Database Develop

[Q] One of these apps is killing my battery, which one?

I got a new Captivate a couple weeks ago now. Since then my battery life has been less than 12 hours on stock 2.1, stock 2.2, Paragon RC6 and Serendipity 5.12.
Yesterday I decided to wipe the phone and start off with stock apps then slowly add them back in each day. So far, I'm 5 hours unplugged and still have 86% battery (stock apps) after using some GPS, some WiFi, 3 phone calls for a total of about 20 minutes, some browsing and some text messaging. THIS IS HOW THE PHONE SHOULD BE WORKING. Therefore, one of the apps I normally have installed is being an asshole. However, this is going to take me forever to slowly add each one back in and monitor them to see what is killing my battery.
Does anyone have an idea of what it might be from the following (I didn't list what comes on the default Serendipity ROM because it obviously isn't anything already on it):
3G Watchdog
Adobe Reader
Advanced Task Killer
Angry Birds
AppBrain Market
Barcode Scanner
Beautiful Widgets
BLN Control
Cineplex Mobile
ConvertPad
Documents To Go
Dropbox
Google Earth
Evernote
Facebook
GasBuddy
Google Goggles
Google Sky Map
Google Translate
GPS Test
KeePassDroid
Lookout
Mint.com
Rogers My Account
Google Reader (not setup to sync)
ShootMe
Google Shopper
Skype
SoundHound
Spaghetti Marshmallo
Spare Parts
Tip Calculator
Titanium Backup
Twitter
Unblock Me

morrty said:
*3G Watchdog
Advanced Task Killer
*AppBrain Market
Google Earth
*Facebook
Google Goggles
Google Sky Map
*Lookout
Google Shopper
*Skype
*Twitter
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
*=Suspicious. Any of these could be the culprit(s) since they access the internet/network, but ones like Twitter and Facebook that update regularly are most suspect.

Do you keep skype connected? I would imagine it would use a lot of power if left connected.
What is your refresh interval set for in facebook?
Have you made sure to flash or reset with a full battery? The first time i did a factory reset, i did it with a half battery and my captivate would only last about 6h with light usage. After resetting with a full battery I could go 14-16 hours with similar usage.
Another issue ive seen is if you are in a low signal area that can also cause higher battery drain.

I'd suggest installing osmonitor from market and see what apps are running and eating up resources.
I previously had appbrain issues where it was running constantly at 5-10% of the cpu's resources but just uninstalled and reinstalled and all seems ok now. ymmv...
sent from my captivate using the xda app

Miami_Son said:
*3G Watchdog
Advanced Task Killer
*AppBrain Market
Google Earth
*Facebook
Google Goggles
Google Sky Map
*Lookout
Google Shopper
*Skype
*Twitter
*=Suspicious. Any of these could be the culprit(s) since they access the internet/network, but ones like Twitter and Facebook that update regularly are most suspect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ones in red definatly, blue meh... with the built in memory management/ tweaked management in updated newer/custom roms, task killers use more power than they save.
Android has their own online market with push installs now. AppBrain not needed. https://market.android.com/
destrorox said:
I'd suggest installing osmonitor from market and see what apps are running and eating up resources.
I previously had appbrain issues where it was running constantly at 5-10% of the cpu's resources but just uninstalled and reinstalled and all seems ok now. ymmv...
sent from my captivate using the xda app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
see above...

The blue ones could also be battery vampires because they access the network/wifi. Depends on how often they are set to sync data.

Thanks for the suggestions, I think what I'll do first is install everything that isn't suspicious from what you guys advised against and monitor that. Then I'll slowly add back the suspicious apps.
By the way, I'm going on 12 hours now and only at 74%. Usually my phone would be dead by now. This is with moderate use too. I just got off an hour long phone call with my brother after we both put our phones in speaker phone mode and owned kids on Black Ops.

don't forget beautiful widgets. stock setting were to update weather every 15 min. that is a lot of data over the course of a full day.
i found that one would kill my battery.

Tenchuu said:
don't forget beautiful widgets. stock setting were to update weather every 15 min. that is a lot of data over the course of a full day.
i found that one would kill my battery.
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Click to collapse
+1
weather apps are battery killers. I uninstalled mine and went from 10hours to two days between charges.

@morrty, be sure to let us know your results.

I definitely will, it just may be a little while because I'm calibrating the battery by doing a full run down and full charge. I'm actually having a hard time running down the battery now.
Currently sitting at 45% @ 29 hours.
Incredible, I can't wait to single out that asshole app.

So far, I've installed all of the non suspicious apps. My battery started draining a little bit faster but not to the point it was before. It still seems like normal use. 7% drain overnight. 4% more since waking up, showering and coming to work.
Latitude was a huge offender I found. Even with the auto check-in disabled, it kept the phone in a partial wake-lock.
I've still got more testing to do but I'll update when I find out more.

Looks like it was a mix of facebook, twitter, latitude and dropbox.
Thanks for the help guys.

Optimizing Battery Life

My wife has just bought this phone and was just wondering what can be done to it to maximise the battery life without sacrificing too much?
Currently I'm thinking of installing an app called Power Toggles that allows toggling of things like Bluetooth, NFC, Wifi, etc.
I understand it's got a battery saver built in but unsure if it disables sync or not. Sync is required for emails, syncing Chrome stuff, etc.

I get 2 days with 4-6 hours screen on and do not use any kind of this crappy "battery safe" tools! Only NFC is off. And I sync with 4 email accounts every 5 minutes between 8am and 10pm.
What other apps do you have installed?

Its currently at complete factory settings with no apps installed. I'll just tweak around on it and see how it goes.

I have disabled the most crapware, like unused Google Apps, Linked In, Twitter, Dropbox, Face**** and so on ...

Yeah the HTC Sense Twitter, FB, etc I've managed to disable. For some reason, I'm unable to disable Blinkfeed!
Turned battery saving mode on (not the extreme saver) as it still allows sync whilst turning things off when the phones not in use as well as underclocking the CPU.
How do I disable Google Play Games?
I couldn't find it listed.

Also what other HTC Sense related stuff can be disabled?

For me Blinkfeed replaced the GenieWidget, but I use Nova as Launcher (see Screenshot). And here is my list of disabled apps.

I just can't disable Blink Feed.

Why you would like disable Blinkfeed? Use any other launcher and all is fine.

Because it's horrible and if the feeds can easily be accessed by opening the relevant apps. Just won't let me completely disable it. I don't want to replace it with another one, I don't want any at all.

Could I install a Google launcher without rooting it?

theme
tomatende2001 said:
For me Blinkfeed replaced the GenieWidget, but I use Nova as Launcher (see Screenshot). And here is my list of disabled apps.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
could I ask what Nova theme you are using on the screenshot thanks

Standard Nova theme.

tomatende2001 said:
Standard Nova theme.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks

Wutang200 said:
I understand it's got a battery saver built in but unsure if it disables sync or not. Sync is required for emails, syncing Chrome stuff, etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah the built in 'Power Saver [1]' and 'Extreme Power Saver [2]' apps kill background sync/WiFi/data when the screen is off [1] and when the app is activated [2].
I use [1] as standard and it's really good for battery life, usually lasting me 2-3 days with minimal use or 1 day with heavy use. The sync is only killed when the screen is off so you receive notifications all at once when you check your phone so you're in control. As part of this, you can set [2] to activate at a particular % of remaining battery to further conserve power.
I'm also using Nova Launcher Prime as its much smoother and cleaner than BlinkFeed and probably uses less resources.
Sent from my HTC One mini 2 using XDA Free mobile app

What is the best battery for Z1?

Hello. I'm new here. I would like to know what is the most appropriate android version and rom on Z1? I came from Xperia T2 Ultra still have it. Usually I get around 8-9-10hrs Screen on time. At 10+% I think. Thats mixed with some texting, brwosing web, youtube, album pictures, some.camera, wifi always on with facebook on and little gaming. with Stamina Mode plus.Queue checked. Well when I got the Z1 battery life was terrible. Usually I got 6hrs on screen. @720p resolution. with wifi.only.browsing and texting. Battery test app by Sony has Pass remarks on all testimg what could.be.the.problem here? Thank you. Well I repaired it with companion to see if it improves tomorrow or the next day. Please help me.on.my Z1 currently on .216 firmware. Help please.

That's the price you have to pay the awesome performance and features . Besides 6hrs SOT is pretty great on z1(I usually only get 5-5.5hrs).

Yup 6 hours of SOT is pretty good on this device

DorianX said:
Yup 6 hours of SOT is pretty good on this device
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the reply but is it the only.possible way????? Anyway to improve that? Currently disappointed about the battery life...

masterofnocrack said:
That's the price you have to pay the awesome performance and features . Besides 6hrs SOT is pretty great on z1(I usually only get 5-5.5hrs).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for reply but is there anyway to get more? I DID NIT.EVEN.Used Data connection on this screen.time disappointing.....

Anyway without sacrificing GHz or Gpu speed?

DIsable unused apps, disable location tracking for your google account, sync only relevant things, use Adguard to stop ads for browser and apps aswell as it does have a firewall so block apps that dont need to phone home or have internet access. Ditch drainers like Facebook app, Snapchat and avoid so called "Perfomance tuners/optimizers" as they kill apps that are restarted within minutes or seconds draining the perfomance and battery. Set your wifi to not scan for open networks, disable "Allow apps to scan even if wifi is off". In Settings - Security - Apps with usage access, allow Google Play and Google Play Services to have access if you experience wakelocks. Check the rest of your apps settings and disable unecessary notification systems, push notifications and so on. Some tips.

Lower the brightness,turn off vibration,uninstall or greenify battery hogging apps , keep stamina mode on 24/7 .try to use something lighter than chrome, for browsin cuz chrome really likes drinking battery juice. Those are stuff that will help.But underclocking will also help.
But i dont think that ur going to anywhere near the battery life of that T2U.

EQ2000 said:
DIsable unused apps, disable location tracking for your google account, sync only relevant things, use Adguard to stop ads for browser and apps aswell as it does have a firewall so block apps that dont need to phone home or have internet access. Ditch drainers like Facebook app, Snapchat and avoid so called "Perfomance tuners/optimizers" as they kill apps that are restarted within minutes or seconds draining the perfomance and battery. Set your wifi to not scan for open networks, disable "Allow apps to scan even if wifi is off". In Settings - Security - Apps with usage access, allow Google Play and Google Play Services to have access if you experience wakelocks. Check the rest of your apps settings and disable unecessary notification systems, push notifications and so on. Some tips.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I.have 1hr.and.33minutes screen on time. I DID NOT.EVEN USE DATA Connection, either WIFI at those times. Just Camera and Album ALL Hogging battery eater apps are off. I think this isnt normal for Z1. I think there is wrong on my Z1??? I read people that used data with snycing apps plus camera and browse they got 5 hrs screen on.time but my usage was not even close to that and it already drained the battery??? What can I do more??? this is already 2 hrs old my auntie gave it.to.me.

Battery being drained by apps I didn't open?

Hey all - weird situation here. For the last few days or so my battery has been draining *really* fast and the phone is very warm. Yesterday I went to the battery settings to see what the culprit was and it was an Amazon app that I *never* open - so I disabled it. Same thing today. This time:
17% - Android OS
12% Amazon app suite
12% Email
11% DJI Go, a drone-control app.
I haven't opened anything Amazon ever (bloatware) or DJI GO in at least a month. How are apps I'm not even opening draining my battery? They're not running - at least not that I can see in the task manager. And e-mail? Nothing out of the ordinary.
I'm grateful for any theories as to exactly what the crap is going on with my beloved phone!!

thetastycat said:
Hey all - weird situation here. For the last few days or so my battery has been draining *really* fast and the phone is very warm. Yesterday I went to the battery settings to see what the culprit was and it was an Amazon app that I *never* open - so I disabled it. Same thing today. This time:
17% - Android OS
12% Amazon app suite
12% Email
11% DJI Go, a drone-control app.
I haven't opened anything Amazon ever (bloatware) or DJI GO in at least a month. How are apps I'm not even opening draining my battery? They're not running - at least not that I can see in the task manager. And e-mail? Nothing out of the ordinary.
I'm grateful for any theories as to exactly what the crap is going on with my beloved phone!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Let's talk about that disabling in a minute. I'm confused about that. First, however...
Some apps run in the background even though you have not manually opened them or are using them. The developers do this so they will open VERY FAST when you do click on them and they don't care your battery is being used. This is why I use Greenify -- I can put almost all apps like that into forced hibernation. IF/when I ever do use the apps, I click, they open. When I close them, Greenify puts them back into hibernation. (I don't use the Xposed version of Greenify, just the Greenify app.)
Obviously you don't want to Greenify something like your email app, weather widget, Facebook or anything that needs to be running in the background so you can get notifications. The apps you Greenify are the apps which like to run in the background even though you are not using them.
By any chance are you using Amazon photos backup service? I do. It's like Dropbox or Google Photos backup service. Photos and videos you take are uploaded for backup. If you have that turned on, that could be why Amazon stuff is still running? Just a guess.
Now, you say you disabled Amazon? How? Freezing it through Titanium Backup? Because if you froze it, there's no way it should be running at all. Which is why Greenify is better than freezing in most cases. I only TB freeze something which may need to by physically present for my OS to run correctly but which I do not want to run. There's some redundant CM ROM apps I freeze, as I don't want to take a chance on physically removing them, only to find out stuff crashes because it was important in some way I didn't realize. Freezing totally disables the app, and it won't even show up in your app drawer. If you unfreeze it, then it's there again. So, how did you disable it?

Chazz, you seriously are a real life superhero of my phone. You helped me get my GF a Maxx a few months ago - man, thank you so much!
Yeah, so I "disabled" some of these apps by actually trying to uninstall them (like Amazon), realizing they're bloatware, and instead dragging the icon up to "App info", where I have the option to force-stop or "disable" - whatever that is.
Here are a few screenshots from today:
So Android OS, Email, and Amazon app suite, none of which I've spent any real time on using, are having a race to see who can meaninglessly drain my battery the fastest. DJI GO, which again I haven't opened in a month, comes in at a distant 4th. I barely used my phone today except for about an hour of Pandora and maybe 30 mins of browsing.
Greenify - gotcha! Downloaded it and trying to kill some of this stuff - but nothing Amazon even appears in the listing of all apps. And email? What the heck? I can't really lock my e-mail out. It's just so strange that apps that I'm not even using are the ones draining the battery - any chance this could be a virus? Last I was paying attention, that wasn't much of a concern on Android...have I just had my head in the sand?
Many thanks again - I really appreciate the help!

In Greenify app, hit the "+" sign (on upper right of the app display) and it will show you more apps you can hibernate. I have over 200 apps, so I actually had to hit the "+" sign a couple of times to see the complete list. I think the initial offering is the low-hanging fruit.
For instance it will show my my Flashlight app. Right. I don't need my flashlight app running unless I am actually using my flashlight! So, I "greenify" it. It hibernates until I open the app. Once I close the app, THEN it goes back into hibernation until I need it again.
Right, you shouldn't lock lock out email. Is that personal email or work? I notice it's not Gmail. What are your fetch settings on that app? I have mine set for every 5 minutes. On my work email, it's an Exchange push server based so it's instant, but on my personal email (not Gmail), I have the IMAP fetch settings for 5 minutes. On some email apps you can even set fetch/check for every 30 seconds. That's a lot of pinging and could be draining the battery. Just a guess.

Seems to be working great, Chazz - thank you so much!!!

Settings to optimise battery usage.

(Settings that consume battery more)
What are the settings related to battery you have found to enhance the usage like screen resolution, power saving, AOD etc.
I want to use my phone like a flagship not like a crippled one and get better battery life. But I seem to get less battery somehow due to my settings? Not sure. Please let me know.
[edit]:added the first line.

Check out my screenshots. My battery usage from last night. I use samsungs launcher. Bluetooth I manually turn it on when I need it. Also, turned off Bixby home.
I average about 5-6 screen on time, and lasts me all day. I don't use power saving mode at all, in fact I keep the entertainment mode on the whole time. Same for my data/sync. I have outlook, Gmail (2 accounts), typical social media apps (hangout, Instagram, snapchat, Facebook).
Main usage: xda, Instagram, snapchat, groupme, hangouts, YouTube, crunchyroll, Google's assistant feed, emails.

Would be nice if somebody told us what settings consumes battery most. And which doesn't have any impact at all.

bat0nas said:
Would be nice if somebody told us what settings consumes battery most. And which doesn't have any impact at all.
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You're right. Edited OP.