X

How to see which apps are draining your Android device's battery

With precious battery juice at stake, learn how to see which apps are the biggest offenders.

Nicole Cozma
Nicole Cozma has an affinity for Android apps and devices, but loves technology in general. Based out of the Tampa Bay Area, she enjoys being a spectator to both sunsets and lightning storms.
Nicole Cozma

If you spend a lot of your time on the move, you probably spend a lot of that time on your smartphone. With a myriad of apps in the Android Market and other useful functions at your fingertips, it's sometimes too easy to run down your battery without realizing it. So how do you figure out which apps will limit your mobile time with your Android device by draining battery life? Follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the main settings area of your phone by pressing the Menu button and then choosing Settings.

Screenshot by Nicole Cozma

Step 2: Scroll down in this menu to "About phone" and press it.

Screenshot by Nicole Cozma

Step 3: On the next menu, choose "Battery use."

Screenshot by Nicole Cozma

Step 4: Look over the list of apps that are using the battery the most. "Display" is likely to be the top consumer on your phone at all times.

Screenshot by Nicole Cozma

Step 5: If an app you're not using at the moment is consuming a lot of battery power, you can select it and then press the "Force stop" button.

Screenshot by Nicole Cozma

If you download a lot of different apps often, it's a good idea to visit this area of the menu to see how much power each of them is using. And you'll be able to spend less time with your Android device plugged in to the wall once you know which apps are the top battery drainers on your phone.