battery health Archives

AppWizard

December 30, 2025

Essential Apps to Install First on Your New Android Phone

Google's Find My Device app is essential for Android phone users, providing security features such as locating a misplaced phone, playing a sound, and remotely locking or erasing data. The app's integration with Android has improved tracking accuracy and introduced features like offline finding and compatibility with Bluetooth trackers. Other recommended apps for a well-rounded Android setup include Bitwarden for password management, Solid Explorer for file management, Google Keep for note-taking, and Signal for secure messaging. Productivity apps like Microsoft’s SwiftKey keyboard and Todoist for task management are also highlighted. Customization options include Nova Launcher, while performance optimization can be achieved with Greenify. Privacy-focused tools include DuckDuckGo Privacy Browser and Authy for two-factor authentication. Emerging trends suggest increased AI integration in apps and innovations for foldable devices. Regular maintenance apps like CCleaner and update managers are recommended for long-term device health.

Winsage

November 25, 2025

I forced myself to run Windows 11, and to be honest, I don’t miss much about Windows 10

Windows 10 reached the end of its support, prompting an upgrade to Windows 11. Windows 11 is faster, with performance improvements claimed to be up to 2.3 times quicker than Windows 10, particularly on modern hardware. Boot times improved from 40 seconds to under 20 seconds. Battery life enhancements are reported, especially for modern devices. The Microsoft Store has been redesigned for a better user experience, allowing app uninstallation directly from the Store. The Start menu and Taskbar have been redesigned, with a more organized layout that enhances usability. The new context menu includes dedicated icons for frequently used functions. The classic Control Panel is missed, as its functionality has largely moved to the Settings app, which some find less simple. Overall, the upgrade to Windows 11 is considered worthwhile despite some areas needing refinement.

AppWizard

November 20, 2025

CCleaner – Phone Cleaner For Android

CCleaner for Android, developed by Piriform, has a rating of 4.6 stars and over 100 million downloads. It offers features such as cleaning unnecessary files, reclaiming storage space, analyzing application impact, managing photo libraries, monitoring system performance, and a user-friendly interface. The app includes customizable themes and uses Accessibility permissions to assist users with disabilities. It is free and suitable for all ages.

Winsage

October 6, 2025

5 hidden features in Windows you probably didn’t know about

- ClickLock allows users to mimic a sustained mouse click by holding down the mouse button for about a second, enabling actions like text highlighting without continuous pressure. - Windows 11 includes screen savers that can be activated after a period of inactivity, with options like 3D Text, Bubbles, Mystify, Photos, and Ribbons. - The "God Mode Folder" provides a centralized view of various Windows settings and Control Panel utilities within File Explorer, created by renaming a folder to "GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}". - Users can generate a detailed battery report by opening Command Prompt as an administrator and entering the command "powercfg /batteryreport," which saves the report in the System32 folder. - File History allows users to maintain a continuously synchronized backup of their libraries by connecting an external or network drive, automating the backup process and enabling restoration of previous file versions.

AppWizard

September 22, 2025

How to Stop Android Battery Optimization from Killing Apps

Users and developers managing Android devices must navigate the balance between battery life and app functionality. Android's aggressive power-saving features can mute notifications or suspend background processes, leading to a state known as “sleeping.” To maintain app functionality, users can exempt specific applications from battery optimization through the Settings app under “Battery” or “Apps & notifications.” This feature, introduced in Android 6.0 Marshmallow, allows apps to operate seamlessly in the background. For example, disabling sleep mode for essential apps like WhatsApp can prevent missed notifications. Samsung's Adaptive Battery is particularly aggressive, often pushing unused apps into a “deep sleep” state after a few days, which can disrupt vital functions. Users may need to manually exempt applications in Samsung’s “Device care” settings. Other manufacturers like Huawei and Xiaomi impose similar restrictions, while Google’s stock Android offers more straightforward adjustments. Developers can incorporate foreground services or request permissions like “android.permission.WAKE_LOCK” to keep apps awake, balancing user privacy and battery health. Android’s Doze mode activates during inactivity and organizes background tasks into maintenance windows, but apps can request exemptions. Monitoring battery usage statistics can help identify problematic apps. In enterprise environments, tools like Ivanti’s mobile device management can automate these settings. Combining exemptions with notification settings ensures that apps remain active, although blanket exemptions may lead to faster battery depletion. The dynamic between operating system efficiency and app demands continues to evolve, particularly with Android 14’s enhanced foreground service requirements.

AppWizard

September 17, 2025

How To Make Your Own Custom Android Widgets

Widgets are applications on the Home screen that can control music and display battery metrics. Users can create their own widgets using third-party applications like KWGT Kustom Widget Maker, which has over 10 million downloads and a 3.9-star rating, and WidgetClub, which has over a million downloads and a 4.7-star rating. Both apps have in-app purchases. To create a widget with KWGT, users need to download and install the app, access the widget menu, select a widget size, and customize it by adding elements and actions. KWGT also allows for advanced features like coding designs and layering elements. Both KWGT and WidgetClub offer support documentation for users.

Winsage

July 22, 2025

9 features I want Microsoft to add and improve in Windows 11

Windows 11 has received several feature updates, with version 25H2 upcoming, but it still lacks many user-requested features. Key issues include: 1. Users want more control over Windows Update, including the ability to disable automatic updates or schedule them flexibly. 2. There is a demand for the option to set up devices with a local account instead of being forced to use a Microsoft account. 3. Users miss the ability to resize the Taskbar, which is currently fixed in size. 4. The option to relocate the Taskbar to the top of the screen has been removed, and users want this flexibility restored. 5. A fully consistent dark mode across the operating system is desired, along with customizable live tiles. 6. Users would benefit from charging limit options for laptops to extend battery lifespan. 7. The settings page for File Explorer needs modernization to align with the Windows 11 aesthetic. 8. There is a call for a variant of Windows 11 that supports older PCs that do not meet current hardware requirements.

Winsage

July 20, 2025

10 useful Windows built-in tools you’ve never used

- Windows Memory Diagnostic tests RAM for errors that may cause system crashes or freezes. It can be launched by typing "Windows Memory Diagnostic" in the Start Menu or using the Run Command with mdsched.exe. - Resource Monitor provides detailed insights into CPU, RAM, disk activity, and network bandwidth, helping identify resource-consuming applications. It can be accessed through Task Manager or the Windows search box. - Reliability Monitor displays a timeline of system stability, including software installations, updates, crashes, and hardware errors, aiding in troubleshooting. It can be found by searching in the Start bar or through Control Panel > Security and Maintenance. - DirectX Diagnostic Tool offers information about GPU, audio drivers, and DirectX version, useful for diagnosing gaming-related issues. It can be launched by pressing Win + R and typing dxdiag. - Credential Manager securely manages Windows login credentials and network login information. It can be accessed by searching for "Credential Manager" in the Start bar or through Control Panel. - God Mode consolidates over 200 system settings into a single folder, accessible by creating a new folder and renaming it to GodMode.{ED7BA470-8E54-465E-825C-99712043E01C}. - Local Group Policy Editor allows advanced customization of Windows settings for Pro or Enterprise users. It can be launched by pressing Win + R and typing gpedit.msc. - Computer Management Console provides access to various system tools like Device Manager and Disk Management. It can be opened by right-clicking the Start button or using Win + R with compmgmt.msc. - Powercfg Tool diagnoses battery issues and provides reports on battery usage and health. It can generate a report by running powercfg /batteryreport in Command Prompt. - System Configuration (msconfig) allows users to control Windows boot options and troubleshoot startup issues. It can be launched by pressing Win + R and typing msconfig.

AppWizard

May 29, 2025

Google says updating Instagram app will fix Android battery drain issue

Many Android users have reported significant battery drain caused by the Instagram app, with Google confirming that Instagram is responsible for this issue. Users have shared experiences on platforms like Reddit, noting that Instagram can account for a large percentage of battery usage in a short time compared to other apps. Some users attempted to revert to older versions of Instagram, which led to overheating issues, while others switched to Instagram Lite for better battery performance. In response to these concerns, Google advised users to update to Instagram version 382.0.0.49.84, which has reportedly resolved the battery drain problem for many. This incident follows earlier battery-related issues faced by Pixel phone users, highlighting ongoing performance challenges linked to app updates. Users are encouraged to keep their Instagram app updated and monitor battery usage by applications.

AppWizard

May 15, 2025

Going contactless? Here’s how to set up Google Wallet on Android

Google Wallet is a digital wallet application for Android users that stores payment cards, boarding passes, loyalty cards, and more in a secure interface. Setting it up involves downloading the app, adding payment cards, and enabling contactless payments, with a smooth transition for existing Google Pay users. The app also allows users to check battery health and manage personal data visibility in Google searches. For Pixel users, it integrates with the Google Pixel 9's Reimagine AI feature for enhanced photo editing.