Battery draining insanely fast help!

[OfTheDamned]

First, the signal meter is not showing your regular network on 2.1 until you make a phone call. It is showing your 3g coverage from what many of is can figure.
Second, the airplane mode trick does nothing for your signal. It just kills the 50% without signal and does appear to help the battery a bit.
Third, give it a few days before you get too upset about the battery life. I'm willing to net that today has not been normal usage for you.

 

[keeppace]

I have put a blog entry together - it talks to this issue

A ?Real Life? Guide to Android Phones | Keep Pace Technology

In short - you have 1 or more applications that are "chatty". For me - Facebook and Gmail are the primary culprits.

The best way I have found to stop this is to go into Settings and stop the Background refresh (I mention this in this blog entry)

What I found - once I turned that off - my battery stopped draining

 

[paligap]

First, the signal meter is not showing your regular network on 2.1 until you make a phone call. It is showing your 3g coverage from what many of is can figure.
Second, the airplane mode trick does nothing for your signal. It just kills the 50% without signal and does appear to help the battery a bit.
Third, give it a few days before you get too upset about the battery life. I'm willing to net that today has not been normal usage for you.

OTD - thanks! It has been a BIT more than normal but not 20% in a hour...Obviously, have no choice since I took the plunge but I love everything else - if I could get this battery thing solved I would be stoked!

The signal bar issue - I have a feeling it's just a glitch as I have only noticed one time I was d/l an app and it stopped as I went from inside (worse coverage) to outside (better coverage)

I am going to let it charge overnight and stay plugged - we will see if it needs a "burn in" or whatever it's called...

 

[gruss]

One more thing I just thought of when I made a thread in applications....Are you using handcent? I noticed using the pop-ups in that if I don't get to them my phone stays awake until I close the pop-up. Only started happening since the last handcent update, before that it worked flawlessly on 1.5 and 2.1..and is still working flawlessly on my wifes 1.5 eris.

 

[paligap]

One more thing I just thought of when I made a thread in applications....Are you using handcent? I noticed using the pop-ups in that if I don't get to them my phone stays awake until I close the pop-up. Only started happening since the last handcent update, before that it worked flawlessly on 1.5 and 2.1..and is still working flawlessly on my wifes 1.5 eris.

Just using stock HTC messaging...

 

[gruss]

Just using stock HTC messaging...

Oh well Just a thought, OTD may be right, you are probably messing with it more than normal, and if you have quite a few contacts, calendars, FB contacts etc etc. all that stuff seems to need to sync back up. I couldn't tell you all its got to do but I do remember my battery not being great the first couple days I loaded it and just figured I was playing with the phone more....not totally related to the eris, I just put my BB for work on the BES and battery life was HORRIFIC for about 2 days then went back to normal, I can only assume once everything stabilized it was ok. Just saying the problem may "fix" itself.

 

[paligap]

Oh well Just a thought, OTD may be right, you are probably messing with it more than normal, and if you have quite a few contacts, calendars, FB contacts etc etc. all that stuff seems to need to sync back up. I couldn't tell you all its got to do but I do remember my battery not being great the first couple days I loaded it and just figured I was playing with the phone more....not totally related to the eris, I just put my BB for work on the BES and battery life was HORRIFIC for about 2 days then went back to normal, I can only assume once everything stabilized it was ok. Just saying the problem may "fix" itself.

appreciate the help there gruss - I am thinking that's what it is or maybe the 2.1 pushing the Eris a bit more than 1.5 in some way - kinda like when you get a new computer o/s that pushes your old computer limits?

 

[alprazolam]

When I first installed 2.1, my battery lasted about 5 hours because I was checking out the new features. On most days, I get a 12-16 hour life now that I have gotten over the newness of 2.1.

 

[paligap]

ok since I have resigned myself to the 2.1 and hoping the battery gets better -

What are some good apps I was missing being at 1.5 now that I am 2.1?

Got Goggles and Gestures (gestures is a battery KILLA!) - what else?

 

[alprazolam]

Go get the vLingo beta...it is like Google voice on steroids...there is a thread about it around here somewhere. Need the link...can't find it in Market.

 

[smacky]

"Go to Settings, About Phone, Battery, Battery Use, and tap on Cell Standby. Look at time without signal. What is the percentage given?"


i'm having horrible battery life as well SINCE the 2.1 leak upgrade.

did the above and it says "50%". is that good/bad/normal?



thx.

It needs to be 0% or very close to it.

I did the 2.1 upgrade last night and have the 50% without issue. Battery seems to be draining faster than before (though not as bad as reported here), and I have most (if not all) settings back to the way they were with 1.5. Has there been a determination as to whether 50% without is actually causing battery drain, or is it just misreporting time without signal?

Has anyone been able to get rid of the bug (other than via the airplane mode trick)?

No, the airplane trick is the only thing that works. It also resets itself once you turn off the phone. But you just have to do it again. Just charge it for about 15 seconds on airplane, turn airplane off, and then unplug it. You're good after that.

So under that it says 20% time on 1h 40m

I just ran out for an hour and battery went from 99% to 83% - yes, I was downloading some apps and sent a text or two but in 1.5 that wouldn't have been squat...

Got up to 3 bars when I was out but that was normally 4 bar territory...

This battery issue is worrying me...appreciate the help

What's a signal bug?

I don't have evidence that the bug actually causes the fast draining. It could be just a display issue but doesn't actually do anything in terms of using more battery or causing the meter to display an incorrect charge. BUT, it has proven to me that without doing the airplane trick, you will lose charge at a faster rate than if it displays 0% for time without signal.

I also recommend the use of Advanced Task Killer. In moderation, it helps battery and speed in my experiences.

 

[gruss]

Check the battery widget or spare parts again in the sensor usage. Seems sometimes the camera can kill the battery by not shutting down properly. Or if someone can tell me that bug is gone in 2nd leak I'm gonna roll to that right now. I also agree the 50% signal thing never caused me any issues.

 

[Rubik76]

ok since I have resigned myself to the 2.1 and hoping the battery gets better -

What are some good apps I was missing being at 1.5 now that I am 2.1?

Got Goggles and Gestures (gestures is a battery KILLA!) - what else?

There is also a Google Maps update that doesn't seem to prompt you to install - I stumbled across it in the market. You probably have already found it but I figured it was worth mentioning.

 

[AudiDan]

When I installed 2.1 v2, I downloaded all the new "get more widgets". Then my battery would literally drop right before my eyes. The problem for me was the new battery widget! I was not happy since I enjoyed seeing the bubbles when I charged it up. Uninstalled and my battery life changed immediately for the better. Battery life is better now than with 1.5.

 

[paligap]

When I installed 2.1 v2, I downloaded all the new "get more widgets". Then my battery would literally drop right before my eyes. The problem for me was the new battery widget! I was not happy since I enjoyed seeing the bubbles when I charged it up. Uninstalled and my battery life changed immediately for the better. Battery life is better now than with 1.5.

I am going to try that - hopefully that will help....THANKS!!

 

[absolutebica]

OK,

My battery is doing this. I went to bed last night, fully charged. I went out this morning...it was already 1/2 gone, then someone called me..my phone got super delayed trying to load the user screen...I lost 2 calls because I couldn't answer it (wouldn't respond to my taps) then next thing I know I was in Amber color already.

something is KILLING my phone power. I installed spare parts...so I will just see what that has to say I guess.

Someone mentioned something about FaceBook sync..but I don't run facebook, never even set it up.

 

[absolutebica]

Ok - so I took the plunge today and went to the 2.1 leak...installed perfectly thanks to Matlock's guide - LOVE 2.1 - it's awesome!!!!

Just have a ONE MAJOR PROB (and a minor one) - my battery is literally draining before my eyes!

It will be at 80% and I will load the weather and maybe respond to a text and it will drop to 79%.

Then if I just flip screen to screen - another 1% gone in less than 15 secs!!

I have searched through the forums but haven't seen if there is a 'fix"

I have build 2.26.60534 CL140744 - that's the latest, correct?

My Minor issue is signal strength - I use to have 3-4 bars constant and now am lucky if I get 2 - again saw others had the same prob but didn't know if there was a fix besides the *228/2 -

I have powered off - taken battery out - that gave it about 10% more juice but still declines rapidly as before...

REALLY NEED SOME HELP ON THIS TO PROVE TO MY WIFE I AM NOT A TOTAL IDIOT (please keep those comments to minimum - at least til my problem is fixed) AS "SHE WARNED ME"

btw - I am using 2.26.605.4 CL 140744 release keys, so it appears our versions are slightly different.

 

[smacky]

OK,

My battery is doing this. I went to bed last night, fully charged. I went out this morning...it was already 1/2 gone, then someone called me..my phone got super delayed trying to load the user screen...I lost 2 calls because I couldn't answer it (wouldn't respond to my taps) then next thing I know I was in Amber color already.

something is KILLING my phone power. I installed spare parts...so I will just see what that has to say I guess.

Someone mentioned something about FaceBook sync..but I don't run facebook, never even set it up.

Dial "##PST" on your phone and call it.
Edit Mode

Password is six zeros (000000)
Go to modem settings
Go to Slot cycle
Should be at 2...set it to 1 or 0 (Mine's at 0, no decrease in batter)
Hit Menu, and save settings.


This causes your phone to ping the phone tower more often. Theoretically, it should lower battery life. For me, in a crappy signal area in my home, it remains the same as anywhere else.

That's one thing you should do.

Next, clear your call log. It should take away delays in caller ID and phone pick up as well. Don't let your call log get more than ten numbers or so. More than that just causes the dialer to lag as well as the overall responsiveness of the calling feature of the phone.

 

[jdog94]

So under that it says 20% time on 1h 40m

I just ran out for an hour and battery went from 99% to 83% - yes, I was downloading some apps and sent a text or two but in 1.5 that wouldn't have been squat...

Got up to 3 bars when I was out but that was normally 4 bar territory...

This battery issue is worrying me...appreciate the help

What's a signal bug?

what are you using to see these battery percentages?? if you are using a battery widget that was been know to drain on battery

 

[Bswartz95]

One that I can vouch for is vizbattery widget. I've been using it for awhile without any problems.

 

[absolutebica]

So I have done a couple things to help with battery power, but a couple things still confuse me

1. I was running Advanced Task Manager FREE, and went with the purchased one since it had auto-kill of apps.

2. I turned off Sense UI and went with HOME

3. I installed Spare Parts, still trying to get used to data I should look for

4. Not sure if the "airplane trick" worked for me. I never have more then 1 bar, and last time I checked. If I go and look at Cell Standby, I have

Time On: 1:27:43
Time without signal: 0%

I assume the 0% is a great thing. It was 50% before doing the airplane trick BUT I still at this time have 1 bar, sometimes 2. NEVER 3 bars or more.

When I look at my Battery Use (SETTINGS > ABOUT PHONE > BATTERY > Battery Use I get

Android System: 23%
Cell Standby: 24%
Voice Calls: 22%
Phone Idle: 19%
Display: 10%
Dialer: 2%


My uptime (right now is 3:45:54) and my awake time is 1:06.02, though I haven't been using my phone for an hour..so not sure if that means something is making my battery churn or what

Regarding Spare Parts, if I look at Battery History, I have

Running: 25.95%
Screen on: 22.9%
Phone On: 8.7%

So I assume you want running and screen on to be close.

If I choose Partial Awake Usage, my mail and Android System have a couple blue bars (very very low) and Google + Dialer, etc... are all empty. Good thing?

 

[textstev]

when i go to my one job, my phone will die by the end of the work if i don't set it to airplane mode.

 

[gruss]

Those numbers look good. If your running is way higher than screen on then something is going in the background. I'd something spikes partial awake time kill it. Also check sensor usage. Seems the camera likes to hog the battery too sometimes in 2.1 from your battery usage though I don't think you have this issue.

 

[Bswartz95]

Your awake time is about 25%. That's not bad. The apps using your battery look normal. Looks like your using the phone a little more than me (22%). That will bring the battery down. Also, your screen is on a lot, so you're not letting it sleep very often. That will take a toll on your battery too.

Other than that, I'd say things look decent.

 

[absolutebica]

P

Your awake time is about 25%. That's not bad. The apps using your battery look normal. Looks like your using the phone a little more than me (22%). That will bring the battery down. Also, your screen is on a lot, so you're not letting it sleep very often. That will take a toll on your battery too.

Other than that, I'd say things look decent.

how do i get it to sleep more...is there a setting to force it more often?