In recent weeks, a growing number of Android users have reported a troubling trend: the Instagram app has been significantly draining their device batteries. Anecdotal evidence from platforms like Reddit highlights stark contrasts in battery consumption between Instagram and other applications. For instance, one user with a Samsung Galaxy A53 noted that Instagram accounted for 12.4% of battery usage during just 54 minutes of screen time, while WhatsApp, with a comparable usage duration of 49 minutes, consumed only 2.4%.
As concerns mounted, users attempted various solutions, including reverting to older versions of the app. Unfortunately, this approach often led to unexpected consequences, such as increased device heating. Some users even turned to Instagram Lite, reporting a marked improvement in battery performance, which further indicated that the primary app was at the heart of the issue.
Google’s Response
In light of these developments, Google has officially acknowledged the problem and issued a recommendation for users to update their Instagram app. The advisory, titled “Battery drain on Android devices,” emphasizes the importance of downloading the latest version, specifically build 382.0.0.49.84, to mitigate the battery drain concerns.
Since the rollout of this update, feedback from users has been largely positive, with many indicating that the battery drain issue has been effectively resolved. This swift response from Google and Instagram underscores the importance of maintaining app performance and user satisfaction in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.