Google Maps: 10 tricks to save battery NOW ⚡📱
Although Google Maps is super convenient, it's sometimes known for draining Android battery quickly. This happens because the app activates many background processes that can quickly drain your phone's battery.
To reduce battery consumption while using Google Maps on your Android, you need to make some adjustments to your system and app settings. Here's what to do. 🗺️📱
1. Restart your Android smartphone
Restarting closes all background tasks and clears any errors that may be draining your battery. So, restart your phone and use Google Maps for a while before continuing with other methods. If the problem persists, try the following steps.
2. Disable Location Services
The first thing you can do to prevent Google Maps from draining your Android's battery is to disable location services. When GPS is off, Google Maps can't run many of its background processes, which could solve the battery drain issue.
Disabling location services on Android smartphones is easy. Follow these steps:
1. Open the Android app drawer and select the app Settings.
2. When the Settings app opens, tap on Location.
3. On the Location screen, deactivate the switch of Location.
This will immediately disable location services on your Android smartphone, drastically reducing battery consumption. ⚡️
3. Allow location access only while using the app
If you're using the latest version of Android, you can enable location access only when you're actively using the app.
This setting is very useful and can significantly reduce battery consumption. Here's how to do it:
1. Open the Android app drawer and select the app Settings.
2. When the Settings app opens, tap on Applications.
3. On the Apps screen, tap Application Management.
4. Now search Google Maps and tap on it.
5. On the Maps App Info screen, tap Permissions.
6. Now tap on Location.
7. In the location access for this app, select Allow only while using the app.
Close the Settings app. This will allow access to your location only while using Google Maps. 🆕
4. Activate Dark Mode in Maps
Google Maps has a dark mode that helps reduce battery consumption and reduce eye strain. If you're still experiencing battery drain issues in Google Maps, it's time to turn on Dark Mode! 🌙
1. Open the Maps app and tap your profile picture, as shown in the screenshot.
2. In the Google Maps menu, select Settings.
3. On the Settings screen, tap on Issue.
4. You will now see a Theme prompt; select Always in dark theme.
5. Disable background data usage for Google Maps
As we all know, even when you're not actively using Google Maps, the app silently consumes internet to offer certain features. Therefore, if you want to reduce battery usage, it's best to disable background data usage for Google Maps.
1. Open the Android app drawer and select the app Settings.
2. When the Settings app opens, tap on Applications.
3. On the Apps screen, tap Application Management.
4. Now search Google Maps and tap on it.
5. On the next screen, tap on Use of Data.
6. Turn off the switch to Background data on the Data Usage screen.
6. Activate Battery Saving Mode
Any Android smartphone has a power-saving mode that extends battery life by a few hours. If you've tried all the previous methods and continue to use the drainage problem, you can try to activate the mode battery saving.
Enabling battery saver mode restricts certain background processes and Android features, but reduces battery consumption. Here's how to enable battery saver mode on Android.
1. Open the Settings app on your Android and select Battery.
2. On the battery screen, tap Power Saving Mode.
3. On the next screen, active the switch of Saving mode.
7. Reduce the screen refresh rate
Reducing the screen refresh rate is another effective way to reduce battery consumption on Android. A high refresh rate, such as 120 Hz, can impact your phone's battery life; therefore, you can set it to 60 or 90 Hz.
1. Select the app Settings. Then, open your Android's app drawer.
2. In Settings, tap Screen and Brightness.
3. Under Display & Brightness, tap on the Screen refresh rate.
4. On the next screen, select Standard.
8. Update your Android smartphone
Your battery drain issue may be related to a bug in your operating system. You can update your Android version to the latest version to avoid potential issues. 🔄
1. Open the Settings app on your smartphone and select About the device.
2. Under About device, check for system updates.
If updates are available, install them on your smartphone. After the update, the battery drain issue when using Google Maps should be resolved.
9. Reinstall the Google Maps app
Reinstalling is the only option to fix the battery drain issue in Google Maps.
Sometimes, performing a fresh install of an app can help eliminate battery drain or high memory usage issues on Android.
So, long-press the Maps app icon on your home screen and select 'Uninstall.' Once uninstalled, reinstall Google Maps. 🔄
Switching to offline navigation apps is the best option if you're a frequent traveler and dealing with battery issues. 🧳
There are many alternatives to Google Maps on the Google Play Store that allow you to download maps for offline use, and Google Maps even has a feature to download maps for offline viewing.
Therefore, I discovered the best offline GPS navigation apps available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I disable Google Maps on Android?
Even when you're not using Google Maps, the app uses location services, draining your battery. To disable this, you can force-quit the Google Maps app.
How to stop Google Maps from running in the background on Android?
You can force stop the Google Maps app to prevent it from running in the background. You should also follow the third and fifth methods.
Why does Google Maps consume so much battery?
A prominent reason why Google Maps consumes so much battery is its background usage. Even when you're not actively using Google Maps, it continues to run silently.
How can I stop Google Maps from using so much data?
You can reduce Google Maps' data usage by disabling the app's background data usage. To learn more, follow the fifth method shared in the article.
What is the best alternative to Google Maps?
MAPS.ME, OsmAnd, and MapFactor are some of the best alternatives to Google Maps for Android. These apps also offer offline navigation options.
Google Maps battery consumption on Android can be problematic, but the methods shared will help you overcome the problem. Make installing updates a habit to get the most out of Google Maps and avoid issues. 🚀