Database Develop

[GUIDE] Fixing massive battery drain on 4.4.2 (requires root/custom recovery)

The 4.4.2 update brings a rather annoying bug in the Google location service. That's the thing that's used in things like Google Now, Google +, but also the weather widget and such. In previous versions of the system, this used to just wake the device in a configurable time interval, check current location and go to sleep again.
In 4.4.2, this service keeps a nonstop wakelock, updating your location every single moment. There's no setting to make it less aggressive. You can disable the location service in settings completely, but for me even this didn't work and it also disabled all location-dependent features of multiple apps and widgets.
Here's what I did to get rid of this absurd battery drain:
install Xposed if you haven't already (this step requires root or a custom recovery)
install Wakelock Terminator and enable it in Xposed
look for Google Play services in the list of apps and enable “Prevent Wake Lock” for this app
tap on “Filter Wake Lock” and enter the following text in the pop-up:
Code:
NlpCollectorWakeLock NlpWakeLock CheckinService NetworkLocationLocator
finally, reboot your phone
Wakelock Terminator lets you filter the wakelocks of a single app for free; if you want to limit the wakelocks of multiple apps, you'll have to make an in-app purchase.
There are other ways to get rid of the wakelock. You can freeze the offending app using Titanium. You can use the Per App Hacking Xposed module to completely disable all wakelocks for Google Play Services. Both of these, however, will break a lot of apps, including the market. Wakelock Terminator is the only Xposed module I found that lets you select which specific wakelocks to disable and which ones to allow and this is rather crucial, since the app uses other wakelocks that you don't want to disable.
There's also Greenify, you might want to check that out as well. However, greenify doesn't let you decide which aspects of an app to block and which ones to allow either. It just forces the app to freeze as soon as you don't have it in the foreground, which, in this case, means it blocks the app all the time (Google Play Services only provides background services as far as I know).

Thank you, I was planning to go back to 4.3 or even 4.2.2 cuz I have been barely getting a day when i used to get a good 2 with my use. I'll try it tonight

Is this guide for rooted phones only?
Sent from my HTC Butterfly s using xda app-developers app

lebmb said:
Thank you, I was planning to go back to 4.3 or even 4.2.2 cuz I have been barely getting a day when i used to get a good 2 with my use. I'll try it tonight
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly the same situation here. I used to get two days with a generous reserve (although not enough to last a third day) and was down to barely a single day with 4.4.2. This fix has made the mileage sgnificantly better on 4.4.2, although I think there's still some room for improvement.
sjred_uk said:
Is this guide for rooted phones only?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, unfortunately. You need either root or a custom recovery to install Xposed. I'll update the OP.

Thanks much appreciated

Thanks man! Great stuff! I choose this phone because it has HTC quality and a great great battery! Thanks for bringing that back!

elf_made said:
Thanks man! Great stuff! I choose this phone because it has HTC quality and a great great battery! Thanks for bringing that back!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for this, koniiiik. Battery drain no longer as crazy as before.

NlpCollectorWakeLock & NlpWakeLock are still at the two top places of Wakelockers

SkorpEaGLe said:
NlpCollectorWakeLock & NlpWakeLock are still at the two top places of Wakelockers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No idea. This got rid of them for me completely. Are you sure you haven't made a typo?
At any rate, Google Play services is still the top battery hog on my phone, keeping wakelocks for about 30% of time, which is still a lot. The culprits are Checkin Service and Event Log Service, I'll try to find out more about them to see if I can safely blacklist those as well.

SkorpEaGLe said:
NlpCollectorWakeLock & NlpWakeLock are still at the two top places of Wakelockers
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AFAIK, NlpCollectorWakeLock stands for Network location picker - it can be connected either with Google services (have to clear all data from gapps and google framework) or if the option of automatic wi-fi searching by google apps is enabled.

i am using the sixth sense rom right now
and there is a AppOps thing in settings
is it the same way as this guide does
if i just deny the the keep awake option for google play services?

kingkong0821 said:
i am using the sixth sense rom right now
and there is a AppOps thing in settings
is it the same way as this guide does
if i just deny the the keep awake option for google play services?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No idea. I guess it won't do exactly what you want, if you disable wakelocks for the whole Google Play services app, you won't get notifications from apps like gmail, hangouts, the market etc. Also, it depends on how it blocks the wakelocks – whether it raises an exceptions or simply silently ignores the request. In the former case, you'll be getting force closes from all apps using Google Play services all the time, in the latter case, it would work, but probably too aggressively.
Anyway, just try and see for yourself. It might work, it might not.

Has anyone tried a soft reset?
Seems to have worked for my stock unrooted Butterfly S.
Battery seems to be better than before the update.
Very relieved.
Sent from my HTC Butterfly s using xda app-developers app

So far no change in battery life for me, think it's time to go back to 4.2 or maybe viper 4.3 it was worth a shot though. Thanks for trying

Thanks dude
It's work for me
Last week i try to freeze all system apps
But no change
Sent from my HTC Butterfly s using Tapatalk 2

lebmb said:
So far no change in battery life for me, think it's time to go back to 4.2 or maybe viper 4.3 it was worth a shot though. Thanks for trying
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
YMMV, of course. Before following this guide, I recommend checking that Google Play services is indeed the culprit and that it is caused by the same wakelocks. It did improve things a lot for me, although not to the same efficiency as 4.3 or 4.2.

I haven't root my bs uet, but after turning off the stupid [OK Google] hotword detection, the battery will be a lot better
The setting is under Google Voice Search, if you don't see this setting, change your language to English (US)

Mine not rooted but this way works for me....I charged it full and plug it out, turn off my phone,
I wake up turn my phone on...and my battery suddenly became sooo much better.
Sent from my HTC Butterfly s using xda app-developers app

koniiiik said:
YMMV, of course. Before following this guide, I recommend checking that Google Play services is indeed the culprit and that it is caused by the same wakelocks. It did improve things a lot for me, although not to the same efficiency as 4.3 or 4.2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you know, i can never seem to tell what is really using up power, i've tried some apps but they didn't work well, the system one in the power settings is very vague and doesn't make sense. what do you or others use? anything reliable and trust worthy?
I haven't had time to downgrade, but too busy. I flashed the only custom kernel we have and i'm underclocked to 1024 and powersaver as the governor and still not making it past 10 hours. so sad

lebmb said:
you know, i can never seem to tell what is really using up power, i've tried some apps but they didn't work well, the system one in the power settings is very vague and doesn't make sense. what do you or others use? anything reliable and trust worthy?
I haven't had time to downgrade, but too busy. I flashed the only custom kernel we have and i'm underclocked to 1024 and powersaver as the governor and still not making it past 10 hours. so sad
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been using the GSam battery monitor app and it appears to work quite well. However, on 4.4, none of the apps in market are likely to work out of the box, for example, GSam requires you to install and use their root companion app to give any meaningful results. Alternately, you can try some of the Xposed modules that make access to the battery stats possible.

How to disable OTA lollipop without wakelock

If you decided to stick a bit longer with KK and lollipop OTA notification is bothering you - this is how you can disable it without wakelocking your phone.
Get something which disable service receivers/listeners (not just service like Disable Service app does). If you disable SystemUpdate service - this will wakelock your phone - thanks to Google wonderful design, which become "better and better".
But instead you disable 3 receivers for that service:
com.google.android.gms.update.SystemUpdateService$Receiver - this will run on boot completed.
com.google.android.gms.update.SystemUpdateService$ActiveReceiver - this will check for OTA on connectivity change.
com.google.android.gms.update.SystemUpdateService$SecretCodeReceiver - this will check for OTA when your phone "handles" the secret code.
So, by doing this, SystemUpdateService will never have a chance to get OTA and you phone will still sleep like a baby.
Now, what apps will allow to disable receivers? Well, I compiled my own Autostarts. It's old but still job can be done.
You can find something in play store or I can upload my autostarts if you want me to.
Anyway, in summary do not disable GooglePlayServices.SystemUpdate service just its 3 receivers.
EDIT: Here, this is autostarts I've compiled long time ago but still can be run on KK and of cause ads free. Well, you have to "hunt down" those 3 receivers. Just open up one by one and read if this is one of those 3 and then disable it.

Vlad_z said:
If you decided to stick a bit longer with KK and lollipop OTA notification is bothering you - this is how you can disable it without wakelocking your phone.
Get something which disable service receivers/listeners (not just service like Disable Service app does). If you disable SystemUpdate service - this will wakelock your phone - thanks to Google wonderful design, which become "better and better".
But instead you disable 3 receivers for that service:
com.google.android.gms.update.SystemUpdateService$Receiver - this will run on boot competed.
com.google.android.gms.update.SystemUpdateService$ActiveReceiver - this will check for OTA on connectivity change.
com.google.android.gms.update.SystemUpdateService$SecretCodeReceiver - this will check for OTA when your phone "handles" the secret code.
So, by doing this, SystemUpdateService will never have a chance to get OTA and you phone will still sleep like a baby.
Now, what apps will allow to disable receivers? Well, I compiled my own Autostarts. It's old but still job can be done.
You can find something in play store or I can upload my autostarts if you want me to.
Anyway, in summary do not disable GooglePlayServices.SystemUpdate service just its 3 receivers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd be interested in you uploading your compiled copy.

Thanks OP! I just used Autostarts and hunted for those 3 receivers. Now we wait and see if it worked.

It looks like it worked! I've rebooted 3 times since doing it and still no notification. Thanks again OP.

Vlad_z said:
If you decided to stick a bit longer with KK and lollipop OTA notification is bothering you - this is how you can disable it without wakelocking your phone.
Get something which disable service receivers/listeners (not just service like Disable Service app does). If you disable SystemUpdate service - this will wakelock your phone - thanks to Google wonderful design, which become "better and better".
But instead you disable 3 receivers for that service:
You can find something in play store or I can upload my autostarts if you want me to.
Anyway, in summary do not disable GooglePlayServices.SystemUpdate service just its 3 receivers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to receive your Autostarts.
I found several autostart apps on Play. Which is the one to install and use?

Anderson2 said:
I would like to receive your Autostarts.
I found several autostart apps on Play. Which is the one to install and use?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the one that I used, been using it for years. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.elsdoerfer.android.autostarts

Any free ones? I'm just planning to use it for one thing: the ota notification.

Anderson2 said:
Any free ones? I'm just planning to use it for one thing: the ota notification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ROM Toolbox Lite

Thank you very much. Worked perfectly.
Hope ota notice doesn't return.

Anderson2 said:
Any free ones? I'm just planning to use it for one thing: the ota notification.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Autostarts is free in F-Droid. And the method works perfect.

Thanks. I used RomToolbox lite which I already had. As you say, it's been perfect.

For those who need my autostarts.apk, I just added it to the first post.

Vlad_z said:
com.google.android.gms.update.SystemUpdateService$Receiver - this will run on boot completed.
com.google.android.gms.update.SystemUpdateService$ActiveReceiver - this will check for OTA on connectivity change.
com.google.android.gms.update.SystemUpdateService$SecretCodeReceiver - this will check for OTA when your phone "handles" the secret code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi, if it can help, I've "hunted" these receivers in:
After startup
Connectivity changed
Secret code entered

spaniard said:
Hi, if it can help, I've "hunted" these receivers in:
After startup
Connectivity changed
Secret code entered
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Disabling these 3 receivers in all those sections you mention, solves the wakelock issue?
Have you tested this throughout a full day?
Last time I tried this, I didn't disable all of them in all of those section.
My phone was awake 100% of the day...

Thanks Vlad_z and spaniard. These have to be disabled in both Play Services and Framework when they appear in each?

I found an easy method
I had already downloaded the one from the Play store, so I dont know about the APK in the OP..
But there is a... Yes... Search button, lol.
If you look for "SystemUpdate", it'll automatically look up all those receivers, and you're good to go.
Its working like a charm for me.
My 4.4.4 stock image is no longer checking for OTA or being kept awake.
Finally got my KitKat ART flying Nexus5 back.

ritchea said:
Thanks Vlad_z and spaniard. These have to be disabled in both Play Services and Framework when they appear in each?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just in Play Services.

Deleted. Sorry.

Just used the root/autostarts method today and can confirm that it works! Thanks for the help.

Thanks Vlad_z... working so far. Damn that notification was annoying. Nice work and thanks for the .apk

"Ok google" with screen off while unplugged? (Lollipop)

Is there a way to get this feature working like it does on the Nex6?
Currently (with all the Moto crap disabled) I can only get this functionality while plugged in.
Did they kill the feature in the lollipop build so we'd be forced to use their junkie Moto Voice hand-off system?

The.Yield said:
Is there a way to get this feature working like it does on the Nex6?
Currently (with all the Moto crap disabled) I can only get this functionality while plugged in.
Did they kill the feature in the lollipop build so we'd be forced to use their junkie Moto Voice hand-off system?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't speak for the specific version of Google Search that you have, but for versions on the '13 X, they have hotword detection completely disabled.
It turns out there is an internal flag to blacklist devices from turning on the option. I think more recently the version on the 13 allows hotword but does not allow the "from any screen" nor "while screen is off" options.
You used to be able to edit the flags with "unleash the google" But I don't know of this still works and it no longer maps all the settings to their names (meaning you just see config 1 config 2,etc)

OK Google works from any screen and while device off.
Make sure OK Google Detection is turned ON for any screen and off.

You prefer Google voice search over Moto Voice? Why?

martinezma99 said:
OK Google works from any screen and while device off.
Make sure OK Google Detection is turned ON for any screen and off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you have a link to a source/video showing that this works on the Moto X 2014?

zgroten said:
You prefer Google voice search over Moto Voice? Why?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because the response is much faster without the Moto middleware. I'm pissed that they disabled it. Why shouldn't I have a choice???

l_stevens said:
Because the response is much faster without the Moto middleware. I'm pissed that they disabled it. Why shouldn't I have a choice???
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I feel exactly the same way. Exactly.

Friends... Please see here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2967876
Sent from my XT1095 using Tapatalk

Delayed notifications

Is anyone else getting extremely delayed notifications on their Asus ROG Phone 2? I have noticed that notifications are taking about 10-15 minutes to finally pop up on the phone. If I go in to the apps, such as Google Voice, 2FA apps, PushBullet, Visual Voicemail, Outlook, GMail, etc... I see the information in the app, but the notifications still take a long time to actually pop up in the notification tray.

I had that happen in the beginning then I disabled all app manager stuff other than stock android battery optimization. So I disabled all the asus auto disable or mobile manager stuff. Just dig in the settings and fiddle around with it. I think the phone is still new so no one has a clear answer yet.

stealthj said:
I had that happen in the beginning then I disabled all app manager stuff other than stock android battery optimization. So I disabled all the asus auto disable or mobile manager stuff. Just dig in the settings and fiddle around with it. I think the phone is still new so no one has a clear answer yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm having an issue where I don't get notifications from any apps unless they are big like Facebook/Messenger and What's App... Anyone now how to resolve this?
I've allowed the apps to auto-start, they are not being optimised by the battery, all notifications are active but still not getting anything..?

RJ24CBA said:
I'm having an issue where I don't get notifications from any apps unless they are big like Facebook/Messenger and What's App... Anyone now how to resolve this?
I've allowed the apps to auto-start, they are not being optimised by the battery, all notifications are active but still not getting anything..?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Try the latest ROM.

albireox said:
Try the latest ROM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do you know what the latest version is? I can't find anywhere that confirms the latest one. I'm currently on WW 1908.12-0?

Weird auto disabling app issue

Keep having this problem...it just keep auto disabling random apps from time to time.....it's killing me. I enable it...than it got disable some time down the road.
From the attachment...u can see Snapseed and Google pay is being disabled
And Google clock alarm doesn't work despite repeated test....
Can someone advice

are you sure you have not turned on the Eco Mode ? it disables apps to save battery

Use app without installing, it is a feature from Google, not a bug. You choose on playstore to have that

natedogg20050 said:
are you sure you have not turned on the Eco Mode ? it disables apps to save battery
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just turned off smart saving mode and everything in auto freeze appp under battery settjng ...going to try it now. Hope it works

valentinrascu said:
Use app without installing, it is a feature from Google, not a bug. You choose on playstore to have that
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Never heard of this before.....can you explain more on this.
Very much appreciated

eijnaix said:
Never heard of this before.....can you explain more on this.
Very much appreciated
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think this is the issue. Be happy to be proven wrong. I have the same issue. Trying to use Google Pay at the checkout when it's been disabled/reset is embarrassing

I am using realme x2. If i'm using any application even system application like settings, etc,.. It automatically comes to the home page. Please resolve this problem.