Android 14, the upcoming version of Google’s mobile operating system, is expected to bring a new feature that will allow users to check the health of their device’s battery. This feature, which is already available on iOS devices, will show the battery’s maximum remaining capacity and the number of charge cycles it has undergone.
Battery health is a measure of how well a battery can hold its charge and deliver power to the device. Over time, batteries degrade due to factors such as age, usage, temperature, and charging habits. This results in reduced battery capacity and performance, which can affect the user experience and the device’s longevity.
By checking the battery health, users can get an idea of how much their battery has degraded and whether they need to replace it or not. Replacing a worn-out battery can improve the device’s performance and extend its lifespan. It can also prevent potential safety issues such as overheating, swelling, or exploding of the battery.
How will Android 14 show battery health?
According to Mishaal Rahman, a former editor-in-chief of XDA-Developers, Android 14 has added some new BatteryManager APIs that can provide battery health information. These APIs can report the device’s manufacturing date, date of first use, charging policy, state of health, cycle count, and charging status.
However, these APIs are not accessible to all apps by default. Only apps with the BATTERY_STATS permission can call these APIs, and this permission can only be granted through ADB, a command-line tool for debugging Android devices. This means that users will need to connect their device to a computer and run some commands to enable this feature.
Rahman has also shared an open-source app called Batt that uses these new APIs to display the device’s battery health and charge cycles. Users can download this app from GitLab and try it on their device if it is running Android 14 Beta 2 or higher. However, the accuracy of the data the app shares cannot be guaranteed, as it depends on the information tracked by the device’s hardware and software.
Will Android 14 have a native battery health feature?
It is not clear whether Google will add a native battery health feature to the stable version of Android 14 or not. Currently, the feature is hidden behind some permissions and commands, which makes it difficult for average users to access. Moreover, the feature may not work on all devices, as it relies on the support of the device’s hardware and software.
However, the existence of the new APIs suggests that Google is working on the feature and intends to release it someday. We hope that Google will make the feature more accessible and reliable in a future Android release, so that users can easily check their battery health and take appropriate actions.
How can users improve their battery health?
While users cannot prevent their battery from degrading over time, they can take some steps to slow down the process and prolong their battery life. Some of the tips to improve battery health are:
- Avoid extreme temperatures, especially high heat, as they can damage the battery and reduce its capacity.
- Avoid overcharging or deep discharging the battery, as they can stress the battery and shorten its lifespan. Ideally, keep the battery level between 20% and 80% most of the time.
- Use the original charger and cable that came with the device, or a compatible one that meets the device’s specifications. Using a wrong or faulty charger can harm the battery and the device.
- Turn off or reduce the usage of features that consume a lot of battery, such as GPS, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, mobile data, brightness, and vibration. Also, close or uninstall apps that run in the background and drain the battery.
- Update the device’s software regularly, as updates may include bug fixes and optimizations that can improve the battery performance and efficiency.
By following these tips, users can maintain their battery health and enjoy their device for a longer time.
