Stock Browser, major battery hog!

[nitsuj]

This problem just started for me, I'd say in the last 2 weeks. Only a few hours after taking my phone off charge at 100% my battery was very low. 30% or so. This is unusual for my use. Looking at the battery use screen always shows browser as using 80% or more of my battery. It seems like if I start the browser, it keeps running in the background, and for some reason is using tons of power. I do have an app killer program, but sometimes I forget to use it. I thought one of the big bennefits to the Android OS was it's ability to automatically shut down programs not in use to preserve memory and battery life. So, what gives?

 

[hookbill]

This problem just started for me, I'd say in the last 2 weeks. Only a few hours after taking my phone off charge at 100% my battery was very low. 30% or so. This is unusual for my use. Looking at the battery use screen always shows browser as using 80% or more of my battery. It seems like if I start the browser, it keeps running in the background, and for some reason is using tons of power. I do have an app killer program, but sometimes I forget to use it. I thought one of the big bennefits to the Android OS was it's ability to automatically shut down programs not in use to preserve memory and battery life. So, what gives?

You're absolutely right, the browser on my phone is always running the browser in the background yet shows 0 battery use.

Perhaps you have an app running that is using the browser?

 

[Ghostwheel]

This problem just started for me, I'd say in the last 2 weeks. Only a few hours after taking my phone off charge at 100% my battery was very low. 30% or so. This is unusual for my use. Looking at the battery use screen always shows browser as using 80% or more of my battery. It seems like if I start the browser, it keeps running in the background, and for some reason is using tons of power. I do have an app killer program, but sometimes I forget to use it. I thought one of the big bennefits to the Android OS was it's ability to automatically shut down programs not in use to preserve memory and battery life. So, what gives?

If it's running in the background, and you leave it on a web page that autorefreshes, that might cause higher drain. Try leaving it in a static page (i.e. Wikipedia). That might help a bit.

 

[nitsuj]

I'll try that thanks. I don't think I have an app thats using the browser that's always running. Unless Weatherbug uses the browser. Who knows. Maybe it's time I start going through my apps and trimming the fat.

 

[LifeIsABeach]

Do you leave the browser on google.com when you exit? There have been some reports of that draining the battery continually seraching for a gps signal. I set my homepage to about:blank and go to that before I exit the browser (I use Dolphin, but should be the same for stock).

 

[nitsuj]

I don't usually pay attention to what page the browser is on when I close it. I just stop whatever I'm doing and go back to the home screen. Seems like a hassle to have to have to make sure I'm on just the right page to not kill the battery. But I guess it's what needs to be done.

 

[jsh1120]

The default browser activates GPS for the "near me now" feature on the Google home page. Neither Dolphin nor xScope does so.

(Whatever Google did when they implemented "Buzz" resulted in an error for every browser but the default. No coincidence that Google is the source of the default browser, I think.)

My guess is that those who are experiencing major battery drain from the default browser are actually being hit with GPS searching. Try turning off your GPS and see if there's a difference. (The default browser will then use cell towers rather than the GPS for the "near me now" feature.)

Of course, one can also use either Dolphin or xScope and avoid the problem altogether.

 

[hookbill]

The default browser activates GPS for the "near me now" feature on the Google home page. Neither Dolphin nor xScope does so.

(Whatever Google did when they implemented "Buzz" resulted in an error for every browser but the default. No coincidence that Google is the source of the default browser, I think.)

My guess is that those who are experiencing major battery drain from the default browser are actually being hit with GPS searching. Try turning off your GPS and see if there's a difference. (The default browser will then use cell towers rather than the GPS for the "near me now" feature.)

Of course, one can also use either Dolphin or xScope and avoid the problem altogether.

If it was the GPS wouldn't it indicate it as GPS in the battery use? I do believe there's a category for that.

 

[takeshi]

I don't usually pay attention to what page the browser is on when I close it. I just stop whatever I'm doing and go back to the home screen. Seems like a hassle to have to have to make sure I'm on just the right page to not kill the battery. But I guess it's what needs to be done.

Pay attention to your notification bar. If GPS is on and you're not using it then you're probably leaving it on a page that uses GPS. That will eat your battery very quickly.