How to Remove Android Apps from the Battery Optimization List
The Android OS allows you to put certain apps in battery optimization mode so that they don’t run unless your device is connected to power and charging. While this feature can help increase battery life, sometimes an app can be optimized, but still, run in the background like normal and drain your battery more quickly than it should be. Removing an app from the battery optimization list will allow it to run all the time, so long as you aren’t actively using it, but this isn’t something you should do if you are experiencing problems with your device staying charged throughout the day.
What is the Battery Optimization Feature?
The ‘battery optimization’ feature of some operating systems, including Android, is an attempt by device manufacturers and mobile service providers to extend the battery life of a device or connection. The feature can optimize which applications are running in order for them not to interfere with this goal.
While this has been a helpful tool for some users looking for long battery life on their phone it can also disable apps that people need on their phones such as alarm clocks or other important services. For example, if you have an alarm set and use the optimizer then your alarm won’t go off in time causing you to be late for work. This can lead people using android to inadvertently turn off certain functions that they would never want disabled even though they’re just trying optimize their phone’s battery life.
Why Should I Care?
You may have noticed that you are missing out on some essential phone functions with your battery optimization list on. Some apps need power to run and this way, they don’t get a chance.
Since there is no easy way of editing which apps show up in your battery optimization list, I’ve compiled this quick workaround to avoid feeling frustrated every time my phone died before I knew it.
Here’s what you do:
- Enable Developer Mode by opening Settings, tapping About Phone and scrolling down until you see Build Number. Tap it seven times and press back when done.
- Enter Developer Options by tapping the Gear icon at the top right of your screen.
What is Google doing about it?
Currently, Android will start shutting down non-essential apps when your phone battery reaches critical levels. Unfortunately, many of our most popular and preferred apps have not been labelled as non-essential by Google – which means they’ll be cut off with little warning and notifications.
What Can I do about it?
To take a look at what apps are on your battery optimization list and see if you would like them there, click on Settings > Battery > Unmonitored Apps. From there, scroll down and select an app that you would like to turn off from this list and toggle the switch in front of it to off. This can be done for as many apps as you please, but remember that some apps will be unable to function properly with their background notifications turned off.
Is This an Issue on My Device?
Battery optimization has been a useful tool for Android phones since it was first introduced with Lollipop. There are some apps that can work harder when running in battery optimization mode, but most of the time, you will not notice any changes. You will want to check your device’s Battery settings and look for an app or two that may be causing this issue. You can also search for other devices on Google Play to see if there are any common issues.
Fixing the Issue
The best way I’ve found to prevent an app from being included in battery optimization is by clearing data of the app. The below guide will show you how:
-Open Settings on your device and scroll down until you see Apps. -On this screen, find and select the app in question.
