It's probably happened to you: you update your Android phone and suddenly the battery seems to last much less than before. It's a frustrating and fairly common situation, especially after major system updates or updates to certain popular apps. Complaints are multiplying on forums and social media, and it's not just your feeling: many brands and models suffer from battery life issues after certain updates. But what's really happening? And, above all, is there a solution?
This article thoroughly analyzes why the battery can drain much faster after updating Android, which brands and apps have been affected recently, and details the best steps to restore battery performance. All of this is done using verified information from technical services, specialized media, and official advice. This way, you'll be able to understand the problem and apply the most effective steps to restore your phone's battery life.
Why does my battery drain quickly after an Android update?
Android updates, whether to the operating system itself or to individual apps, can lead to excessive battery drain.Although sometimes the cause is a temporary optimization—it takes a few days for the system to adapt after the change—it's increasingly common for certain apps or background processes to increase energy consumption.
Users of brands such as Samsung, Motorola, and Google Pixel They have reported periods of accelerated drain after installing recent updates. This isn't a manufacturer-specific issue: Android fragmentation means the same problem can recur across different models and brands.
In fact, some manufacturers and Google itself have detected in recent months that apps like Instagram and Threads can become "stuck" after an update, keeping processes active in the background and increasing power consumption. Additionally, certain system updates can reactivate heavy-duty features (such as location or automatic brightness boost) or undo power-saving settings, suddenly increasing battery consumption.
Affected makes and models: Is it just you?
Rapid battery drain after an update is something that can affect popular brands like Samsung, Motorola, and Google Pixel.In reality, any Android phone can suffer from it, but these manufacturers account for the majority of recent reports.
- En Samsung, especially with the arrival of One UI 7 and Android 14, many users have noticed that models like the Galaxy Z Fold 6, Galaxy S24, and S23 Ultra are consuming more battery than usual. Some were needing two charges a day when previously they would end the day with almost half the battery left.
- Users of Motorola They have reported battery life and overheating issues, especially after updating apps like Threads or Instagram.
- INCLUDED Google Pixel, which is often a benchmark in optimization, has been plagued by this type of error, especially after installing certain security patches.
In all cases, the situation causes discomfort among users, as it affects their daily experience and can lead to temperature problems.
Why does this excessive consumption occur after updating?
The update process activates many internal mechanisms of the phone that can temporarily increase power consumption:
- Optimizing apps in the background: Android needs time to reorganize and optimize all apps for the new version, which can take days.
- Reactivation of intensive services: Features such as location, automatic brightness, and account sync may be active again after the update.
- Bugs or specific incompatibilities: Sometimes an app (like Instagram, Threads, or even Google Play Services) will get stuck, using more CPU and battery than it should, without the user noticing.
- 5G networks and multiple connectivity: In recent models, simultaneous use of 4G and 5G increases costs, especially in areas with uneven coverage.
Therefore, It is common to notice during the first few days after an update that the autonomy drops noticeably.However, if consumption persists after a week, it's important to find the specific cause and apply appropriate solutions.
Problematic apps: Instagram, Threads, and Google Play Services take center stage
In recent months, certain apps have been identified as the main culprits of battery drain after updating Android. Two cases stand out:
Instagram draining battery in the background
Google has confirmed that a recent version of Instagram was causing excessive battery drain on multiple Android devices, including models from Motorola, Pixel, and other manufacturers.
The bug not only affected the app's use, but also its background. The app would get stuck and continue to consume resources even when it wasn't open. The solution, in this case, has been to update Instagram to the latest version available on the Google Play Store., as the social network's own team released a critical update to correct this error.
Threads and other Meta services
Similarly, The Threads app was reported to cause overheating and battery drain on Motorola models.The brand recommended upgrading to the corrected version, which eliminated the excessive consumption.
This shows that sometimes, The problem is not so much the Android system but rather poorly optimized applications that, when updated, generate looping processes or do not close properly..
Google Play Services and software failures
Another common cause is that A faulty Google Play Services update can leave processes running that increase power consumption.In May, a faulty version caused widespread problems on mobile phones of several brands. Google responded by quickly releasing a new update that fixed the issue.
Is battery consumption normal after the update? Adaptation time factor
It is important to know that, just after updating Android, high consumption can be perfectly normal for a few days.The system is:
- Optimizing all apps for the new version
- Resetting internal parameters
- Processing data and reorganizing caches
According to official Google support, This adjustment period can last up to several weeks, especially after a factory reset or setting up a new device.The battery "learns" from usage habits and gradually improves its efficiency.
How to check if you have an app that is consuming too much battery
Before taking drastic measures, it is advisable to identify which applications are consuming more battery than expected.Both pure Android and the customization layers (Samsung One UI, Motorola, etc.) have functions to view detailed consumption by app.
General steps to identify problematic apps:
- Open Settings on your phone.
- Enter the section Battery and access Battery usage.
- You can select "View by apps" or a similar option to see which apps are using the most power.
- Pay attention to apps that stand out above others or that consume a lot of power even without using them.
In some Android layers you will see recommendations to restrict the consumption of certain appsIf you identify any application with unusual usage, it's a good idea to restrict its background activity or temporarily uninstall it.
Practical solutions to improve battery life after updating Android
If you notice your battery draining faster after an update, There are a series of recommended actions depending on the cause detected:
1. Update problematic applications
Check if you have pending updates in the Google Play Store, especially apps known for consuming a lot of battery (Instagram, Threads, Google Play Services, etc.). Always install the latest versions, as they often fix serious bugs.
2. Restrict background usage of high-power apps
From Settings > Battery > Battery usage, select the app and make sure Turn on battery optimization and restrict background usage if allowed. Caution: Restricting essential apps can limit their functionality or delay notifications, so use common sense.
3. Force stop apps that won't close properly
If an app continues to consume resources even after updating it, you can force his arrest From Settings > Apps > See all apps > Select the app > Force stop. Only do this with non-critical apps, as doing so with essential services can cause system crashes.
4. Reinstall or uninstall faulty apps
Temporarily uninstall any apps you find to be causing excessive power consumption and reinstall them after restarting your device. Many battery problems are solved this way. when the app has been updated incorrectly.
5. Restart your phone after the update
Sometimes A simple reboot after updating the system or an application fixes stuck processes and rebalances battery consumption. Each model has its own button combination for resetting, so consult your brand's instructions if necessary.
6. Check for more system updates
Sometimes, Manufacturers quickly release corrective patches after a problematic updateGo to Settings > System > Software Update and check for a new version. Installing these patches usually returns battery life to normal.
Tips for saving battery life on Android after an update
In addition to resolving specific issues after an update, There are a number of tricks and tweaks that always help improve battery life on Android..
- Reduce screen brightness or activate dark modeA very bright screen is one of the biggest power consumers on any smartphone. Use automatic brightness settings or manually lower the brightness to save battery life. Dark mode helps even more, especially on AMOLED displays.
- Disable unnecessary location services: Go to Settings > Location Services and turn off GPS if you don't need it. You can also restrict location permission to essential apps.
- Close background appsAvoid having heavy applications like streaming services (YouTube, Spotify) open when you are not actively using them.
- Minimize push notifications and alerts: Each vibration and alert consumes power. Mute less important apps in the notifications section.
- Avoid extreme temperaturesHeat (or intense cold) negatively affects the battery, both its daily life and its long-term lifespan. Don't leave your phone exposed to sunlight or in very hot spaces.
- Switch to Wi-Fi if you have poor mobile coverageIf your phone is constantly searching for a signal in a poor coverage area, the battery will drain quickly. Use Wi-Fi whenever possible.
- Turn off Picture-in-Picture mode if you don't use it.Apps like YouTube can keep videos running in the background; turn this off in Settings if you don't need it.
- Reduce screen on time: Set the screen auto-off time to the shortest comfortable duration.
- Keep your system and app software up to date: Many security and battery fixes are coming in the updates.
- Activate battery saving modeAndroid has several adaptive power saving options that limit background processes when the battery drops below a certain percentage. Activate them in Settings > Battery.
What if the problem persists after applying all the steps?
If after applying all If, following these recommendations, battery consumption continues to be abnormal for more than a week, you may be facing a deeper failure, either hardware (aged battery) or software. Check the battery status can be key in determining whether you need to replace it.
In that case, you can try advanced steps like these:
- Reset phone settings: This only erases custom settings, not your data. It can help remove settings that cause unusual power consumption.
- Factory reset: Erase all data and return the phone to its original state. This is the most radical solution and should only be done after making a backup and if the problem persists.
- Contact your brand's official supportIf your phone continues to consume more battery than normal and is under warranty, seek professional help. In some cases of defective batteries, they offer free replacements.
What external factors can influence after updating Android?
Beyond software issues, Daily phone usage and factors such as battery age, signal strength, and ambient temperature also greatly influence actual battery life.Things like high screen brightness, multiple open apps, active location services, continuous push notifications, or intensive use of 5G networks can make you feel like your battery is draining prematurely.
Even if your phone is new, The first week is usually the one with the highest consumption, since the system needs time to adapt and learn your habits.. Therefore, before becoming alarmed, always wait several days to see if the situation stabilizes.
When should you consider changing the battery?
Most Android phone batteries last at full capacity for about 2 or 3 years after first using them. If you notice that your battery is charging below 80% of its original capacity, you may want to consider replacing it.For many models, this can only be checked using third-party apps like AccuBattery, which provide an estimate of battery health.
When the battery drains very quickly despite following all the advice and your phone is already a few years old, replacing the battery is often the best option to recover lost battery life.
External tools to optimize battery life on Android
If after following all the recommendations your mobile phone is still running slowly or has low battery, There are applications like Avast Cleanup that help delete unnecessary files and optimize performance.. But always choose reliable apps and download them from the official Google Play store.
A phone's battery can be affected by a variety of factors, but in most cases, a combination of software optimization, usage adjustments, and patience during the adjustment period resolves most issues. Share this guide so other users can learn about the topic..