Decreased battery life since JB update? Try this.

[B. Diddy]

Ever since the JB update, I've noticed a modest decrease in battery life in conjunction with increased Android OS battery usage in the battery stats. To give you an idea of the difference, I used to be able to stretch out my time between charges to 3 full days with light to moderate use; now, it's pretty much 2 days. Using Wake Lock Detector, I noticed that Google Maps seemed to be waking the phone up a lot. Doing a bit more searching on the web, it seems that Google Maps' Location Reporting might be the culprit. As far as I can tell, it's an option that allows Maps to frequently wake up the phone, check where you are, and transmit that data to Google. It doesn't appear to be the same as Location Access (in the main System Settings), which allows other apps that have that permission to know your location.

So I'm going to turn off Location Reporting in Google Maps and see what happens. To find it, go to Google Maps, hit the Menu button, tap Settings/Location settings/Location reporting, and check "Do not update your location." I'll report back after a couple of days.

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[Ryan32973]

I'll be curious to see what you find here...

 

[kawana72]

I would guess that Google has that location reporting feature set up to not kill people's batteries, but you never know.

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[B. Diddy]

So far, so good. No more significant wakelocks from Maps, and battery life looks a lot more like it used to.

I'm sure Google isn't that concerned about battery life. This is about data collection ...

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[maxman1]

I think my battery life might be marginally less on JB but it seems pretty insignificant. You are probably correct that the location reporting is a factor. I went across town yesterday and noted a Google Now card popped up displaying the return drive time, a mapped course and expected traffic conditions. That's gotta use some battery.

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[MA2GA28]

I have noticed a dip as well. Got the December leak and noticed it after that. Going to try this fix and see what happens.

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[cloudy71]

Hmm, I hadn't really noticed a decrease on my kindle fire or phone. Mine is more or less the same.

But I keep WiFi, data, GPS, and all other stuff off till I want to use it.

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[B. Diddy]

I actually keep my wifi, mobile data, and GPS off unless I need it as well, and even so, I think this Location Reporting setting in Google Maps was still stealing some battery life, because even with those things off, it will still cause the phone to wake up a bit, try to access the location, and then go back to sleep. Turning off Location Reporting minimizes this activity.

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[cloudy71]

I just checked mine, looks like mines disabled already. I must have went through there at some point and disabled all the location tracking.

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[cloudy71]

I would try keeping your brightness down as much as possible, or keep it on auto brightness.

I use to keep mine all the way down, inside its OK but outside you can't see anything. So I usually keep it down inside then brighten it up before going outside.

Works fairly well that way but doesn't really matter how bright screen is when its really sunny out, the screen is always dark from it.

I wish they would start putting in those LCDs where the sun won't blank the screens.

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[cgaines2101]

Such great info!!! This thread saved my battery life for certain. Been off the charger since 7 am still have 70% battery right now!

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[Robo]

Is there a way to keep google from trying access your location but still be able to go into navigation and have it grab your location without turning it back on?

 

[DeadpoolJunior]

Wouldn't this hinder Google Now though? One of the cool things about Gnow is that no matter where I'm at it notifies me of how long the trip back home is no matter where I'm at. Now, if I disable this, would it not be able to give me this information since its not keeping track of where I'm at? I have a Nexus 4 but I assume this would save battery life on anybodys phone, just making sure I'm not sacrificing key features.

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[B. Diddy]

I still get Time to Home cards with Location Reporting turned off.

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[MA2GA28]

I think Location Reporting isn't the tracker, but sends your location back to Google for them to know where there stuff is being used for company purposes.

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[droidnewbie2011]

Yes please, keep us posted!

 

[androidluvr2]

try uninstalling Google Maps and then reinstalling it. That has helped some of us with GNex after the 4.2.2 update.

 

[insuranceguy]

Decreased you say? I'm in heaven.........my phone is at 80% at 4:30PM. Took it off the charger at 7:30 this morning. Last week prior to JB upgrade this thing would be dead right now.................This is the kind of batt life it had on Honeycomb before ICS came along and ruined everything. BTW-wifi, bluetooth and GPS have been on all day as well..............

 

[sammy1412]

Aggravated to no end today....

Grab my phone (which I haven't used much today) and this is what o get for battery stats....



Ever since job its been worse... something goofed it up today.

I also noticed my WiFi turned itself on...

And this is the last 8 hours...



Not wanting too but I think fact reset this weekend is in order....

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[B. Diddy]

Under Settings/Wi-fi, make sure you uncheck "Auto-connect to wifi."

Also, there's a decent amount of Cell Standby in your battery stats. Tap it--does it say that there's a significant amount of time without signal? Weak signal can definitely eat battery. Either you've been in an area with weak signal, or the update made reception a little worse for some reason.

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