YouTube Update Raises Battery Concerns Among Android Users
In a recent development, Google has rolled out an update aimed at enhancing the YouTube viewing experience for Android device owners. This update was designed to enable higher resolution playback while simultaneously reducing power consumption on a range of Android devices.
However, despite the promising enhancement, a number of users have reported an unexpected side effect: a significant drain on their device’s battery life. The software upgrade, known as dav1d, was introduced in the March 2024 Google Play System Update and has since been a topic of concern among the Android community.
Arif Dikici, a software development manager at Google, highlighted the benefits of the update on LinkedIn, stating, “Most devices can decode 720p30 in software using dav1d. Apps need to opt into dav1d to benefit for now, yet soon it will become the default AV1 software decoder.” The AV1 video format is gaining popularity, but currently, only the latest devices come with built-in support for it, leaving many older Android models without this feature.
As a result, users with these older devices are finding that their battery life is being depleted more quickly when using YouTube. Complaints have surfaced across various platforms, including Reddit, where users have shared their experiences of abnormal battery drain and issues such as videos blanking out or stuttering when multitasking.
One Reddit user expressed frustration, saying, “It would be nice to just have the option in Settings to switch it back off. Collectively, that’s a ton of battery life – and thus, electricity – to waste by Google’s hands.”
Seeking Solutions to Extend Battery Life
While it remains to be seen whether Google will address these battery concerns, there are several steps users can take to mitigate rapid battery depletion. Google itself has suggested eight settings adjustments that can help conserve battery life:
- Let your screen turn off sooner.
- Reduce screen brightness.
- Set the brightness to change automatically.
- Turn off keyboard sounds or vibrations.
- Restrict apps with high battery use.
- Turn on adaptive battery.
- Delete unused accounts.
- Turn on dark theme.
These settings are part of Google’s efforts to provide users with options to maximize their device’s battery life. By tweaking these settings, Android users can enjoy an improved device experience without the worry of their phone dying prematurely.
