Android Battery Woes Might Finally Be Over—Thanks to This Quiet Change
November 11, 2025
Your Android device’s battery life may soon see a significant improvement, thanks to a pivotal policy shift from Google regarding the Play Store. As smartphones evolve with larger battery capacities, the challenge of software efficiency continues to hinder optimal battery performance. This is particularly true for apps that are poorly optimized or excessively power-hungry. In response, Google is implementing comprehensive changes aimed at enhancing app performance and battery management on Android devices.
On November 10, Google announced an updated Play Store policy that introduces new performance checks for developers. A central focus of this initiative is the monitoring of excessive partial wake locks, which will become a technical quality standard enforced through the Google Play ecosystem.
Battery-Draining Apps Will Lose Play Store Visibility
Under this new framework, Google intends to identify and penalize applications that exhibit excessive wake locks or maintain screen-on time beyond two hours. Given that prolonged screen wake time is a leading cause of battery drain, this strategy specifically targets apps that overutilize device resources, thereby compromising battery longevity.
Google will label power-hungry or battery-draining apps in the Play Store, discouraging users from downloading them. Image source: Google
Apps that fail to meet these standards will experience reduced visibility within the Play Store. They will be demoted in listings, removed from featured sections, and receive less exposure overall, potentially leading to a decline in downloads. Additionally, Google plans to implement labels that indicate excessive power consumption, akin to existing warnings for unstable or crash-prone applications.
Developers Are Urged to Fix Harmful Apps
Beyond punitive measures, Google aims to empower developers by providing access to these performance metrics. This initiative is designed to assist developers in diagnosing and rectifying issues within their applications, fostering a mutually beneficial scenario for both developers and users.
The anticipated performance checks are expected to drive improvements in app optimization and service efficiency, ultimately enhancing battery life across Android devices. The new Play Store policy is set to take effect on March 1, 2026, aligning with the rollout of Android 17. In the meantime, Google will provide developers with documentation related to app metrics to facilitate their adaptation to these changes.
In addition to Play Store enforcement, Google has made strides in optimizing battery performance within the Android operating system. The adaptive battery system now restricts power to infrequently used apps, while Android 15 introduces advanced background restrictions and a more intelligent doze mode, both of which are designed to complement this forthcoming technical evolution.
What steps or measures do you take to extend your device’s battery life? Share your tips in the comments.
Android Battery Woes Might Finally Be Over—Thanks to This Quiet Change
Your Android device’s battery life may soon see a significant improvement, thanks to a pivotal policy shift from Google regarding the Play Store. As smartphones evolve with larger battery capacities, the challenge of software efficiency continues to hinder optimal battery performance. This is particularly true for apps that are poorly optimized or excessively power-hungry. In response, Google is implementing comprehensive changes aimed at enhancing app performance and battery management on Android devices.
On November 10, Google announced an updated Play Store policy that introduces new performance checks for developers. A central focus of this initiative is the monitoring of excessive partial wake locks, which will become a technical quality standard enforced through the Google Play ecosystem.
Battery-Draining Apps Will Lose Play Store Visibility
Under this new framework, Google intends to identify and penalize applications that exhibit excessive wake locks or maintain screen-on time beyond two hours. Given that prolonged screen wake time is a leading cause of battery drain, this strategy specifically targets apps that overutilize device resources, thereby compromising battery longevity.
Apps that fail to meet these standards will experience reduced visibility within the Play Store. They will be demoted in listings, removed from featured sections, and receive less exposure overall, potentially leading to a decline in downloads. Additionally, Google plans to implement labels that indicate excessive power consumption, akin to existing warnings for unstable or crash-prone applications.
Developers Are Urged to Fix Harmful Apps
Beyond punitive measures, Google aims to empower developers by providing access to these performance metrics. This initiative is designed to assist developers in diagnosing and rectifying issues within their applications, fostering a mutually beneficial scenario for both developers and users.
The anticipated performance checks are expected to drive improvements in app optimization and service efficiency, ultimately enhancing battery life across Android devices. The new Play Store policy is set to take effect on March 1, 2026, aligning with the rollout of Android 17. In the meantime, Google will provide developers with documentation related to app metrics to facilitate their adaptation to these changes.
In addition to Play Store enforcement, Google has made strides in optimizing battery performance within the Android operating system. The adaptive battery system now restricts power to infrequently used apps, while Android 15 introduces advanced background restrictions and a more intelligent doze mode, both of which are designed to complement this forthcoming technical evolution.
What steps or measures do you take to extend your device’s battery life? Share your tips in the comments.