Battery usage by Play Services

[deleted]

Hi, do you know what is the effect of Google Play Services (with internet access and no battery optimization) on the battery ?

The 3 apps do not show in the battery panel in the settings but who knows.

treequell

Push notifications delivered by Play Services are highly optimized in terms of battery usage, even when granted unrestricted battery usage (which is required for reliable FCM push notifications).

If you need push notifications for a number of apps, then Google Play Services is going to be the way that uses the least battery.

If you don't need push notifications for any of your apps, and none of the apps have any other dependencies on Google Play Services, then there is no need to install Google Play Services in the first place.

[deleted]

Thanks. I'm disappointed uninstalling them will not save battery :/ no option on this side to save more battery.
I mostly use them for Play Store security (and reliability...) compared to Aurora, as I could put the very few apps that need them in another profile.

treequell

[deleted] Thanks. I'm disappointed uninstalling them will not save battery

That's not quite what I said. If you uninstall Google Play Services, it means one less active app running in the background on your device, and therefore less power consumption. I just don't expect it to make a big difference, that's all.

[deleted]

[deleted] if a high number of apps rely on their on their own push notification implementation supported by unresticted battery use @treequell is right. But try running without Play Services with your setup for a while and make your own mind up. The latter works for me better. This forum is not a bible and mods are not prophets. Take everything with a pinch of salt.

[deleted]

Disappointed... I barely get 4 hours of screen time.
I don't even dare go out on a bike ride with a GPS app or on a bikepacking trip...
For a 2022 $570 Pixel 7, that's pitiful

I only use Vanadium (_1h/day), Signal (_1h/day), Spotify(20minday) and less than 10 minutes a day on these apps : K9 mail, Aves Gallery, WhatsApp, calculator,... With Play services installed.

Disabling 90Hz, GPS, Always-on and 5g and enabling battery saver all day long did not change something significantly 👎

Ram

[deleted] I have pixel 6a and my phone last for one day (Sometimes extra half day).

Here is how I use my phone.

App Usage:

Libretube for 1-1.5 hr
Antennapod for 3-4 hrs
Whatsapp, Proton Mail for 10 min
Web Browsing for 1-2 hrs
Retro Music for 1-1.5 hrs
Accubattery always active
System Settings:
-Network 4g (I use 5g only to download large amount of data like 10gb when I am outside).
Data Saver on all the time
Battery Saver on all the time
Auto Sync OFF
-Location OFF (until I need)
Dark mode always ON
-Pitch Black Wallpaper on both Home & Lock screen
-Pitch Black Theme on every app if available otherwise dark theme

Note, I was using play services to get notifications. I use 90% of the time bluetooth earphone.

My recommandations:

-If you have multiple apps which depends on google play services and also if you have no problem to use play services. Then use play services.

-Use pitch dark theme in apps (if available)
-Use Battery Saver & Data Saver.

If you don't have better coverage 5g then use 4g.
Use 60Hz
(from My Personal Findings ) Last but very effective, In your battery usage section, see if a program named "Media Server" is listed. If it is then this program causing the battery drain. To solve this I had to install play services. If you want to know more - https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/6346-idle-battery-drain-is-high

Edit: I forgot to add that I always use my phone between 30% and 80%. All that app usage was between this range. That means I use only (80-30=) 50% of my battery. And now I use "unlauncher".

zzz

Perhaps this isn't helpful, but for what its worth:

I get 36-48 hours per charge on my 2022 pixel 7

Owner profile use only
Signal installed directly from the developer's apk.
Battery usage set to "Optimized".
No google anything on the profile.
Other apps are installed via a mix of Aurora, Obtainium, and manual apk downloads.

Some usage info, looking at Signal for comparison purposes:
Settings -> Battery -> Battery Usage usually reports about 20% of my usage from Signal.
I average about 30 notifications/day from Signal.

Other than GPS, not sure what's different with your setup and why your battery is struggling so much - are there any other settings we could compare to troubleshoot?

[deleted]

zzz

I get 36-48 hours per charge on my 2022 pixel 7

Wow 🤩🫨

I installed Signal from Play Store and battery stats show 4%.

[deleted]

Ram

Thanks you for the reply !
Your battery capacity duration make me dream
All my apps are "optimized" except Google Messages and Play Services. Dark mode already set, 60Hz and Battery saver too. No "media saver".
I have little hope but enabled Data saver

Ram

[deleted] I forgot to tell you that you should check "Media Server" in morning. Because when you are not using your phone for long duration(e.g. in night) then it is best time to check your idle battery drain.
I think some apps or system service draining the battery.

You should install accubattery (with network permission off and also give it usage access). Before sleeping, note down your battery percentage, take screenshot of battery usage. In morning, take screenshot of battery usage in settings as well as in accubattery. Keep it doing for 4-5 days and compare which app & service was active during night.

Here is the all the different combination before going to bed you can use (I am assuming that you still have play services installed):

1st time, reboot the phone and enter the password so that app & services will autostart. Wi-Fi & mobile data OFF if possible keep aeroplane mode ON.
2nd time, reboot the phone and enter the password. Wi-Fi or Mobile Data ON.

Compare the usage of both days

3rd time, don't reboot the phone. Wi-Fi & mobile data OFF.
4th time, same setup as third one but keep Wi-Fi or Mobile Data ON.

Compare the battery usage.

It will give you rough idea which app or services causing problem. 8% idle battery drain for (assuming 8 hrs) means you are losing approx 24% battery in 24 hrs without using your device.

I think i am looking stupid by writing this type of thing on a technical discussion forum 😥.

[deleted]

Ram

Don't be ashamed to help me out with such hacky advice! It's perfecto fine thank you for the help I will test.