battery health Archives

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.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Google won’t bring Android 16’s Battery Health page to older Pixels

Android 16 will introduce a Battery Health page for Pixel phone users, displaying estimated battery capacity as a real-time percentage. This feature will be available only on the Pixel 8a and newer models, including the Pixel 9 series, while older models will not have access due to product limitations. The Battery Health page will be integrated into the Settings app and will provide detailed analytics on battery performance, including a status indicator and links to support articles. Newer Pixel devices can endure up to 1,000 charge cycles, while older models are rated for a maximum of 800 charge cycles. The feature is currently available in Beta 3 for the Pixel 8a and Pixel 9 devices.

AppWizard

April 18, 2025

Android 16 Beta 4 Arrives with AOD Theming, App Drawer Shortcut, and More

Google's Android 16 Beta 4 is being rolled out to Pixel 6 and newer devices, introducing enhancements aimed at improving user experience and security. Key updates include an enhanced Always on Display (AOD) feature with dynamic theming, the Themed icons toggle moving out of beta, a new Apps list shortcut in the Pixel launcher, and new options in the recent menu for Screenshot and Select. The Gesture Navigation page has been updated with a tutorial demo, and the Quick Settings Media Player artwork has been darkened. Some users have reported the removal of the Battery Health feature from the Battery Settings page, although it is still available on certain devices.

Winsage

February 25, 2025

This Windows 11 battery app just got a major upgrade, including more support for the Surface Pro 11 and Surface Laptop 7

Microsoft is enhancing the battery icon for Windows 11, while the third-party application "Battery Flyout" by Michał Łeptuch provides deeper insights into battery health. The app allows users to toggle power modes and offers detailed charts of battery usage over time. Recently, Battery Flyout received an update that includes a functional power slider on ARM64 devices, the ability to generate a comprehensive battery report, minor stability and performance enhancements, and new settings for customizing the tray icon style. Battery Flyout can display battery percentage, a feature currently being tested in Windows 11. Michał Łeptuch is also known for developing other applications like Calendar Flyout and Fluent Emoji Gallery, among others, to enhance the Windows 11 experience.

Winsage

December 12, 2024

7 settings to change on your Windows 11 PC to maximize battery life

Windows PCs, particularly newer laptop models, have improved battery performance, but users often experience reduced battery life over time. A three-year-old Windows laptop may drop from six to seven hours of screen time to struggling to reach three hours. Software adjustments can help maximize battery life. 1. Lowering screen brightness to around 30-40% can extend battery life. 2. The Battery Saver option in Windows 11 can be manually enabled to disable power-hungry activities. 3. Reducing display and sleep timeout settings can conserve energy. 4. Disabling unnecessary startup applications can save battery resources. 5. Turning off animation effects can improve battery life, especially on older devices. 6. Shutting down the laptop instead of just closing the lid can prevent unexpected battery drain. 7. Changing the power mode from Balanced to Best power efficiency can significantly extend battery life.

Winsage

December 9, 2024

Windows 11 for Arm can run natively on specific Android smartphones — the test device heats up very fast, and battery life substantially decreases

User anh0l demonstrated running Windows 11 on Arm from a Xiaomi Poco X3 smartphone, which retains a split partition for Android and has a functioning UEFI. Users reported touchscreen control issues, particularly with inverted functionality on the right side, and temperature spikes reaching approximately 48 degrees Celsius (118 degrees Fahrenheit) during testing. Other Android smartphones have also experienced similar temperature levels. The Xiaomi Poco X3 can run Valve's retired Source engine at 30 FPS but struggles with Source 2-based Counter-Strike 2. Compatibility is better with Snapdragon 800 Series or newer CPUs, while older models are less effective. The shared architecture between Snapdragon CPUs in Windows Arm laptops and Android devices allows for this crossover, though driver support is incomplete. Despite high temperatures, anh0l claims the experience "runs flawlessly," with web browsing and basic Blender animations functioning smoothly at 120 Hz, impacting battery life and device temperature.

AppWizard

October 16, 2024

Android 15 Can Now Screen Record a Single App

Google has introduced a new feature in Android 15 that allows users to record the screen of a single app, improving upon the previous functionality that captured the entire display. This feature helps avoid interruptions from notifications and accidental app switches. In the Android 15 Quarterly Platform Release (QPR1), currently in beta, a timer will be displayed in the notification bar to indicate recording duration, and stopping a recording can now be done by tapping the timer instead of pulling down the notification shade. Additionally, a new security measure prevents screen recordings from third-party apps when the device is locked, enhancing user privacy. The updates are expected to roll out before the end of the year, with the first quarterly platform release anticipated around December. Android 15 QPR1 will also include an option to limit daily charging to 80% for better battery health.

Winsage

September 28, 2024

The 4 best tools to check the battery health of your Windows laptop

The text discusses various tools for monitoring laptop battery health and longevity. 1. Battery Report Tool: A built-in Windows tool that provides a comprehensive overview of battery health, longevity, and usage patterns. It can be accessed via Command Prompt with the command powercfg /batteryreport, generating an HTML report that includes key metrics like Design Capacity and Full Charge Capacity. 2. BatteryCare: A third-party application that offers insights into battery health, including current capacity, total capacity, battery wear level, and charge cycles. It allows users to monitor voltage levels. 3. BatteryInfoView: A straightforward tool that displays essential battery information, such as current charge capacity, full charge capacity, battery health, and wear level. It includes a Show Battery Log feature for tracking charge and discharge events. 4. Smarter Battery: An application that provides a visual interface for tracking battery performance in real-time, with features for alerts and power management. Users can focus on specific periods and review the start of the monitoring session. Regular maintenance and monitoring of battery health are emphasized as crucial for enhancing battery lifespan and ensuring device reliability.

Winsage

August 12, 2024

10 Windows PowerShell commands you need to be using

Microsoft PowerShell is a command-line tool integrated into Windows 11 that replaces the traditional Command Prompt and enhances automation capabilities. - PowerShell can back up drivers and integrate them into a Windows ISO for reinstalls. - It simplifies the management of Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT) with a single command. - PowerShell can remove bloatware from Windows to optimize system performance. - Users can back up device drivers using the command: Export-WindowsDriver -Online -Destination "full path of the backup folder". - Server administrators can install RSAT tools with the command: Get-WindowsCapability -Name RSAT* -Online | Add-WindowsCapability -Online. - PowerShell can remove unwanted applications through a script. - Users can disable Hyper-V virtualization with the command: bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off. - Administrators can delete user accounts using the command: Remove-LocalUser -Name "USERNAME". - Users can generate a battery health report with the command: powercfg /batteryreport /output "C:battery_report.html". - The Windows Package Manager (Winget) is integrated into PowerShell for managing software installations.