Google Targets Battery-Leeching Apps: New Android Wake Lock Rules Spark Developer Panic
Google is set to tackle notorious battery-draining apps on Google Play. Apps exceeding the “bad behavior threshold” for excessive wake locks might be flagged or hidden. Developers have until March 1, 2026, to comply with the new Android Vitals metric. No more excuses—save battery life or face the consequences!
Hot Take:
Google is putting the kibosh on apps with the energy appetite of a teenager at a buffet. Soon enough, these battery-guzzling apps will either shape up or ship out of the Android ecosystem. So, developers, if your app is acting like it just downed a triple espresso, you might want to rein it in before Google gives it the boot.
Key Points:
- Google Play will now crack down on Android apps with high background activity and excessive battery usage.
- Apps surpassing the “bad behavior threshold” might get flagged and lose visibility on Google Play.
- Developers have until March 1, 2026, to comply with the new Android Vitals metric: “excessive partial wake locks.”
- The algorithm to measure app behavior has been in beta since April 14, developed with Samsung’s help.
- The new policy targets battery performance and technical quality, not necessarily app security.
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