Symptoms
- Battery drops noticeably fast during video calls
- Phone gets warm during video calls
- Battery drains faster on video calls than on similar-length phone calls
- Drain is worse on group video calls
Likely causes
- CommonSimultaneous camera, screen, processor, and network useVideo calling combines several of the most power-hungry phone functions at once, so noticeable drain during calls is expected.
- CommonPoor Wi-Fi or cellular signal forcing higher power transmissionA weak connection makes the radio work harder to maintain call quality.
- PossibleHigh screen brightness during callsVideo calls often prompt people to increase brightness, adding to the drain.
- PossibleGroup calls with many participants increasing processing loadDecoding multiple video feeds at once uses more processing power than a one-on-one call.
What to do
- Lower screen brightness during calls if it's higher than needed.
- Connect to a strong Wi-Fi network when possible instead of relying on cellular for calls.
- Close other apps running in the background during long calls to free up processing power.
- Keep the phone plugged in during long or important calls when possible.
- Consider using audio-only calling if video isn't essential for a particular conversation.
- Avoid demanding background tasks like downloads while on a call.
- Expect group video calls to drain faster than one-on-one calls, since more video streams are processed.
- If drain feels excessive even for a short call, check battery health.
When to call a pro
This drain is expected behavior for video calling; if it's excessive even for short calls, check overall battery health rather than treating the app as the root problem.
Safety
Generally low risk
Generally low risk for a careful person. Stop if anything looks different from what this guide describes.