I blocked background data for my apps with Athena; I got 3 hours of battery back

I conducted an investigation into the impact of blocking background data on my phone's battery life. After using Athena, a firewall and DNS app, I discovered that many apps were draining my battery unnecessarily with background activity, particularly on 5G networks. The app allows users to track and manage data connections for each app, alerting me to any wake-ups of the phone's radio that could drain the battery.

By carefully analyzing the data usage of various apps, I identified several that were using background network access for tracking, loading ads, and analytics without any apparent need. These included games, social media, and utility apps, which had no business consuming background data. I opted to block these apps from accessing the network, granting them access only when necessary.

After applying these rules, I noticed a significant improvement in my phone's battery life within just a week. I managed to gain an estimated three to four hours of battery life each day by blocking background network activity for apps that didn't require it. The app's Kill Switch feature proved useful during times when I needed extra battery backup, allowing me to block data access for all apps except those on my allowlist.

Additionally, Athena's DNS filtering capability blocked ads and tracking domains, reducing CPU load and constant wake-ups. While not mandatory, using Athena's DNS filtering alongside its per-app network management proved to be an effective combination. I found that my phone was cooler and had longer standby and screen-on times than before, making Athena a valuable tool for conserving battery life and saving data.