Android will warn about apps that harm battery life

Google has announced a new policy for Android apps that consume excessive amounts of power. Starting March 1, 2026, Google Play will display special warnings if an app doesn’t meet energy efficiency standards. This way, users will be able to know in advance that an app may drain their battery faster.

The initiative is primarily aimed at combating apps that remain active in the background even after the screen is turned off. This phenomenon, known as wake locks, causes the processor to not go to sleep, and the phone continues to consume power without real need.

New rules for developers

Under the new rules, an app will be considered “gluttonous” if it holds wake locks for more than two hours a day without any obvious benefit to the user. The only exceptions are for apps that play music, transfer data, or have other critical processes.

If developers don’t optimize their apps, Google will flag them in the Android app store with a prominent warning: “This app may use more battery than expected due to background activity.” This warning will appear alongside the app’s rating and description, which may influence users’ decisions to install it.

Google explains that the goal of this policy is to increase the transparency and quality of the Android ecosystem, help users control the power consumption of their devices, and encourage developers to optimize apps for better battery life.