Is your phone dying faster than usual? Do you feel like you’re constantly searching for a charger, even after a full charge? A rapidly draining battery is one of the most frustrating mobile phone problems, and often, the culprits are specific apps quietly (or not so quietly) consuming power in the background.
At AS Computer Solutions here in Onoway, battery drain is a common complaint we hear. The good news? You don’t necessarily need a new battery or a new phone. Most of the time, the fix involves identifying and managing the apps that are misbehaving. So, before you rush out to buy a power bank or a brand-new device, try these steps to pinpoint and conquer those battery-gobbling apps.
✅ Step 1: Check Your Phone’s Built-in Battery Usage Statistics
Your smartphone has a powerful diagnostic tool built right in: the battery usage monitor. This is your first and most important stop to identify the worst offenders.
For Android Users:
Open Settings: Pull down your notification shade and tap the gear icon, or find the “Settings” app in your app drawer.
Navigate to Battery: Look for a section titled “Battery,” “Battery & device care,” or similar.
View Battery Usage: Tap on “Battery usage,” “View details,” or “See all usage” (wording varies by Android version and manufacturer).
Identify Culprits: You’ll see a list of apps and system processes, usually ordered by the percentage of battery they’ve consumed since the last full charge. Pay close attention to apps you don’t use frequently but that show high usage. You might be surprised!
For iPhone (iOS) Users:
Open Settings: Tap the “Settings” app icon on your home screen.
Scroll to Battery: Tap on “Battery.”
Check Battery Usage: Scroll down to “Battery Usage By App.” Here you’ll see a detailed breakdown of which apps have used the most battery power over the last 24 hours or the last 10 days.
Look at Activity: Below the app list, you’ll often see “Show Activity,” which breaks down foreground (when you were actively using the app) and background (when the app was running without you actively using it) usage. High background activity is a red flag.
🛠️ Step 2: Targeted Troubleshooting – What to Do with the Culprits
Once you’ve identified the apps that are draining your battery, it’s time to take action.
📌 Scenario 1: An App You Rarely Use is Draining Battery
This is a common scenario. An app you opened once or twice might be stuck running in the background.
Try This:
Force Stop the App:
Android: Go to Settings > Apps (or Apps & notifications) > Find the problematic app > Tap “Force Stop” > Confirm. This immediately halts its activity.
iOS: Unlike Android, iOS handles background processes more aggressively, so there’s no direct “Force Stop” button. If an app is draining excessively in the background, your best bet is to quit the app from the app switcher (swipe up from the bottom or double-press the home button, then swipe the app preview up and off the screen).
Uninstall the App: If you don’t need the app, simply uninstall it. This is the most effective way to ensure it stops draining battery.
Android: Long-press the app icon on your home screen or app drawer and drag it to “Uninstall,” or go to Settings > Apps > Select the app > Tap “Uninstall.”
iOS: Long-press the app icon on your home screen until it jiggles, then tap the “X” or “Minus” icon and confirm “Delete App.”
Restrict Background Activity:
Android: For many apps, you can restrict their ability to run in the background. Go to Settings > Apps > Select the app > Battery > Background restriction / Optimize battery usage (wording varies). Choose “Restricted” or “Optimize.”
iOS: Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh. You can turn this off entirely for specific apps or for all apps. Be mindful that turning it off means apps won’t refresh content until you open them.
⚠️ Scenario 2: An App You Use Frequently is Draining Battery Excessively
Sometimes, even essential apps can become battery hogs due to glitches or aggressive settings.
Try This:
Update the App: Developers often release updates to fix bugs and improve efficiency. Check the Google Play Store or Apple App Store for updates.
Clear Cache & Data (Android Only): This can resolve issues where an app’s stored data is corrupted. Go to Settings > Apps > Select the app > Storage & cache > Tap “Clear cache” and then “Clear data” (be aware that clearing data will log you out and remove app-specific settings).
Review App Settings:
Location Services: Many apps request constant location access. Change location permissions to “Only while using the app” or “Ask next time” for apps that don’t need continuous tracking (Settings > Location > App permissions on Android; Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services on iOS).
Notifications: Excessive notifications can wake your phone constantly. Go to the app’s notification settings and disable unnecessary alerts.
Sync Settings: For apps like email or social media, adjust how frequently they sync data. Less frequent syncing saves battery.
Consider Alternatives: If a specific app continues to be a battery hog despite your efforts, look for a more battery-efficient alternative that offers similar functionality.
🔄 Scenario 3: System Processes are Draining Battery (or No Obvious App Culprit)
If the battery usage statistics show “Android System,” “iOS System,” “Cell Standby,” or “Phone Idle” as major drains, the issue might be broader than a single app.
Try This:
Restart Your Phone: A simple reboot can often fix temporary software glitches causing unusual system drain.
Check for Software Updates: Ensure your phone’s operating system (Android or iOS) is up to date. Updates often include battery optimizations.
Disable Unused Features:
Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, NFC: Turn these off when not in use.
Always-On Display: If your phone has this feature, disabling it can save significant battery.
Live Wallpapers / Widgets: Animated wallpapers and constantly updating widgets consume more power.
Adjust Screen Brightness & Timeout: The screen is one of the biggest battery consumers. Lower your screen brightness or enable adaptive brightness. Set a shorter screen timeout.
Network Signal: If you’re in an area with poor cellular signal, your phone works harder to connect, leading to drain. Using Wi-Fi calling if available can help.
Factory Reset (Last Resort): If all else fails, and you suspect a deeper software issue, a factory reset can sometimes resolve persistent battery drain. Always back up your data first!
🧰 Still No Luck? Bring It to the Pros
If you’ve tried all these steps and your battery is still draining rapidly, don’t stress—AS Computer Solutions is here to help.
We can:
Perform advanced diagnostics to identify hidden background processes or hardware issues affecting battery life.
Check for underlying issues like malware or system corruption.
Assess your battery’s health and recommend a replacement if it’s degraded.
Offer expert advice on optimizing your phone’s settings for maximum battery longevity.
🏡 Local. Reliable. Ready to Help.
Serving Onoway and surrounding communities, AS Computer Solutions is your go-to for friendly, affordable tech support.
Don’t let a dying phone hold you back. Try the steps above first, and if you’re still stuck, give us a shout. We’ll get your phone’s battery life—and your peace of mind—back on track.
Call or visit us today:
📞 (780) 967 0215
📍 Onoway, Alberta
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