Almost every smartphone user has faced the issue of rapid battery drain, even when it seems the device isn’t being used intensively. Often, the culprit isn’t the device itself but background processes and apps that run without your awareness. As noted by the Baltimore Chronicle, some popular apps can significantly shorten your gadget’s battery life.
In this article, we’ll explore which apps consume the most energy, how to monitor battery usage, and what you can do to reduce their impact without losing key functionality.
How Apps Affect Your Smartphone’s Battery Life
Modern apps aren’t just simple tools. Many constantly update data, use GPS, access your camera or microphone, and run in the background even when you’re not using them. These functions are the key drivers of battery drain.
The apps that consume the most energy typically rely heavily on:
- Geolocation services
- Mobile data
- Background synchronization
- Push notifications
- Animations and rich visual design
Additionally, the longer you go without rebooting your phone, the more processes accumulate in RAM, which also affects battery life negatively.
Top 10 Apps That Most Frequently Drain Your Battery
Here’s a list of apps that regularly rank among the most power-hungry:
- TikTok
- Snapchat
- Google Maps
- YouTube
- Gmail
- Spotify
- Zoom
Reasons for High Energy Consumption:
- Constant feed updates and data syncing
- Video and audio content
- Continuous background operation
- Frequent GPS usage
Most of these apps rely heavily on network activity, which increases energy consumption, especially when using mobile data.
How to Check Which Apps Consume the Most Battery
Android:
- Open Settings.
- Go to the Battery section.
- Select Battery Usage.
- Review the app list sorted by power consumption.
iOS:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Battery.
- View statistics for the past 24 hours or 10 days.
This data will help you identify which apps need optimization or should be deleted entirely.
What to Do If Apps Are Draining Your Battery Too Quickly
There are several simple yet effective methods to reduce energy usage:
Limit Background Activity
- Enable battery optimization for unused apps.
- On Android, turn on Battery Saver mode.
- On iOS, activate Low Power Mode.
Disable GPS When Not Needed
- Turn off GPS for apps that don’t need it constantly.
- Set location permissions to While Using the App.
Turn Off Push Notifications
- Disable unnecessary notifications for social media and games.
- Fewer notifications mean fewer screen activations.
App Battery Usage Comparison
| App | Battery Consumption Level | Main Cause | Suggested Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| High | Constant updates, GPS | Use browser version instead | |
| High | Video, push, location tracking | Limit background updates | |
| Google Maps | Very High | Navigation, GPS | Turn off when not in active use |
| Gmail | Medium | Email sync | Set to manual refresh |
| TikTok | High | Auto-play video content | Reduce usage time |
Alternatives to Heavy Apps
If you don’t want to give up your favorite apps, try their lightweight versions:
- Facebook Lite instead of Facebook
- Gmail via browser instead of the native app
- Brave or Firefox Focus instead of Chrome
- Use Spotify with limited offline caching
- Try optimization apps like Greenify (Android only)
How to Extend Battery Life Further
Besides app management, follow these general tips:
- Enable dark mode
- Lower screen brightness
- Disable Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and mobile data when not needed
- Restart your phone periodically
- Uninstall unnecessary apps
These simple steps can significantly increase your phone’s battery life without needing a power bank or external accessories.
What If the Battery Still Drains After Optimization?
If you’ve tried everything but your battery still depletes quickly:
- Check battery health status in settings (Battery Health on iOS)
- Replace the battery if health is under 80%
- Reinstall the OS or do a factory reset
- Visit a service center — there might be a hardware issue
Earlier we wrote about how smartphones affect the psyche.