New Play Store Feature Warns Users of Battery Killer Apps

Google has rolled out a new feature in its Play Store that warns users against apps that drain their batteries. The feature developed in partnership with Samsung also aims to discourage developers from making apps that drain batteries.

• Google Play Store now has a feature that warns users against installing applications that drain their batteries. 
• Using what it describes as the “excessive partial wake locks” metric, the company is able to identify apps with a tendency to overwork the battery.
• This is an important update that will help Google Play Store users avoid such apps and maximize their battery life.

Android developers in a blog warned that starting March 1 2026, apps that do not meet the standard set by its metric will not be put in front of users.

Warning users against the apps’ tendency to drain their batteries will be the best case scenario if the warning is not heeded.

Giving Users a Better Experience 

According to Android developers, excessive battery drain is one of the leading concerns for phone users and apps are mainly responsible, hence the need for the feature.

The developers had introduced the beta of the excessive partial wake lock metric in Android essentials to help users identify and address sources of battery drain. The metric has passed beta and is now available to all developers who will bring it to users.

Developers have been warned to ensure that their apps do not cross the excessive wake lock threshold of 5% of an app user’s sessions in the last 28 days.

If the developer fails to address the excessive wake lock problem, users will be warned to avoid the app, thus reducing downloads and usage.

A Good Way to Help Users Save Batteries

As stated by the Android developers, battery life is a critical part of Android users’ experience, and enhancing it definitely improves experience.

It is therefore an important development at this point that Android users will certainly appreciate as one of Google’s best improvements yet. 

The company also recently added its Meet in-meeting chat feature to Google Meet, making it easier for teams to connect.

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