Symptoms
- One app shows far higher battery usage than its screen time suggests
- Phone gets warm specifically when that app is open or recently closed
- Battery drains noticeably faster after installing or updating that app
- Battery usage improves when the app is deleted
Likely causes
- CommonApp using background location tracking constantlyApps with 'Allow all the time' location access can track in the background continuously, draining battery.
- CommonA bug in a recent app update causing excessive CPU usePoorly optimized updates sometimes cause runaway background processes.
- PossibleAn app not optimized for battery, running unrestricted in the backgroundApps excluded from battery optimization can keep running and using resources when closed.
- PossibleVideo or audio playback continuing in the background unintentionallySome apps keep streaming or processing media after you've left them.
What to do
- Open Settings > Battery > Battery usage and find the app in the list.
- Compare its background usage to its active screen usage; a large background number points to the cause.
- Change that app's Location permission to 'Allow only while using the app' or 'Deny' in Settings > Apps > Permissions.
- Set the app's battery usage to 'Optimized' or 'Restricted' in Settings > Apps > [app] > Battery.
- Check the Play Store for a pending update, since many drain issues are fixed quickly by developers.
- Force-stop the app and see if battery usage stabilizes over the next hour.
- Delete and reinstall the app if the issue continues after updating.
- If usage remains abnormally high, avoid the app or contact the developer, since it may have an unresolved bug.
When to call a pro
This is a software issue and doesn't need a repair shop; if no fix works, the developer's support may be the right contact for a persistent app bug.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.