battery drain Archives

AppWizard

October 3, 2026

Google rounds the week out with Android 17 QPR 3 Beta 1

Google has released the Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 for Pixel testers, supporting devices from the Pixel 6a to the Pixel 11 series. Most devices receive build DP11.260918.006, while the Pixel 11 family uses DP11.260918.005. The update focuses on bug fixes, including issues with audio output device switching, crashes when starting foreground services, excessive spacing in app icons, failures in displaying app previews, NFC service crashes, device freezes with fingerprint unlock, crashes in Face Unlock settings, MediaPlayer crashes, application freezes, camera feed rotation issues, UI glitches, unexpected dots on the Mobile Data icon, front camera malfunctions, crashes in calling apps, eSIM profile issues, excessive battery drain with Flip to Shh, crashes in the Settings app, audio playback interruptions on Bluetooth devices, loss of cellular service, and Wi-Fi connectivity failures. Users can register for the beta through Google’s Android Beta for Pixel program but should back up data. They can unenroll to revert to a stable version. Preliminary findings suggest new features, including gamepad control of the cursor and potential phone unlock integration.

AppWizard

October 3, 2026

Google already rolling out Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 for Pixel

Google has released the Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1, following the QPR2 release, with a stable version expected in March 2027. The beta includes several enhancements and fixes, such as: - Functional audio output device switching during playback from apps without active media controls. - Stabilized foreground service initiation from Quick Settings tiles. - Adjusted application icons in the app menu to reduce excessive spacing. - Reliable app previews in the recent apps screen. - Improved NFC service stability. - Optimized fingerprint sensor unlocking to prevent device freezes. - Refined Face Unlock settings to avoid crashes. - Enhanced MediaPlayer functionality for non-ASCII audio attribute tags. - Improved application launch stability to reduce ANR errors. - Correct functioning of video calling apps without camera feed rotation in desktop mode. - Streamlined user interface navigation back to the home screen. - Corrected Mobile Data icon anomalies in Quick Settings. - Screen recording now supports front camera functionality. - Stabilized calling apps to prevent crashes after device reboot. - Addressed eSIM profile activation issues. - Minimized battery drain during idle with Flip to Shh enabled. - Stabilized access to battery settings in the Settings app. - Improved audio playback consistency on LHDC v5 Bluetooth devices. - Mitigated cellular service disruptions due to modem reporting issues. - Enhanced Wi-Fi connectivity for automatic reconnections during background wakes. The Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 system images are available for various Pixel devices, including the Pixel 6a, Pixel 7 series, Pixel Tablet, and Pixel 8 models. Users can report issues through the Android Beta Feedback app and join the Android Beta Program for OTA updates. Opting out of the Beta program after installation will result in a data wipe, while opting out before installation will not.

AppWizard

October 3, 2026

Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 gives us an early look at next year’s Pixel updates

Google has begun the rollout of Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 for Pixel devices, including models from the Pixel 6a to the Pixel 11 family, with most devices receiving build DP11.260918.006 and Pixel 11 users receiving DP11.260918.005. The QPR updates are quarterly enhancements aimed at refining performance and addressing issues without breaking changes to the API. Google is addressing a range of issues in this beta version, including crashes, fingerprint freezes, eSIM problems, Wi-Fi failures, battery drain, and Bluetooth audio glitches. A stable release is targeted for March 2027. Specific issues being worked on include: - Audio output device switching problems. - Crashes when starting foreground services from Quick Settings. - Excessive spacing in app icons. - App previews failing to display in recent apps. - NFC service crashes. - Device freezes with fingerprint unlocking. - Crashes in Face Unlock settings. - MediaPlayer crashes with non-ASCII audio tags. - Applications freezing and triggering ANR errors. - Camera feed rotation issues in video calling apps. - User interface problems when returning to the home screen. - Unexpected dot on the Mobile Data icon. - Front camera malfunction during screen recording. - Crashes in calling apps after device reboot. - eSIM profile enabling issues. - Excessive battery drain with Flip to Shh enabled. - Crashes in the Settings app when accessing battery settings. - Audio playback interruptions on Bluetooth devices. - Crash loops and loss of cellular service related to SIM slot indices. - Wi-Fi reconnection failures during background wakes. Users can expect a stable release by early next year and are advised to remain on the stable channel until the public QPR2 launch if they prefer not to participate in the beta.

AppWizard

October 2, 2026

Here’s everything new in Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1 [Gallery]

Google has begun the rollout of Android 17 QPR3 Beta 1, with a stable release expected in March 2027. The beta includes a new Notes Quick Settings Tile for the Pixel 11 series, while the previous Notes lockscreen shortcut and homescreen widget remain exclusive to Pixel 11 devices. Changes to the status bar include a bolder VPN icon and enlarged Bluetooth and Airplane Mode icons. The Gemini Intelligence boot animation is now available on the Pixel 10 series. Several fixes have been implemented, addressing issues such as audio output device switching, app crashes, excessive spacing in application icons, NFC service crashes, device freezes with fingerprint unlock, and Wi-Fi connectivity problems.

AppWizard

September 29, 2026

How to improve your Android phone’s battery life

Many Android users experience rapid battery drain, which can be addressed through simple adjustments. Key factors contributing to battery consumption include high display brightness and apps that refresh in the background. To improve battery life, users can manually lower brightness, enable auto-brightness, reduce screen timeout to 30 seconds, switch from a 120Hz to a 60Hz refresh rate, and enable dark mode on OLED or AMOLED screens. Two system features, Battery Saver and Adaptive Battery, can also enhance battery life by limiting activity and learning app usage patterns. For long-term battery health, users should charge their devices between 20% and 80% and consider using a charging cap feature to prevent overcharging. Identifying power-hungry apps through the battery usage settings can help pinpoint issues, and users can set background usage limits or put apps in sleep mode. Running a battery test can determine if the battery needs replacement if the status is less than Normal.

Winsage

September 28, 2026

Windows 11 preview update causes black screen after sign-in; Microsoft publishes workaround

On September 24, Microsoft reported an issue affecting devices that installed the August 27 preview update for Windows 11, causing a black screen after sign-in and preventing the desktop from loading correctly. This issue primarily impacts Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) hosts using FSLogix with existing user profiles. The affected OS versions are Windows 11 versions 26H1, 25H2, and 24H2, and the causal update is KB5120998. Microsoft has issued interim workarounds, including a manual desktop launch and a Known Issue Rollback (KIR), which will be automatically delivered to non-enterprise devices. Affected enterprise-managed devices require manual deployment of the KIR policy. The black screen issue is part of a series of update-related problems for Windows 11 in 2026, while Windows 10 has experienced fewer issues during the same timeframe.

Winsage

September 25, 2026

Sorry Microsoft. Windows 10 is more stable than Windows 11, and your recent updates have made it obvious

Windows 11's September update, released on the 8th, has caused various issues, including problems with Remote Desktop, USB audio, and Linux/WSL applications. Failures in File History, crashes of Explorer.exe, and instability with AMD GPUs were also reported. An emergency update was issued on September 14 but did not resolve all issues. Over nine months, Windows 11 updates have resulted in numerous bugs, while Windows 10 has experienced significantly fewer issues. Specific problems with Windows 11 included black screens and authentication issues in January, Microsoft account sign-in issues in March, BitLocker recovery problems in April and May, boot failures in June, and compatibility problems in July. August saw game crashes linked to third-party drivers, and September was marked by extensive issues requiring an emergency update. Windows 10 continues to receive updates and has a commitment to Extended Security Updates until October 12, 2027. The stability of Windows 10 is attributed to fewer significant changes compared to the ongoing enhancements in Windows 11.

BetaBeacon

September 24, 2026

Qualcomm’s New Mobile Chip Could Make 2027 Android Phones Better At Gaming And On-Device AI

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 chips can process more AI features on the phone itself, making responses quicker and keeping more data on the device. The Extreme chip's AI processor has 50% more memory to handle tasks independently, and the graphics chip includes AI-dedicated cores for gaming. The chip allows for 8K video recording at 60 frames per second and 4K slow motion at 240 frames per second. Manufacturers have the option to choose between the Extreme chip for advanced features or a standard chip for more budget-friendly smartphones.

AppWizard

September 19, 2026

The Ultimate APK Safety Checklist Every Android User Needs

Downloading an APK file allows Android users to access various applications, including those not available in official app stores. Users should consider the source, developer credibility, and requested permissions before installation. APK files are the format used by Android for app installation, and users may download them for reasons such as regional restrictions, needing older versions, or testing beta releases. APK files are not inherently unsafe; the risks arise from unknown sources, which may contain malware, tracking software, or other harmful elements. To ensure safety, users should verify the origin of the file, the developer's identity, and the permissions requested by the app. They should also scan APK files with security tools and be cautious of warning signs like unrealistic promises or missing developer information. A checklist before installation includes researching the app name, confirming the developer, reviewing permissions, checking security information, and monitoring the app after installation. Safe practices involve downloading from official sources, avoiding unknown websites, and keeping Android security updates current. Trusted information sources can help users make better decisions regarding APK files.

AppWizard

September 19, 2026

Why I still install this third-party battery app on my Android phones in 2026

AccuBattery is a battery management app that helps users identify and diagnose software and hardware issues draining their device's battery. It offers a distinct approach by using pattern recognition over time for data gathering, which can yield more accurate insights compared to built-in tools. AccuBattery provides detailed statistics, including mAh consumption of each app, current, temperature, and voltage, facilitating easier diagnosis of potential hardware issues. Users can benefit from using AccuBattery alongside built-in tools, as each may catch what the other overlooks. The app includes a charge alarm feature that notifies users when their battery reaches 80%, promoting better battery longevity. However, AccuBattery relies on observational data, which may not always be perfectly accurate. It is not categorically superior or inferior to built-in tools but offers depth of detail that can be beneficial for users facing persistent battery issues.