Google has found a new way to shame battery-hogging apps before you even install them
Google has introduced a new Play Store feature that warns users about apps causing excessive battery drain due to background activity. The warnings are based on data showing apps holding partial wake locks for more than two hours in a 24-hour period across multiple user sessions. This change positions battery efficiency as a core measure of app quality, alongside stability and performance.
- ▪Google now flags apps that hold partial wake locks for over two hours in a 24-hour period while the screen is off.
- ▪The flagging system requires the behavior to occur in more than 5% of user sessions over a 28-day average before triggering a warning.
- ▪Certain functions like audio playback, active location tracking, and user-initiated downloads are exempt from the battery drain assessment.
- ▪The metric was developed in collaboration with Samsung and was introduced in beta in 2025 before rolling out in March 2026.
- ▪Apps displaying excessive battery drain may receive warning labels in the Play Store, potentially affecting user trust and downloads.
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