Android: Closing apps can consume more battery

Android's operating system handles RAM by automatically closing background applications when it requires additional space. RAM consumption remains consistent regardless of whether it is full or empty. Repeatedly force-closing apps may lead to increased battery usage, as they might need to reload and background activities like notifications or syncing could be disrupted.

Consequently, there is no need to constantly remove applications from the recents list. When an app is closed and reopened, the processor must load it anew, which can consume more power than if the application remained in memory. Additionally, closing an app can interrupt features such as notifications, smartwatch syncing, or live updates on scores and weather.

If a specific app is consuming excessive battery, Damnjanovic recommends limiting its background activity rather than closing all applications. On a Pixel device, users can adjust this setting by navigating to Settings → Apps → [app] → App battery usage → Allow background usage. Here, they can select the option "Optimized" instead of "Unrestricted" or completely disable background usage if it is not required.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth typically consume minimal power unless the signal is weak. A test conducted by How-To Geek found that a phone with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled consumed only 3.4% more battery over a 24-hour period. In the same test, a phone connected to a weak Wi-Fi signal used nearly three times as much battery as a device with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off.

Thus, a poor signal can have a more significant impact on battery life than leaving these features enabled. It is essential to note that turning off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for privacy reasons does not save battery according to the test. Fast charging did not demonstrate a greater wear level on the tested Android devices in the experiment.

Conversely, a YouTube channel by HTX Studio discovered that fast charging causes approximately the same amount of wear and tear as slow charging. On iPhones, after 500 charging cycles, fast charging reduced battery health by about half a percentage point more, while Android devices tested showed slightly less wear. The results pertain to the specific tests conducted.

The source also suggests charging when the battery level falls between 30% and 80% to slow down wear. Antivirus software is generally unnecessary on a modern Android that continues to receive security updates, as Google Play Protect is built into Google Play Services and checks both apps from Google Play and those installed manually.

Chrome also incorporates Google Safe Browsing, which alerts users about dangerous websites and downloads. These features do not replace manufacturer security updates, which are released monthly for supported Pixels and quarterly or twice a year for other models. Antivirus might be warranted on a phone with a custom ROM lacking Google services, a device where apps from outside Google Play are frequently installed, or an older phone that has not received security updates in a while.

In such cases, Damnjanovic suggests using Bitdefender. It is crucial to remember that Play Protect does not detect every threat, and continued device support remains vital. The original English article can be found on Hacks.gr.