Maintaining your Android device’s battery health is essential for ensuring optimal performance and extending the lifespan of your phone. As battery technology ages, it’s natural for the battery capacity to degrade, which can lead to reduced screen-on time, slower charging, and even unexpected shutdowns. Knowing how to check the battery health in Android can help you diagnose issues early and take corrective measures to prolong battery life.
In this guide, we will explore four methods to check your Android battery’s health, including using the built-in settings, a dial code, specific apps, and Samsung’s exclusive features. Each method is designed to cater to different needs and preferences, making it easy for you to monitor and maintain your battery’s performance effectively.
How to Check Android Battery Health via the Settings Menu
The Android Settings menu offers a straightforward way to check your battery health. This method allows you to see detailed battery usage statistics, which can help you identify apps and services that are draining your battery faster than usual. Depending on your phone model it provides more or less details.
- Open the Settings App and Access the Battery Section
Navigate to your device’s Settings by tapping on the gear icon typically found in your app drawer or by swiping down from the top of the screen to access the quick settings menu.
Scroll down and select “Battery” from the list of options. This will take you to a screen displaying your current battery percentage and an estimated time remaining before the battery is fully depleted.
- View Battery Usage
Tap on Battery Usage to see a breakdown of how your battery has been used over the last 24 hours or since the last full charge. This section shows which apps and services have consumed the most power.
- Analyze Battery-Draining Apps
If you notice an app using an unusually high amount of battery, tap on it for more details. You can see how much battery the app has used and when. If needed, consider limiting its background activity or uninstalling it.
- Force Stop Battery-Draining Apps
If an app is draining too much battery, you can choose to Force Stop it. This can prevent the app from running in the background, conserving your battery life.
How to Check Android Battery Health Using a Dial Code
Another method to check your battery health is by using a hidden dial code. This method provides more technical details about your battery’s condition but won´t work on every phone.
- Open the Phone App and Enter the Battery Health Check Code
Dial *#*#4636#*#* on your phone. This code will automatically open a menu displaying various diagnostics, including battery information.
- Review the Battery Health Information
Once the menu opens, tap on “Battery Information” to see details such as battery health, voltage, temperature, and more. This information is particularly useful if you suspect your battery is faulty. On some phones, unfortunately, you will just see a “Testing” screen without details about your Battery.
How to Check Android Battery Health on Samsung Phones
On Samsung devices you can check battery health with more details than on many other Android models. Here is what it offers.
- Open Battery Settings on Your Samsung Device
Navigate to Settings on your Samsung phone by tapping the gear icon. Scroll down and select “Battery“.
- View Battery Information
In the overview you get a chart for battery capacity over time for the current day or since the last charge. Below you can see which apps drained your battery most by percentage.
You can tap “View Details” to get comprehensive information about your battery’s health, including its current capacity and whether it needs servicing.
- Review Battery Activity
Here you can check the battery of one of the last seven days to get a broader picture.
How to Check Android Battery Using an App
If you’re looking for more detailed and continuous monitoring, third-party apps like AccuBattery can be very useful. There are other apps as well but AccuBattery is the most popular and helpful one.
It tracks the battery’s current capacity relative to its original design, monitors charge cycles, and offers real-time notifications about battery status. The app also suggests optimal charging practices to minimize battery wear, making it a valuable tool for extending battery life and understanding how your device’s battery performs.
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Download and Install AccuBattery
Go to the Google Play Store and search for AccuBattery. Download and install the app on your device.2. Launch AccuBattery and Setup
Open the app, and follow the on-screen instructions to set it up. AccuBattery requires a few days of usage to provide accurate readings, so be patient.3. Monitor Battery Health Over Time
Once set up, AccuBattery will track your battery’s charge cycles and provide detailed statistics on your battery’s health over time. You can check the Health tab to see the estimated capacity relative to the original design capacity.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About Android Battery Health Check
What does “battery capacity relative to original design” mean?
This term defines how much the current maximum charge capacity of your battery compares to when it was new. A healthy battery maintains a capacity close to its original specification, but over time, this capacity will decrease due to chemical aging and usage patterns. Estimating this relative capacity can help you understand the overall health and efficiency of your battery.
How accurate are third-party apps like AccuBattery for checking battery health?
Third-party apps such as AccuBattery provide a fairly accurate measure of your battery’s health by analyzing usage patterns and measuring the actual output against the expected performance based on design specifications. These apps track charge cycles, measure draining speeds under various conditions, and make more precise predictions about battery lifespan. However, it’s essential to use such tools regularly and under varied conditions to get a comprehensive picture of your battery’s health.
How often should I check my Android phone’s battery health?
Checking every two to three months is generally sufficient for most users. If you frequently use apps that are heavy on battery usage, or if your device is older, you might want to check more frequently. Also, any time you notice a decrease in performance or battery life lasting significantly shorter than usual, it’s a good time to do a health check.
What should I do if my Android’s battery health is declining rapidly?
Firstly, identify any apps that may be excessively draining the battery and either update, restrict their background usage, or uninstall them. Adjust your screen brightness settings and switch off unnecessary functions such as Bluetooth, GPS, and Wi-Fi when not in use. If these steps do not help, consider consulting a professional for a battery replacement, particularly if the device is more than two years old.
Are there any Android settings that help extend battery health?
Yes, activating Battery Saver mode, managing screen brightness, and disabling live wallpapers and unnecessary widgets can help extend battery health. Also, turning off push notifications for apps that aren’t crucial and using Airplane mode in areas of poor connectivity can prevent your phone from excessive searching and battery strain.
What does a “battery cycle count” mean?
A battery cycle count refers to the number of full charge and discharge cycles a battery has undergone. Completing a cycle does not necessarily mean a single charging from 0% to 100%; it could also be cumulative, like charging from 50% to 100% twice. Understanding the cycle count helps predict the longevity and when the battery might need replacement.
Does using a phone while charging affect battery health?
Using your phone while charging can increase the temperature of your device, potentially affecting the battery’s longevity if done consistently. It’s typically safer and more efficient to charge your phone when you are not actively using it, particularly for resource-intensive activities like gaming or video streaming.
What are the signs of a deteriorating battery on Android devices?
Common signs include the phone discharging faster than usual, longer charging times, the battery percentage jumping or dropping suddenly, the device turning off unexpectedly, and the device or the battery becoming unusually hot during use or charging.
Can the Android battery health be “reset”?
Battery health itself cannot be reset as it reflects the physical state of the battery. However, you can recalibrate the software that estimates battery capacity. This involves draining the battery to 0% and charging it uninterrupted to 100%. Such recalibration can help the software better estimate the battery’s actual capacity.
Is it harmful to leave an Android phone charging overnight?
With modern smartphones, it is generally safe to leave them charging overnight as they have systems in place to stop charging once the battery is full. However, to maximize battery lifespan, it’s advisable not to keep the phone plugged in consistently past the full charge, especially under warm conditions.
Will removing the battery from my phone and putting it back reset any battery stats?
Physically removing the battery from phones that allow it can reset the battery statistics, but it does not affect the overall health or capacity of the battery. Such a reset can sometimes correct discrepancies between real battery life and what’s reported by the device.
How do I identify apps draining my Android battery?
Navigate to Settings > Battery > Battery Usage to view a list of apps sorted by their consumption of battery power. Apps using an unusually high percentage of charge should be investigated, and you may adjust their settings for background activity or update them to a less power-consuming version.
Can overheating affect my Android’s battery health?
Yes, overheating can significantly degrade your battery’s health. It can result from excessive usage, charging under high ambient temperatures, or using non-certified chargers. It’s advisable to keep the device and battery at a moderate temperature to ensure optimal battery health.
What steps should I take if my battery drains quickly even after charging?
Review apps’ battery usage and uninstall unnecessary or energy-draining apps. Consider enabling battery-saver modes and adjusting settings that affect battery life, such as screen brightness and timeout. If the problem persists, the battery may be damaged or degraded and might need replacing.
Is it better to charge my Android phone when it drops below a certain battery level?
To optimize battery longevity, avoid letting the battery drop below 20% too frequently. Likewise, charging it up to 80-90% instead of 100% can help reduce battery wear. Such practices can help maintain battery health over its lifespan.
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