How to Check Which Apps Use the Most Battery on Your Phone

Open your phone's Settings and go to the Battery screen to see per-app battery use and whether the drain happens while the app is on screen or running in the background. On both Android and iPhone you can tap an app entry for details, then take targeted steps such as restricting background activity or enabling battery optimizations; consider vetted third-party monitors only if built-in tools do not give enough detail.

Quick how-to: open the battery usage screen

Different manufacturers and iOS versions label the battery area slightly differently. Below are concise, step-by-step procedures for the built-in screens on each platform so you can quickly identify the top battery consumers.

Android (general steps)

Open Settings and find "Battery" or "Battery & performance". The exact name varies by vendor and Android version.
Tap "Battery usage", "Usage details", or a similar entry. Some phones show by-app usage directly on the Battery main screen.
Scroll the list to see apps ranked by consumption. Tap an app to see more details and available controls (for example, "Restrict" or "Optimize").
If you don't see background vs screen-on breakdown, look for a three-dot menu or "Show full device usage".

iPhone (iOS)

Open Settings and select Battery.
In Battery you will see "Last 24 Hours" and "Last 10 Days" graphs and a list of apps showing battery use.
Tap an app name to reveal Activity (screen-on time and background activity) and, on some versions, additional toggles such as Background App Refresh settings.
Use the graphs and the app list to compare recent patterns (short-term spikes vs ongoing drain).

Understand what the numbers mean: screen-on vs background usage

Seeing a high percentage for an app does not automatically mean the app is misbehaving. The Battery screen shows how much of the phone's total battery that app used during the reported period; many apps use more power because you used them a lot. The important distinction is whether the energy was spent while you actively used the app (screen-on) or while the app ran without your interaction (background).

High screen-on usage: You used the app a long time, or it keeps the display at high brightness. Action: reduce screen time, enable dark mode, lower brightness, or limit features like autoplay video.
High background usage: The app performed work while you weren’t using it (sync, location, push services). Action: restrict background activity, change permissions or disable background refresh.

Decision criteria for what to do first

If an app's battery share tracks with your known usage patterns, prioritize behavior change (use less, change settings).
If an app has disproportionate background activity compared with rarely being opened, prioritize permission and background restrictions.
If battery use rises suddenly after an update, consider clearing cache (Android), offloading the app (iOS), or reinstalling.

Step-by-step actions you can take right after checking usage

After you identify which apps are using the most battery, use the following concrete actions. Start with the least disruptive and move to stronger measures if needed.

Adjust in-app settings: Turn off autoplay, reduce refresh frequency, disable high-frequency location use.
Restrict background activity: On Android, tap the app and choose "Restrict" or toggle background activity off; on iPhone, disable Background App Refresh for the app.
Limit permissions: Set location permission to "While Using" instead of "Always", disable unnecessary notification types, and remove background data permissions where applicable.
Enable system battery optimizations: Use Android's Battery Optimization or Adaptive Battery features and iPhone's Low Power Mode when appropriate.
Update or reinstall: Install the latest app update or uninstall and reinstall to clear potential glitches.
Uninstall if not needed: If the app is not essential and still consumes significant battery, remove it.

For guidance on limiting background work more broadly, see the internal guide on Reduce background activity. For general system tweaks to squeeze more runtime from a charge, consult Extend battery life.

When to consider third-party battery monitoring tools

Built-in tools are sufficient in most cases, but a third-party app may help if you need longer historical records or finer-grained charts. Use trusted apps only, because battery monitors require permissions and may themselves contribute to drain.

Check reviews and permissions before installing.
Prefer apps from known developers and official app stores.
Cross-check third-party readings against the system battery screen; discrepancies often reflect how the app measures time or classifies usage.

For vetted options and caveats about permission levels, review the internal page on Battery monitoring tools.

Checklist: fast audit you can do in 5 minutes

Open the Battery screen and note the top two consumers.
For each top app, check whether usage is mostly screen-on or background.
For background-heavy apps, disable Background App Refresh or restrict background activity.
For screen-heavy apps, reduce brightness, enable dark mode, and close the app when not in use.
If an app spikes after an update, reinstall or contact the developer before uninstalling.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Assuming percentage equals misbehavior: A large percent can simply reflect heavy use; check absolute time or compare with your actual usage.
Turning off useful features blindly: Disabling background activity for messaging or calendar apps can break timely notifications—adjust selectively.
Installing random battery savers: Many third-party "boost" apps promise dramatic gains but add overhead. Use only reputable tools and verify impact.
Overlooking system settings: Screen brightness, adaptive display features, and scheduled syncs are often the real culprits.

Closing: use the data to take targeted action

How to Check Which Apps Use the Most Battery is straightforward: use the built-in Battery screen, compare screen-on vs background activity, and apply targeted fixes such as restricting background activity or changing permissions. Start with low-impact changes (in-app settings and system optimizations) and escalate only if an app continues to show disproportionate background work. If built-in tools leave you wanting more detail, consult vetted monitoring apps carefully and cross-check their findings against the system report.