Solution: How I reduced my hourly battery drain rate from 5%+ to 1%+

**aj.bb.fanatic** · 02-04-2012, 04:46 PM

Thought I'd share, for the benefit of others with the same concerns.

Background:
Almost bought a new battery when I noticed my battery had been draining at a high rate 5%+ / hour (reported by BlackBerry Device Analyzer). Decided to give it a last ditch effort, radically following glassofpinot's suggestion in this thread:
Need some suggestions/advice...

Suggestion:
1. Review stats/figures available for installed apps. Take note of apps that top "CPU", "Usage", and "Memory" (not Application Storage) stats in Application Management
2. Review details of Battery Drain Trends from BlackBerry Device Analyzer. Take note of modules/apps with "Highest CPU Time"
3. Re-assess whether apps are crucial to you. If there's a web-app available (web service instead of native app), consider uninstalling. If you rarely use it, or haven't used it for quite a while, consider uninstalling too (you probably don't need it that much).
4. Uninstall the apps you've decided to remove.
5. Check Application Management stats and Battery Drain Trend details again after a day or two to compare results.

Essentially, it boils down to keeping your installed apps at a minimum. Sounds too simple, but with the help of available information, you can approach it scientifically, for better results.

In my case, here's the difference:
A couple of days before doing this, my fully charged battery drained by about 60% overnight (yes, while I was asleep).

After doing this, 10 hours of standby/fair usage (yes, daytime) drained my fully charged battery by about 25%.

*Of course, results per person may vary depending on varying circumstances/considerations.

If you have questions/clarifications, I'd be glad to help out. Also, further suggestions are welcome.

Hope this helps those with similar problems. Cheers!

----

By the way, thanks to peter9477 for helping me narrow down what was going wrong. He helped me understand how batteries worked, and clarified myths concerning charging/discharging. Thanks again Peter!

**javidben** · 02-05-2012, 11:58 AM

Hi, thanks for the advice, I'm using the 9860 for a week. The battery lasts for about 10 hours, when I checked my battery drain it was 6%/ hour. I have the 1200mAh. And I only have a few apps, can you help me with my battery problem?

**Silverfern** · 02-05-2012, 12:33 PM

where do you find the blackberry device analyzer?

and where do you see what your hourly drain is?

**aj.bb.fanatic** · 02-05-2012, 01:53 PM

Originally Posted by Silverfern

where do you find the blackberry device analyzer?

and where do you see what your hourly drain is?

Hi Silverfern,

I got my copy here: rroyy.com
Please consider donating to help keep the site running.

The hourly drain rate can be found inside the Device Analyzer when you start monitoring usage.
Download and install the app. You won't see an app icon anywhere. It will be installed as an additional item under Options -- Device -- Advanced System Settings.
Choose BlackBerry Device Analyzer and you'll see six options for testing/checking your phone. The 2nd item is Battery Tests.
Click that and select one of the three problem scenarios. Any one of them will allow you to "start" analyzing device usage.
It will run in the background.
Just go about using your phone as you normally would.
After a day or two (just so that you have enough data), check back and you'll see "View Battery Drain Trends".
Select that and you'll see a graph of how your battery is drained and charged per day. Click on a day to expand per hour. On either views, you can just select "Details" and it will show you all the data it captured regarding usage.

Hope this helps.

Please feel free to post further questions/clarifications.

**aj.bb.fanatic** · 02-05-2012, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by javidben

Hi, thanks for the advice, I'm using the 9860 for a week. The battery lasts for about 10 hours, when I checked my battery drain it was 6%/ hour. I have the 1200mAh. And I only have a few apps, can you help me with my battery problem?

Hi javidben,

You're most welcome. I posted this to really help people get the most out of their batteries. Glad you appreciate it.

About your concern, I'd be glad to help you out. Actually, that was roughly how my phone battery lasted too.
And about the 6% drain rate, it's slightly higher than mine was.

Since you mentioned having only a few apps installed, here are some possible scenarios that may contribute to your concern:
1. It could be that one of those apps may be continuously/regularly accessing the network to update certain info (like weather apps, FB, etc.). When this happens, it eats up battery power to use the processor too (as it processes the information it downloads). Check the apps you have installed to see if there are apps like this. If you can do without it, consider removing. Then observe for a few days (checking the Device Analyzer results) to see if things have improved.
2. What "Network Mode" is your phone using? 2G, 3G or 2G&3G? I found that 2G eats up less power. Of course, 2G connection takes more time to download/upload info when you're browsing; that's why in my case, I just switch it on to 3G when needed (i.e. Internet browsing, Using Maps, Downloading files, etc.). This will require a few extra steps (switching connection modes) for certain tasks you want to do, but I find it worthwhile, if only to improve battery performance.
3. Are there certain areas you go to where network signal is quite low? If you frequent areas with low network signal, your phone uses up more power to locate a better cell tower. Of course, you can't do anything about it since it has to do with the network provider. But knowing will help you understand what may be causing your battery to drain faster. When I'm at a place where the signal is really low (and I know I'll be there for a while), I just switch off / un-check the Mobile Network (under Manage Connections) to save the phone from constantly trying. This requires developing a simple habit but I find that it helps lengthen my phone's battery life.

If you aren't yet doing these, I would suggest taking a look at these three areas and making certain adjustments. I'm pretty sure you'll get better performance from your battery.

Hope this helps. Please feel free to post further questions/clarifications.

**Krypto** · 02-05-2012, 08:01 PM

Just an FYI, you don't need to download the Device Analyzer from rroyy.com (which, given the fact that he claims to be rich, doesn't need the money - don't forget that he's already clearly stated that he just uses that money to go our drinking). It comes preinstalled on OS 7.1. If you've upgraded to 7.1, its available under Options > Device > Advanced System Settings. Its there.

**javidben** · 02-05-2012, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by aj.bb.fanatic

Hi javidben,

You're most welcome. I posted this to really help people get the most out of their batteries. Glad you appreciate it.

About your concern, I'd be glad to help you out. Actually, that was roughly how my phone battery lasted too.
And about the 6% drain rate, it's slightly higher than mine was.

Since you mentioned having only a few apps installed, here are some possible scenarios that may contribute to your concern:
1. It could be that one of those apps may be continuously/regularly accessing the network to update certain info (like weather apps, FB, etc.). When this happens, it eats up battery power to use the processor too (as it processes the information it downloads). Check the apps you have installed to see if there are apps like this. If you can do without it, consider removing. Then observe for a few days (checking the Device Analyzer results) to see if things have improved.
2. What "Network Mode" is your phone using? 2G, 3G or 2G&3G? I found that 2G eats up less power. Of course, 2G connection takes more time to download/upload info when you're browsing; that's why in my case, I just switch it on to 3G when needed (i.e. Internet browsing, Using Maps, Downloading files, etc.). This will require a few extra steps (switching connection modes) for certain tasks you want to do, but I find it worthwhile, if only to improve battery performance.
3. Are there certain areas you go to where network signal is quite low? If you frequent areas with low network signal, your phone uses up more power to locate a better cell tower. Of course, you can't do anything about it since it has to do with the network provider. But knowing will help you understand what may be causing your battery to drain faster. When I'm at a place where the signal is really low (and I know I'll be there for a while), I just switch off / un-check the Mobile Network (under Manage Connections) to save the phone from constantly trying. This requires developing a simple habit but I find that it helps lengthen my phone's battery life.

If you aren't yet doing these, I would suggest taking a look at these three areas and making certain adjustments. I'm pretty sure you'll get better performance from your battery.

Hope this helps. Please feel free to post further questions/clarifications.

Most of my apps are offline apps / do not use internet. probably only ubertwitter, social feeds, and facebook, the rest don't use internet.

about my 3g / 2g connection, I usually use the 3G and the connection isn't that bad. but since a few days ago i've strarted using the 2g and it saves some battery life so that's good news.

And I'm already using the 7.1.0.205 OS, the original OS that I was provided with when I bought the phone was 7.0.0.638, and that battery life only lasted 6 hours so that's a bust. I'm thinking about buying a bigger battery, about 2000mAh - 3000mAh.

what do you think?

**aj.bb.fanatic** · 02-06-2012, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by Krypto

Just an FYI, you don't need to download the Device Analyzer from rroyy.com (which, given the fact that he claims to be rich, doesn't need the money - don't forget that he's already clearly stated that he just uses that money to go our drinking). It comes preinstalled on OS 7.1. If you've upgraded to 7.1, its available under Options > Device > Advanced System Settings. Its there.

Thanks for the info, Krypto. I hope all the other carriers release 7.1 for their subscribers then. Seems there's a lot that most people are missing out on. Anyway, just in case readers don't feel like upgrading their OS, at least they know where they can also get it.
About the site and donating, having said what you said, I now think that maybe he should bring me along for a round of beer!

**aj.bb.fanatic** · 02-06-2012, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by javidben

Most of my apps are offline apps / do not use internet. probably only ubertwitter, social feeds, and facebook, the rest don't use internet.

about my 3g / 2g connection, I usually use the 3G and the connection isn't that bad. but since a few days ago i've strarted using the 2g and it saves some battery life so that's good news.

And I'm already using the 7.1.0.205 OS, the original OS that I was provided with when I bought the phone was 7.0.0.638, and that battery life only lasted 6 hours so that's a bust. I'm thinking about buying a bigger battery, about 2000mAh - 3000mAh.

what do you think?

About your apps, although most of them may not use the internet, you may want to check if they stay working in the background. Some of the apps I uninstalled stayed in the background even though I never opened them. Those apps use your memory and processor, and thereby eating up battery power. If you have a few, that might be minimal, but if you have a lot, then the effect is compounded.

About 2G connection, yeah, that really helps. Glad you were able to extend your battery life a bit with that.

Lastly, about buying a bigger battery, if it's an authentic/recommended BlackBerry battery, then you should be fine. If it's not, then you might want to think twice before buying it. My experience with replacement batteries (as some would call it) are not so good. That is, they work well over long hours for the first few days, then just quickly lose their ability to hold/provide power.

Also, I'm not too sure if the battery specs you mentioned are indeed recommended by BlackBerry. Frankly, I usually would just go for a spare battery with the same specs to avoid risks of frying my phone's internals (of course, that's an extreme scenario).

**up488** · 02-07-2012, 11:51 PM

My device analyzer is telling me I'm at about 3% on my 9860. Not bad I suppose.

**TTBGF** · 02-08-2012, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by up488

My device analyzer is telling me I'm at about 3% on my 9860. Not bad I suppose.

No, that's not bad, THAT IS SUPER!!!

I'm jealous.

**up488** · 02-08-2012, 07:02 PM

Ahaha, don't be jealous. I'm now at 3.59% according to the analyzer. Took my phone off the charger at midnight last night, its now 9PM and I have 25% battery left after a fairly light day of phone calls and emails. Going back on the charger now.

What about you?

**TTBGF** · 02-08-2012, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by up488

Ahaha, don't be jealous. I'm now at 3.59% according to the analyzer. Took my phone off the charger at midnight last night, its now 9PM and I have 25% battery left after a fairly light day of phone calls and emails. Going back on the charger now.

What about you?

its really relative, but on average I'd say i get around 5% drain rate. Low usage periods I see it as low as 2%......heavy usage as high as 8%!!!

I've stopped trying to figure out the patterns and reasons, because I've never been to a point where the battery ran down under 10% before I got home in the evening.

I just keep hoping Rim puts as much effort into battery and memory management as they do into features,bells and whistles in the OS updates they release.

**up488** · 02-08-2012, 07:28 PM

Yeah I'm not one to really pay attention to my battery drainage either as long as it lasts me through the day, which it usually does. I never did have the battery life issues most complain about. Knock wood!

**trsbbs** · 02-09-2012, 10:06 AM

Good suggestions, but I feel having to remove apps defeats the purpose of having a smartphone.

RIM needs to allow or make exteneded use batteries for this phone. With them coding the batteries and then not making an extended battery is a little on the stupid side.

Tim

**aj.bb.fanatic** · 02-09-2012, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by up488

My device analyzer is telling me I'm at about 3% on my 9860. Not bad I suppose.

That's about alright, up488! You may want to check every once in a while, like when you install a new app. There are some apps that can take up quite a huge drain on the processor/memory and subsequently, the battery.

**aj.bb.fanatic** · 02-09-2012, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by trsbbs

Good suggestions, but I feel having to remove apps defeats the purpose of having a smartphone.

RIM needs to allow or make exteneded use batteries for this phone. With them coding the batteries and then not making an extended battery is a little on the stupid side.

Tim

Thanks Tim!

Yeah, I agree it kinda defeats the purpose of having a smartphone, especially if you can't install a lot of apps on it. The solution of uninstalling rarely used apps was more of a last ditch effort for me. Would have been so much better if I didn't need to do that.

Yup, I sure hope they come up with improvements on the battery end. It would definitely help a lot.

**Undenied** · 03-17-2012, 04:57 AM

Originally Posted by aj.bb.fanatic

Almost bought a new battery when I noticed my battery had been draining at a high rate 5%+ / hour (reported by BlackBerry Device Analyzer).

I'm new to this managing my device and battery, I feel like I have no idea what I'm doing. Only recently did I get the 9850 and noticed that I got a lot of things to learn about being a responsible BlackBerry user. I took your suggestions and began elimination of apps I had and saw which I can live without like BofA and BatteryWatch and even BBM Music and Podcast, etc.

This 5%+ drain rate you were experiencing, was that during regular use or when your device was idle throughout the night? When I ran my first test, without deleting apps I noticed my battery draining at a rate of 7+%/hr; after app deletions it's currently 4.28%/hr; and 1+%/hr when idle.

Thanks for your posts and helpful information. I look forward to learning a lot more.

**NoahFecks** · 03-17-2012, 08:23 PM

I've posted this here quite a few times, that battery drainage can be cut significantly by reducing screen brightness and timeout to as low as possible (I have mine set at 10 and 20 sec. respectively). Also, using EDGE rather than 3G/4G will greatly help reduce battery drainage (although AT&T has removed the ability to select EDGE).

Apps that are installed but not running in the background or trying to access the internet have no effect on the battery. Apps that update themselves periodically (Facebook, Twitter, Social Feeds, Google Sync, etc.) will drain the battery of course, and for those, simply logging out of them or using a manual update option will help a lot.

That being said, I've been using these practices forever with great results, but I have to admit that I have the worst battery life on the latest build (7.1.0.267) that I've ever had before. I attribute it to the forced 3G/4G by AT&T. I've hardly ever seen a significant difference between EDGE and 3G speeds that keeping my phone in EDGE mode was fine for me, but now that I am unable to select EDGE it takes a significant toll on the battery.

**Undenied** · 03-18-2012, 12:48 AM

Originally Posted by NoahFecks

Also, using EDGE rather than 3G/4G will greatly help reduce battery drainage (although AT&T has removed the ability to select EDGE).

How is this achieved? I'm on Sprint, is this only achievable when you're on GSM?

Originally Posted by NoahFecks

I've posted this here quite a few times, that battery drainage can be cut significantly by reducing screen brightness and timeout to as low as possible (I have mine set at 10 and 20 sec. respectively).

I love you man! (no homo) I did this and at the end of the day the battery drain rate went from 4.28% to 3.12% during normal use, 2.87% when idle. It's 11pm and there's still 36% of battery life. Cheers!

**kubanoba** · 03-19-2012, 02:49 PM

Hi aj.bb.fanatic !

I have the same problem that you report. Here are my details and my findings:

- I fully charge the 9860 battery.
- I start the Device analyzer around 12AM.
- No app is running
- At 8AM i look to analyzer and found that the only thing that works is the mobile antenna network (???). No app uses this (browser off, all social apps off, nothing!)
- BB only use EDGE connection (2G)
- If I put on bedside mode (antenna off) battery goes from 100% to 95%. Otherwise 8 hours later goes from 100% to 60%
- No third party apps installed.
- The OS version is bundle .267

I can't have the BB on bedside mode because my work sometimes I'm oncall and someone could call me so I need to answer it.

Any suggestion??

Thanks in advance!!!

Regards,

--
KubanoBA

**rickkel** · 03-19-2012, 04:51 PM

Originally Posted by javidben

Most of my apps are offline apps / do not use internet. probably only ubertwitter, social feeds, and facebook, the rest don't use internet.

It's my understanding that the Social Feeds app is a big battery waster. I only use Facebook, so I uninstalled that pronto. However each of the social apps in the options area let you choose how often the app goes out and gets new data. On Facebook I set it at he highest setting (every 3 hours). However you can set it to "never" and when you open the app it instantly updates. If you don't care about being "dinged" for every post on FB, you will save alot of juice setting it to update less.

If you have a weather app (I got the free BeWeather app from App World) it has similar setting choices.

I have tons of apps on my phone and the battery will last well over 24 hours if I need to.

**klarke1983** · 06-30-2012, 07:22 PM

Nice read i'm having similar problems with my 9860
and with these changes i hope to see my battery lasting longer

**raj_ra** · 08-11-2012, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by klarke1983

Nice read i'm having similar problems with my 9860
and with these changes i hope to see my battery lasting longer

Here my take on extended batteries for BB 9860

Momax 1400 mah- Working well with OS 7.1.0.569. No need of decoder

E-cell Gold battery- 2430 mah- Working Well ith OS 7.1.0.569. Only needs to be decoded once.

Innocell 3000mAh Extended Life Battery- This battery is meant for BB 9900 but it works well with BB 9860 on OS 7.1.0.569. No need of Decoder. The back door provided with this extended battery is meant for BB 9900. In order to have back door for 9860 you need to order those cheap chinese extended batteries for 9860 with extended back door( Keep in mind to order battery with minimum rating more than 3000 mah other wise back door won't fit).

**Bobcat665** · 08-16-2012, 04:47 AM

Originally Posted by kubanoba

I can't have the BB on bedside mode because my work sometimes I'm oncall and someone could call me so I need to answer it.

What do you mean that you can't have your phone in Bedside Mode?

If you dig deep enough into the options of the clock app, you can set things up so that you can have the Alerts profile automatically set to "Phone Calls Only" when you put your phone into Bedside Mode. Why go without it?