Many people complain that their phone battery drains even when they are not using it.
You may charge your phone to 100%, leave it for a few hours, and later notice the battery dropped quickly.
One common reason is background app activity.
Some apps continue running even after you close them. They may use internet, location, notifications, syncing, and system resources in the background.
In this guide, I will explain how to find apps that drain battery in the background and how to stop them safely on Android and iPhone.
Why Apps Drain Battery in the Background
Apps may continue working in the background for many reasons.
They may be:
- checking notifications
- syncing messages
- tracking location
- uploading photos
- downloading updates
- refreshing content
- running ads
- using mobile data
- sending analytics data
Some background activity is useful. For example, WhatsApp needs background access to receive messages.
But not every app needs to run all the time.
If too many apps run in the background, your battery can drain faster.
1. Check Battery Usage First
Before changing settings, find which apps are using the most battery.
On Android
Go to:
Settings → Battery → Battery Usage
or:
Settings → Battery → View Details
The exact path may change depending on your phone brand.
Check which apps used battery recently.
On iPhone
Go to:
Settings → Battery
Scroll down and check battery usage by app.
If an app shows high background activity, that app may be draining your battery.
2. Restrict Background Activity on Android
Android allows you to limit background usage for specific apps.
Go to:
Settings → Apps → Select App → Battery
Then choose options like:
Restricted
Optimized
Unrestricted
Choose Restricted for apps you rarely use.
Good apps to restrict:
- shopping apps
- games
- video editing apps
- unused social apps
- apps with too many notifications
- apps you open only sometimes
Do not restrict important apps like banking alerts, WhatsApp, email, or school/work apps unless you understand the effect.
3. Turn Off Background App Refresh on iPhone
iPhone has a feature called Background App Refresh.
It allows apps to refresh content in the background.
To change it:
Settings → General → Background App Refresh
You can turn it off completely or disable it for specific apps.
For better battery life, turn it off for apps that do not need constant updates.
Examples:
- shopping apps
- travel apps
- games
- food delivery apps
- news apps
- apps you rarely use
4. Disable Unnecessary Notifications
Notifications can wake your screen and keep apps active.
Too many notifications can slowly drain battery throughout the day.
Turn off unnecessary notifications from:
- games
- shopping apps
- promotions
- news apps
- unused apps
- social apps you rarely use
On Android
Settings → Notifications
On iPhone
Settings → Notifications
Keep notifications only for important apps.
5. Stop Apps From Using Location All the Time
Location access can drain battery quickly.
Some apps use GPS even when you are not actively using them.
Check location permissions.
On Android
Settings → Location → App Location Permissions
On iPhone
Settings → Privacy & Security → Location Services
Change unnecessary apps from:
Always
to:
While Using the App
or:
Never
Apps like maps and ride apps may need location, but many apps do not need constant access.
6. Turn Off Auto-Sync for Unneeded Accounts
Auto-sync keeps accounts updated in the background.
This is useful for email and cloud services, but it can drain battery if many accounts are syncing often.
On Android, check:
Settings → Accounts → Sync
Turn off sync for accounts or services you do not use.
Be careful with Gmail, contacts, and calendar sync if you depend on them.
7. Stop Cloud Backup When Using Mobile Data
Cloud backup can use battery and data.
Apps like Google Photos, iCloud, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Drive may upload files in the background.
Change backup settings to use Wi-Fi only.
Examples:
- Google Photos backup
- WhatsApp media backup
- iCloud Photos
- Google Drive upload
- Telegram auto-download
This can improve battery life and save mobile data.
8. Disable Auto-Download in WhatsApp and Telegram
Messaging apps can download photos, videos, and files automatically.
This uses:
- storage
- internet
- battery
- background activity
WhatsApp → Settings → Storage and Data
Turn off auto-download for unnecessary media.
Telegram
Telegram → Settings → Data and Storage
Reduce automatic media downloads.
This is especially useful if you are in many groups.
9. Use Battery Saver Mode
Battery saver mode reduces background activity automatically.
On Android
Settings → Battery → Battery Saver
On iPhone
Settings → Battery → Low Power Mode
Use battery saver when:
- battery is low
- you are traveling
- you need the phone to last longer
- you cannot charge soon
Battery saver is one of the easiest ways to stop unnecessary background activity.
10. Uninstall Apps You Do Not Use
Unused apps can still send notifications, run services, or update in the background.
If you have apps you no longer use, uninstall them.
Remove apps like:
- old games
- duplicate apps
- old shopping apps
- unused editing apps
- temporary tools
- suspicious apps
Fewer apps usually means better battery life and better phone performance.
11. Avoid Fake Battery Saver Apps
Many “battery booster” apps claim to improve battery life instantly.
Some of them:
- show too many ads
- run in the background
- request unnecessary permissions
- slow down the phone
- drain battery themselves
Modern Android and iPhone systems already include good battery management tools.
Use built-in settings first.
12. Restart Your Phone Occasionally
Restarting your phone can stop stuck background processes.
If your phone suddenly drains battery fast, try restarting it.
This can fix temporary problems caused by apps or system bugs.
Quick Background Battery Drain Checklist
| Problem | What to Do |
|---|---|
| App uses high battery | Restrict background activity |
| Too many notifications | Disable unnecessary alerts |
| Location always on | Set to “While Using” |
| Cloud backup active | Use Wi-Fi only |
| Auto media download | Disable in WhatsApp/Telegram |
| Unused apps | Uninstall them |
| Battery still drains | Restart and check battery health |
Apps That Commonly Drain Battery
Some apps may use more battery depending on your usage.
Common examples include:
- TikTok
- YouTube
- Snapchat
- games
- maps
- camera apps
- VPN apps
- shopping apps
- cloud backup apps
This does not mean these apps are bad. It means you should manage their background activity properly.
My Personal Recommendation
If your phone battery drains quickly when idle, check these first:
battery usage + background activity + location permission + notifications
Most background battery drain issues come from these settings.
For most users, the best fix is:
restrict unused apps + turn off unnecessary notifications + limit location access
This can improve battery life without deleting important apps.
Final Thoughts
Apps draining battery in the background is a common problem, but it is usually easy to control.
You do not need to uninstall every app.
Start by checking battery usage, then restrict apps that do not need background access.
Also manage notifications, location, auto-sync, and auto-download settings.
Small changes can make your phone battery last longer and improve daily performance.