Display & touch, then Screen timeout, and pick a time, such as 30 seconds.
   • On a Pixel, open Settings, tap Display & touch, then Adaptive brightness, and turn on Adaptive brightness.
   • On a Pixel, open Settings, tap Display & touch, then Dark theme, and turn on Dark theme.
   • On a Pixel, open Settings, tap Display & touch, and turn off Always-on Display.
   • Turning off live wallpapers also saves some battery life on a Pixel.
7. 7

   Step 7: Limit connections and heavy use

   Constant connections and activities that keep the screen on or process a lot of information use more battery.

   If you don’t need your mobile network, turn on Airplane mode. Use Wi-Fi instead of mobile data, and turn off Bluetooth. You can also turn off Location access, but some apps and features won’t work when Location is off.

   To save battery life, Android Help suggests trying not to:

   • Tether your phone (hotspots)
   • Use GPS or navigation for long periods
   • Stream videos or music, or watch videos
   • Play graphics-heavy or highly interactive games
   • Use the camera much or use apps for long periods
   • Make phone calls on the move, like in a car

   Good to know

   On a Pixel, Google also suggests turning off tethering and hotspots when you’re not using them, and setting your Wi-Fi to not turn on automatically near saved networks.

8. 8

   Step 8: Keep your phone cool

   Heat makes your battery drain faster and can damage it.

   Avoid situations where your phone can overheat, especially when your battery is fully charged. Your battery drains much faster when it’s hot, even when not in use, and this kind of drain can damage your battery.

   Use the power adapter that came with your phone. Other power adapters and chargers can charge slowly or not at all, and they can also damage your phone or battery.

   Good to know

   Your Pixel warms up when it’s plugged in, so Google suggests not keeping it charging more than needed.

9. 9

   Step 9: Restart your phone and check for updates

   Android Help suggests a restart and updates for battery problems that won’t go away.

   On most phones, press your phone’s power button for about 30 seconds, or until your phone restarts. On the screen, you might need to tap Restart. On Pixel 6 and later, press and hold the Power button and Volume up button for a few seconds, then tap Restart.

   To check for Android updates, open the Settings app. Near the bottom, tap System, then Software update. If needed, first tap About phone. When the update status appears, follow the steps.

   To update your apps, open the Google Play Store app, tap the profile icon at the top right, then tap Manage apps & devices. Under “Updates available,” choose to update all apps or a specific app.

   Good to know

   After a software update, it’s normal for a Pixel battery to drain a little more than usual while the phone downloads and optimizes the new software.

10. 10

    Step 10: Test your Pixel battery overnight

    On a Pixel phone, an overnight test shows whether the battery works as expected.

    Charge your phone to 100%, close all open apps and disconnect it from all power sources. Leave it idle as usual overnight. The next morning, check if your battery has drained more than 10%.

    If it drained less than 10%, your battery works as expected. If it drained more than 10%, open Settings, tap Battery, then Battery usage, and sort by “View by apps” or “View by systems.”

    For an app not owned by Google, clear its cache: touch and hold the app, tap App info, then Storage & cache, then Clear cache. For a Google app you can download from Google Play, like Chrome or YouTube, touch and hold the app, tap App info, then at the top right tap Menu, then Uninstall updates. Then repeat the overnight test.

    Good to know

    If a system app or Google app still drains more than 10% after repeated tests, Google suggests watching your phone in your usual routine for 2–5 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

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