To stop apps from draining your battery, check battery usage in settings, restrict background activity, disable unnecessary notifications, and turn off location services. Use battery saver mode and update apps regularly. These steps help conserve power and extend your smartphone’s battery life throughout the day.
We’ve all been there. You charge your phone overnight, unplug it in the morning at 100%, and by lunchtime, you’re scrambling for a charger, again. It’s frustrating, inconvenient, and can even make you paranoid that your phone is “broken.” But more often than not, the culprit behind your battery drain isn’t your phone, it’s the apps running in the background.
Whether you’re using an iPhone or an Android device, background apps can quietly sap your battery without you realizing it. These apps update data, track your location, push notifications, and even run processes you might never use. Luckily, there are simple ways to regain control over your device and extend your battery life.
What Are Background Apps?
Background apps are applications that continue to run even when you’re not actively using them. They might be refreshing content (like your email inbox or news feed), uploading data, or checking for location changes.
For example, a weather app may keep tracking your location to send you localized updates. Social media platforms might refresh your feed so it’s up-to-date when you open the app. Messaging apps maintain a connection to deliver real-time notifications. While these functions are convenient, they come at a cost, battery life.
Why Background Activity Drains Battery
Your phone is like a mini computer, and every background process uses CPU power, memory, and network resources. These translate directly into battery usage. If many apps are running background processes at once, they create a drain, even when your screen is off.
Additionally, some apps are poorly optimized and continue to use excessive resources without delivering much benefit. These are the ones you’ll want to watch closely.
Step-by-Step Guide to Stop Battery Drain from Background Apps
Let’s explore some effective ways to curb background app activity and keep your battery going longer.
#1 Check Battery Usage Stats
Before you can fix the problem, you need to know which apps are causing it.
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Battery
- You’ll see a list of apps with percentages showing how much battery they’ve used in the past 24 hours or 10 days.
- Tap on an app to see details — including whether the usage was while the app was on-screen (active use) or in the background.
On Android:
- Go to Settings > Battery > Battery usage
- Depending on your Android version, it may show you app usage stats or give a “since last full charge” breakdown.
Look for apps that use a high percentage of battery in the background. These are your prime suspects.
#2 Limit Background Activity for Specific Apps
Once you’ve identified battery hogs, it’s time to restrict them.
On iPhone:
Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh
You’ll see a list of apps with toggles. You can:
- Disable background refresh entirely.
- Choose to allow it only on Wi-Fi (not cellular).
- Toggle off background activity for specific apps you don’t need updating constantly.
On Android:
- Go to Settings > Apps
- Tap on the app you want to restrict
- Select Battery > Background restriction or Battery optimization
- Choose to restrict background usage
Android users can also enable Battery Saver Mode, which automatically limits background activity system-wide.
#3 Disable Push Notifications (for Non-Essential Apps)
Notifications may seem harmless, but they require constant background connections. Every ping is the result of a background process keeping the app alive.
Ask yourself: Do you really need real-time alerts from all your apps?
How to turn off notifications:
iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Notifications
- Select an app and disable Allow Notifications
Android:
- Go to Settings > Notifications
- Manage each app’s permissions and toggle off unnecessary ones
Pro tip: Keep notifications on only for critical apps (messaging, calendar, etc.), and silence social media or shopping apps that aren’t time-sensitive.
#4 Update Apps Regularly
App developers constantly release updates to fix bugs and improve efficiency. Running outdated apps can cause unnecessary background activity due to unpatched issues.
Always keep your apps updated:
- On iPhone: Open App Store > Updates tab and update all.
- On Android: Open Google Play Store > Manage apps & device > Updates available
You can also enable auto-updates on both platforms to stay current without manual effort.
#5 Use Lite or Web Versions of Apps
Some apps are inherently power-hungry. Facebook, for example, is notorious for its background drain. A simple solution is to uninstall the app and use the mobile version via your browser instead.
Alternatively, use “lite” versions of apps:
- Facebook Lite
- Messenger Lite
- Twitter Lite
These apps are designed to use fewer resources and data, and they consume much less battery.
#6 Enable Battery Saver Modes
Both Android and iOS have built-in battery saver modes that limit background activity.
On iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Battery
- Toggle on Low Power Mode
- This disables background app refresh, automatic downloads, and visual effects.
On Android:
- Go to Settings > Battery
- Toggle on Battery Saver or Power Saving Mode
- Some Android devices also offer Extreme Power Saving which limits your phone to basic functions.
Use these modes when your battery is low, or proactively if you know you’ll be away from a charger.
#7 Turn Off Location Services (Or Use “While Using the App”)
Apps that track your location — even in the background — are huge battery drainers.
On iPhone:
Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services
Set individual apps to:
- Never
- Ask Next Time
- While Using the App
- Avoid “Always” unless necessary (e.g., maps, ride-sharing)
On Android:
- Go to Settings > Location > App permissions
- Set permissions for each app accordingly
Avoid letting weather, photo, and shopping apps track your location unless absolutely needed.
#8 Kill Battery-Hogging Background Processes
Sometimes, force-stopping an app is the fastest way to stop it from draining power.
On iPhone:
- Double-press the Home button (or swipe up on Face ID phones)
- Swipe up to close apps
On Android:
- Go to Settings > Apps > Running apps
- Select the culprit and Force Stop
This is especially useful for apps that get stuck syncing or updating.
#9 Clear Cache or Reinstall Apps
If an app continues to misbehave, it may have corrupted data or bloated caches.
On Android:
- Go to Settings > Apps > [App] > Storage
- Tap Clear Cache
If problems persist, uninstall and reinstall the app.
On iPhone, clearing cache isn’t directly possible for all apps, but reinstalling achieves the same result.
#10 Avoid Battery-Hogging Widgets and Live Wallpapers
Widgets and live wallpapers are fun, but they often update frequently and use real-time animation, both of which are battery-intensive.
- Remove any widgets you don’t truly use
- Avoid live wallpapers, especially ones that respond to motion or time
Stick to static backgrounds and use only essential widgets (like weather or calendar).
#11 Monitor Your Device with Battery Health Tools
Some phones include built-in tools to analyze battery performance over time.
iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging
- Look at “Maximum Capacity” and check if your battery needs service
Android:
- Depending on the phone, use Device Care, Battery Manager, or third-party apps like AccuBattery
Monitoring your battery health can help you catch issues early, like a battery degrading faster than normal.
Take Control of Your Battery Life
Apps aren’t evil, they’re designed to help us stay connected and productive. But many of them run in the background far more than necessary, draining your battery when you least expect it. The good news is, with just a few tweaks, you can take back control.
To recap:
- Check which apps are using your battery
- Limit background activity and location access
- Use notifications wisely
- Update apps regularly
- Leverage battery saver features
- Use lite versions or browser alternatives
Being proactive with your settings can dramatically extend your battery life, reduce charging frequency, and make your device feel snappier and more responsive. It only takes a few minutes to configure — and your phone will thank you for it.
Bonus Tip: If you’ve tried everything and your battery still drains quickly, it might be time to replace the battery or consider upgrading your phone, especially if it’s more than 3 years old.
Keeping your device optimized doesn’t just improve battery life; it enhances your overall mobile experience. Start today, your future self will appreciate the extra hours of screen time!
Follow TechBSB For More Tips Like This
