Is your phone battery dying before lunch? You’re constantly searching for a charger, and your battery percentage drops faster than you can scroll. The culprit? Background apps silently draining your battery life.
Battery drain is one of the most frustrating smartphone problems in 2025. Whether you’re using Android or iPhone, rogue apps running in the background can cut your battery life in half. The good news? You can identify and stop these battery-draining apps in just a few minutes.
This guide shows you exactly how to find which apps are killing your battery and what to do about it.
Why Do Apps Drain Your Battery?
Understanding why apps consume so much power helps you prevent battery drain effectively.
Background Activity: Apps continue running even when you’re not using them. They refresh content, check for updates, and sync data constantly.
Location Services: GPS tracking is one of the biggest battery killers. Apps that constantly access your location drain battery rapidly, even when closed.
Push Notifications: Every notification requires your phone to wake up and light the screen. Multiply this by dozens of apps, and you’ve got major battery drain.
Poor Optimization: Some apps are coded inefficiently, consuming more resources than necessary and keeping your processor working harder.
Check Battery Usage on Android
Android provides built-in tools to identify battery-hogging apps quickly.
View Battery Statistics
First: Open Settings on your Android device.
Next: Tap “Battery” or “Device Care.”
Then: Select “Battery Usage” to see which apps consumed the most battery.
The list shows apps ranked by battery consumption percentage. Apps at the top are your biggest drains.
Analyze Background Usage
Look for apps you rarely use but appear high on the list. Check the “Background usage” metric—apps with high background consumption drain battery even when closed.
Enable Adaptive Battery
First: Go to Settings > Battery.
Next: Enable “Adaptive Battery.”
Result: Android learns your patterns and restricts battery-draining apps automatically.
Download: AccuBattery – Google Play Store
Check Battery Usage on iPhone
iPhone’s iOS provides powerful battery management tools.
View App Battery Usage
First: Open Settings on your iPhone.
Next: Scroll down and tap “Battery.”
View: Battery usage by app for the last 24 hours or 10 days.
Analyze: Tap the clock icon to see screen time vs. background time.
Check Battery Health
First: In Settings > Battery, tap “Battery Health.”
Check: Maximum capacity percentage.
Monitor: If capacity is below 80%, your battery may need replacement.
Use Low Power Mode
Enable: Settings > Battery > Low Power Mode.
Effect: Reduces background activity, email fetch, and visual effects by several hours.
Download: Battery Life – iOS App Store
Top Battery-Draining Apps
Certain app types are notorious for excessive battery consumption.
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat constantly refresh feeds and track location. Restrict background refresh and disable location when not needed.
Streaming Services: Netflix, YouTube, and Spotify drain battery through playback. Download content on Wi-Fi and watch offline.
Navigation Apps: Google Maps and Waze use GPS continuously. Close completely after reaching your destination.
Messaging Apps: WhatsApp, Messenger, and Telegram run constantly. Disable video auto-download and reduce notifications.
Quick Fixes for Android
These solutions work on all Android devices.
Restrict Background Data
First: Settings > Apps > Select app.
Next: Tap “Mobile data & Wi-Fi.”
Then: Disable “Background data.”
Disable Location Access
First: Settings > Location > App permissions.
Next: Review which apps have location access.
Then: Change to “Only while using” or “Don’t allow.”
Remove Bloatware
First: Settings > Apps.
Next: Find pre-installed apps you never use.
Then: Tap “Uninstall” or “Disable.”
Update Apps
First: Open Google Play Store.
Next: Tap profile icon > Manage apps & device.
Then: Update all apps for battery optimizations.
Quick Fixes for iPhone
iPhone-specific solutions for better battery life.
Disable Background App Refresh
First: Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
Next: Toggle off for apps that don’t need constant updates.
Result: Dramatic battery life improvement.
Manage Location Services
First: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
Next: Review each app’s permission.
Then: Change to “While Using” or “Never” for non-essential apps.
Reduce Screen Brightness
First: Swipe down to Control Center.
Next: Adjust brightness to comfortable minimum.
Enable: Auto-Brightness in Settings > Accessibility > Display.
Disable Push Email
First: Settings > Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data.
Next: Turn off “Push.”
Then: Set fetch to “Manually” or “Every 30 Minutes.”
Advanced Battery Saving Tips
Power-user strategies for maximum battery life.
Use Dark Mode: On OLED screens, dark mode significantly reduces power consumption. Enable in Settings > Display.
Manage Notifications: Disable notifications from apps that don’t require immediate attention. Fewer interruptions mean better battery life.
Monitor Temperature: If your phone feels hot, close resource-intensive apps immediately. High temperatures accelerate battery drain.
Reset Network Settings: Poor connections cause excessive drain. Reset network settings if signal issues persist.
Consider App Alternatives
If an app consistently drains battery, try lightweight alternatives.
Facebook: Use the mobile website instead of the app for less battery consumption.
Instagram: Limit usage time or use Lite version where available.
Email: Use built-in Mail app instead of Gmail or Outlook for better efficiency.
Lightweight alternatives deliver core functionality without the battery drain.
Prevent Future Battery Drain
Maintain good battery health with these habits.
Regular Updates: Keep OS and apps updated for battery optimizations.
Selective Installation: Only install apps you genuinely need.
Weekly Review: Check battery statistics weekly to catch problems early.
Smart Charging: Charge at 20-30% and unplug at 80-90% when possible.
Temperature Control: Avoid extreme temperatures that accelerate battery degradation.
FAQs About Battery Draining Apps
Why is my battery draining so fast suddenly?
Sudden drain usually indicates a recent app update or new installation. Check battery usage statistics to identify the culprit. Sometimes a simple restart resolves temporary glitches causing excessive drain.
Which apps drain the most battery?
Social media apps (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok), streaming services (YouTube, Netflix, Spotify), navigation apps (Google Maps, Waze), and graphics-intensive games drain the most battery. They use GPS, constant data refresh, and keep your screen active.
Does closing apps save battery?
Closing apps doesn’t significantly save battery on modern smartphones. Both iOS and Android manage background processes efficiently. Instead, restrict background app refresh for specific problematic apps.
How do I stop apps from running in the background?
On Android: Settings > Apps > select app > Battery > Background restriction. On iPhone: disable background app refresh in Settings > General > Background App Refresh. Turn off location services for unnecessary apps.
Can apps permanently damage my battery?
Apps cannot permanently damage battery hardware. However, apps causing consistent overheating can accelerate normal battery degradation. Remove problematic apps and maintain proper charging habits.
Should I use battery saver apps?
Built-in battery optimization is more effective than third-party apps. Many battery saver apps consume additional resources. Stick with native battery management features for best results.
Conclusion
Battery drain from apps is frustrating but fixable. By identifying power-hungry apps and applying these targeted fixes, you can dramatically extend your phone’s battery life.
Check your battery usage statistics today. Restrict background activity for unused apps. Disable unnecessary location services and notifications.
These changes take minutes but can double your battery life between charges. Your phone should work for you all day, not die before lunch.
Take action now—optimize your biggest battery drainers. Your fully-charged phone will thank you.
Want More App Reviews & Expert Guides?
Follow AppsHelm for the latest app reviews, exclusive deals, and expert guides! We test and review hundreds of apps to help you find the best mobile apps for managing money, solving problems, and enhancing your digital life.
Visit AppsHelm.com for more expert app reviews and guides!
💬 Share Your Experience: Which app was draining your battery the most? Drop a comment below and let the AppsHelm community know how much battery life you saved!
