Google Targets Android Apps That Drain Battery Excessively

Google is Clamping Down on Android Apps that Cause Excessive Battery Drain

Google has announced a significant update for Android users, aiming to tackle the issue of excessive battery drain caused by certain apps. According to a recent post on the Android Developers Blog, the tech giant is introducing a new metric that monitors app battery usage more effectively.

With this launch, app developers will be held accountable for apps that continuously violate Google’s guidelines regarding battery consumption. If an app is identified as a battery hog, users will receive warnings in the Play Store, indicating that “this app may use more battery than expected due to high background activity.”

A focal point of this initiative is the tracking of so-called wake locks—when apps prevent smartphones from entering sleep mode, leading to increased battery consumption. Google has set a threshold, stating that a user session is considered excessive if it has more than two cumulative hours of non-exempt wake locks within a 24-hour period. Exemptions are provided for background processes that offer clear user benefits, such as audio playback and data transfers.

Should developers fail to rectify this issue, their apps may also face restrictions, including ineligibility for certain sections within the Play Store. This new policy, effective March 1, aims to ensure a better user experience for Android users, preventing rapid battery depletion and promoting responsible app development.

As these changes unfold, it will be interesting to see how they impact user behavior and developer practices. Share your thoughts on how this will affect your Android experience!