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How to Find Out Which Apps Are Draining Your Phone Battery

Both iPhone and Android already track which apps use your battery. Where to find that screen, how to read it, and what to change once you know.

Line drawing of a phone showing a battery with one of four segments filled, with signal curves beside it.

When a phone that used to last all day suddenly doesn't, the cause is usually one or two apps rather than the battery itself.

Where to look

On an iPhone, open Settings, then Battery, and scroll to the list of apps. On Android it's under Settings, Battery, then Battery usage. Both show the last 24 hours and the last several days.

What the numbers mean

An app near the top is fine if you used it a lot. The warning sign is an app with high background activity that you barely opened. Restrict its background refresh first; if that doesn't help, check for an update or remove it.

Filed under Mobile Apps. Written and reviewed by the SoftwarePivot Editorial Team. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.