How to fix poor battery performance on Galaxy S8 after an update (battery drain issue)

Poor battery performance after an update is a common issue to many people worldwide. if you encounter this problem on your Galaxy S8, learn what to do by following our suggestions below.

Problem: Galaxy S8 severe battery drain issue after an update

Hi! I have a Samsung Galaxy S8 which has been amazing until today. I installed the October security patch the day before yesterday and this morning I noticed my battery was draining extremely quickly and charging very very slowly. I have it on medium power saving and I’m still losing 1% every 2-3 minutes. If it’s not in use, I’m losing 1% every 3-5 minutes. I optimized it earlier so background apps are closed, I keep my screen at about 30% brightness and I swipe out of apps as soon as I’m done with them. I haven’t gotten any error messages but when I clicked the link to fill this form out it gave me the option of using chrome or some red Samsung app. Don’t know if that’s weird but it’s never happened before because Chrome is my default. Typically I can use it throughout the day while at work and when I get home I’m at around 70% or so but today I was at 54% by the time I got to work and had to run home at lunch to grab a charger so it wouldn’t die right then. Help! I feel like an iPhone owner!! Thanks!

Solution: There’s no single effective solution for an issue like this. Battery drain issue can be triggered after an update but it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s an Android issue. In some cases, a new Android version can suddenly make some apps change their settings and create conflicts. When dealing with an issue like this, it’s important to consider all the factors, then narrow them down towards resolution. Below are the things that you can try.

Refresh the system cache

When faced with post-update issues, it’s important to consider clearing the cache partition right away to ensure that there’s a new system cache for Android to use. The operating system needs up-to-date temporary files called system cache in loading apps and doing specifici tasks. Android makes use of this cache to improve its general performance. At times though, this cache gets corrupted after an update causing slow downs and bugs. To minimize situations like this from occurring, you can refresh the system cache found in the cache partition.

Turn off the device.
Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
When the Android logo displays, release all three keys.
An ‘Installing system update’ message will show for 30 – 60 seconds before the Android system recovery menu options appear.
Press the Volume down key several times to highlight wipe cache partition.
Press Power key to select.
Press the Volume down key to highlight yes, them and press the Power key to select.
When the wipe cache partition is complete, Reboot system now is highlighted.
Press the Power key to restart the device.

Install app updates

Previously working apps may become a problem after an update. Keep in mind that updating Android won’t update the apps as well. Ideally, app developers must make necessary changes on their products to limit the chances of problems after an update. While this is true for many well supported apps, some may not be so. You can help by manually checking for available app updates right after you’ve updated Android. Be sure to keep your apps up-to-date by allowing Google Play Store to download and install updates for them. Here’s how:

Open Play Store app.
Tap More optiones on the upper left (three horizontal lines).
Tap Settings.
Tap Auto-update apps.
Select one of the following:
- Over any network
- Over Wi-Fi only
- Don’t auto-update apps.

We suggest that you only update on wifi to avoid incurring additional costs.

Reset app preferences

This troubleshooting step ensures that all default apps and services are enabled. Some apps may need default Samsung and Google apps to work properly. If some of these default apps have been disabled by accident, or changed after an update, it may create a conflict with the apps that need them.

To reset app preferences:

Open Settings app.
Tap Apps.
Tap on More settings at the upper right (three-dot icon).
Select Reset app preferences.
Restart your S8 and check for the problem.

Reset all settings

This procedure is separate from the previous one as it covers all settings of your Android device and not just the apps. To do this, follow the steps below:

From the Home screen, swipe up on an empty spot to open the Apps tray.
Tap General Management > Reset settings.
Tap Reset settings.
If you have set up a PIN, enter it.
Tap Reset settings. Once complete a confirmation window will appear.

Calibrate battery and OS

Sometimes, Android may lose track of the actual battery levels. To recalibrate the operating system so that it gets accurate battery level readings, do the following:

Drain the battery completely. This means using your device until it powers down by its own and the battery level reads 0%.
Charge the phone until it reaches 100%. Be sure to use original charging equipment for your device and let it charge up completely. Do not unplug your device for at least two more hours and also don’t use it while charging.
After the elapsed time, unplug your device.
Restart the device.
Use your phone until it completely runs out of power again.
Repeat steps 1-5.

Battery Usage

Fast battery drain is a perennial problem for both end users and manufacturers alike. In order to better manage the battery, Samsung provides a useful app that you can use to keep track of apps that consume power. This feature is in Settings and called Battery Usage. Make sure to use it so you’ll have an idea which apps to better manage.

Here’s how to open Battery Usage:

Open Settings app.
Tap Device maintenance.
Tap Battery.
Tap Battery Usage.

Under the Recent Battery Usage section, you’ll see a breakdown of the apps and services that uses the battery. If there’s an app that shows prominently on top of that list that you’re not using actively all the time, it may be one of the major causes for your battery drain issue. Recent Battery Usage section also shows the system apps like Screen, Android system, etc. in this list though there may be little to nothing that you can do about them. If Screen is the main culprit for the battery drain lately, you should consider dimming the screen to the lowest comfortable level.

Factory reset

This is may be the last in this list of troubleshooting steps but factory reset is often an effective way to return all parameters of the operating system to their normal setup. Make sure to do this if not one of our suggestions above won’t help.

To factory reset your S8:

Turn off the device.
Press and hold the Volume Up key and the Bixby key, then press and hold the Power key.
When the green Android logo displays, release all keys (‘Installing system update’ will show for about 30 – 60 seconds before showing the Android system recovery menu options).
Press the Volume down key several times to highlight ‘wipe data / factory reset’.
Press Power button to select.
Press the Volume down key until ‘Yes — delete all user data’ is highlighted.
Press Power button to select and start the master reset.
When the master reset is complete, ‘Reboot system now’ is highlighted.
Press the Power key to restart the device.
Set up your device again.