Fix battery drain problem

If your phone's battery life seems poor or short, it could be that a downloaded app uses too much battery. You can adjust your phone settings to help its battery last. To fix battery drain, use the steps below.

Important: Some of these steps work only on Android 9.0 and up. Learn how to check your Android version.

The Pixel battery continuously learns your behaviors and optimizes itself based on your most recent app usage. When you set up a new device or after a factory reset, optimization may take up a few weeks to take full effect. For best results keep Adaptive Battery and battery optimization on.

After a software update, it's normal for your Pixel battery to drain a little more than usual. It’s because the phone works hard to download and optimize the new software and get everything up and running.

If you still experience unusual battery drain after a few days, let us know and we’re happy to help.

Tip: This video applies to Pixel Fold only.

Fix battery drain on your Pixel Fold
Go to this video with audio descriptions: Fix battery drain on your Pixel Fold

How do I save battery with my Settings?

If your phone's battery life is too short, learn how to get a longer battery life.

You can also learn which activities use the most battery.

How do I close apps that use the most battery?

Important: You can't force stop or uninstall Google Play services. Your phone uses Google services through Google Play. It’s integrated with Android. Learn about Google Play services.

Step 1: Restrict apps that use the most battery

With high background or overall battery usage

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Battery Battery usage.
   • To get battery usage by app, tap View by apps.
3. To review or change how a listed app or system uses the battery, tap the app or system.​
   • For all apps, it’s recommended you keep "battery optimization" turned on.
   • For some apps, you can restrict background battery usage.
4. To review the "battery usage settings" for all your apps:
   1. Open your phone's Settings app.
   2. Tap Apps  App battery usage.
5. If you find a message with advice to restrict an app or system, tap the message  Restrict.

Tip: When some apps are set to “Restricted,”  they may not work as usual, or notifications are delayed. 

Step 2: Force problem apps to stop

Important: If you force stop some essential apps or services, your phone won't work correctly. Force stop isn’t available for all apps.

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Tap Apps See all apps.
3. Tap the app  Force stop OK. 

 

Step 3: Uninstall problem apps

1. Touch and hold the app.
2. Tap Remove App  Delete App.
3. To confirm, tap Delete.

Tip: When you touch and hold the app, you can find “Uninstall,” “Remove,” or both on your screen. To remove the app from your phone, tap Uninstall. To remove it from your home screen only, tap Remove.

How do I check if my phone needs to be updated?

Restart your phone (reboot)

1. Restart your phone.
   • On Pixel 5a and earlier: Press and hold the Power button for about 30 seconds, or until your phone restarts.
   • On Pixel 6 and later, including Fold: Press and hold the Power button + Volume up button for a few seconds.
2. Tap Restart .

Check for Android updates

1. Open your phone's Settings app.
2. Near the bottom, tap System  Software update.
   • If needed, first tap About phone or About tablet.
3. When the update status appears on your screen, follow the steps.

Check for app updates

1. Open the Google Play Store app .
2. At the top right, tap the profile icon.
3. Tap Manage apps & devices.
4. Under "Updates available," choose to update all apps or a specific app.

Try advanced steps

Reset to factory settings

Important: A factory data reset will remove all data from your phone. You can restore any data stored in your Google Account, but all apps and their associated data are uninstalled. Before you perform a factory data reset, back up your phone.

• Learn how to back up and restore data.
• Learn how to perform a factory data reset.

Post your question to a Google forum

For possible solutions to other issues with your phone’s reset, post your questions on Google Pixel Help Community.

Still have issues with battery drain?

• If your phone still has issues with battery drain, you can get help. Learn how to contact us.
• For enrolled Pixel for Business customers, contact Pixel Enterprise support.

Related resources

• Get the most life from your battery
• Stretch a low battery’s power
• Use battery saver
• Check battery level