Google, Samsung tackle Android battery drain issues
Technology
Google and Samsung are joining forces to tackle one of Android users' biggest headaches: apps that excessively drain your phone's battery.
Their new "excessive partial wake locks" system will spot apps that keep devices awake for too long, helping your phone last longer between charges.
New rules take effect March 1, 2026
If an app keeps your device awake for over two hours (excluding essentials like music playback) in a day, it'll get flagged.
Repeat offenders could see warnings or even lose visibility on the Play Store.
The new rules kick in March 1, 2026, and Google is rolling out tools to help developers make their apps more battery-friendly—so you can expect smoother performance and longer battery life soon.