Google Play will flag apps that drain battery by keeping devices awake for too long.
Apps with excessive wake locks may face lower visibility and warnings starting March 1, 2026.
Developed with Samsung, the new system uses real user data to ensure fair and accurate battery performance tracking.
Google has introduced a new measure called “excessive partial wake locks” to help Android app developers improve battery use. Apps sometimes keep a device awake to complete background tasks, which can lead to faster battery drain. Created with help from Samsung, this new feature combines real user data on battery performance with Android’s own information. After testing it since April and improving it based on developer feedback, the system is now ready for full rollout. The company plans to use this measure to identify apps that use too much power by keeping devices awake for long periods. Starting on March 1, 2026, any app that keeps a device awake for longer than two hours in a day without a good reason will be flagged as excessive and subject to visibility penalties in the Google Play Store.
SurveyThe Play Store will then provide alerts to users, such as “This app may use more battery than expected due to high background activity,” urging developers to improve the efficiency of their apps and save battery life.
How do excessive partial wake locks work?
Google has introduced a new “excessive partial wake locks” metric to its Android Vitals program to better monitor how apps affect battery life. Wake locks keep a phone awake to perform tasks such as music playback or downloads, but overuse can quickly drain the battery. If more than 5% of an app’s sessions show excessive wake locks within a 28-day period, developers will receive warnings. Continued misuse may reduce the app’s visibility on the Google Play Store. While the app won’t be removed entirely, it will appear less often in search results and recommendations, which will potentially reduce its downloads.
Google says its system can distinguish legitimate use, noting that it’s smart enough to recognise when wake locks are being used properly. For example, music apps or downloads initiated by the user will not be penalised, since they serve a clear purpose. Only apps that misuse wake locks and harm battery life will be affected.
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Google’s collaboration with Samsung
Google and Samsung collaborated to develop a more intelligent and precise battery detecting system by combining their hardware and software skills. It also allowed Google to create the new rule based on how people actually use their devices daily, not just in lab tests. The length of time Samsung has been managing battery performance was important in making sure the new system gave more reliable and realistic results.
For everyday users, the update means that the battery life will seem more consistent and predictable across Android phones regardless of their brand.
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Furthermore, this begins a new era of responsibility for app developers, as now their apps will be judged more equitably upon their real-world behaviour. Google has released some new debugging tools to help developers find and fix the inefficient background processes before the penalties go into place. This way, developers can avoid penalties in the future by solving these problems early and creating more efficient apps for users.
The change is part of Google’s larger effort to improve the overall quality of apps on the Google Play Store.
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Bhaskar Sharma
Bhaskar is a senior copy editor at Digit India, where he simplifies complex tech topics across iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and emerging consumer tech. His work has appeared in iGeeksBlog, GuidingTech, and other publications, and he previously served as an assistant editor at TechBloat and TechReloaded. A B.Tech graduate and full-time tech writer, he is known for clear, practical guides and explainers. View Full Profile
