How to Check Battery Health on Android

Is your phone battery dying faster than it used to? It’s a common frustration that can leave you scrambling for a charger at the worst possible moments. Over time, the lithium-ion battery in your Android phone naturally loses its ability to hold a full charge. This process, known as battery degradation, is unavoidable, but understanding its current state—its “health”—can help you manage your device more effectively and decide when it’s time for a replacement.

Unlike iPhones, which have a straightforward “Battery Health” percentage in their settings, most Android devices don’t offer such a clear-cut feature. This leaves many users wondering how to get an accurate picture of their battery’s condition. The good news is that with a few simple techniques, you can get the insights you need.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about checking your Android’s battery health. We will cover:

• Using your phone’s built-in settings to see battery usage.
• Accessing hidden diagnostic menus with secret dial codes.
• Leveraging powerful third-party apps for detailed analysis.
• Tips for extending your battery’s lifespan.
• Signs that indicate it might be time to replace your battery.

Why Bother Checking Your Battery Health?

Before diving into the methods, it’s helpful to understand why monitoring your battery health is important. A battery’s health is different from its current charge level. Health refers to its maximum capacity compared to when it was new. For example, a battery with 80% health can only hold 80% of its original charge.

Here’s why it matters:

• Performance Insight: A degraded battery can cause unexpected shutdowns, especially in cold weather or when running demanding apps.
• Informed Decisions: Knowing your battery’s health helps you decide if performance issues are due to the battery or another problem. It also tells you when a replacement is a worthwhile investment.
• Improved Usage Habits: Understanding what affects your battery can encourage better charging habits, helping you prolong its overall lifespan.
• Resale Value: If you plan to sell your phone, a device history report that includes good battery health can increase its value and provide transparency to the buyer.

Method 1: Use the Built-in Android Settings

While most Android phones don’t show a simple health percentage, they all provide some basic battery information in the settings menu. This is the first place you should look to get a general idea of your battery’s status and what’s using the most power.

The exact steps can vary slightly depending on your phone’s manufacturer (e.g., Samsung, Google Pixel, OnePlus), but the process is generally similar.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open the Settings App: Find and tap the gear icon on your home screen or in your app drawer.
2. Navigate to the Battery Section: Scroll down and select Battery. You may also see it listed under “Device Care” or “Power.”
3. View Battery Usage: Tap on Battery Usage. Here, you’ll see a graph of your battery level over the last 24 hours and a list of apps that have consumed the most power.

This screen is your first clue. If a single app is draining an unusually high amount of power, it might be misbehaving. You can try updating the app, clearing its cache, or restricting its background activity. However, this doesn’t tell you the battery’s long-term health.

For Samsung Galaxy Users

If you have a Samsung device, you have an additional tool at your disposal through the Samsung Members app.

1. Open the Samsung Members app (install it from the Galaxy Store if you don’t have it).
2. Tap on the Support or Diagnostics tab at the bottom.
3. Select Phone diagnostics.
4. Find and tap on Battery status.
   The app will run a quick check and tell you if your battery is working normally, along with its “Life” (e.g., Good) and capacity.

Method 2: Use a “Secret” Dial Code

Many Android phones have a hidden diagnostic menu that can be accessed by entering a specific code into the phone’s dialer. This menu sometimes contains detailed battery information not available in the standard settings.

Keep in mind that this code doesn’t work on all devices, particularly on some models from manufacturers like Samsung or OnePlus, who may have their own diagnostic tools.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open the Phone App: Go to the app you use to make calls.
2. Enter the Code: On the keypad, type *#*#4636#*#*.
3. Access the Menu: The diagnostic menu, often labeled “Testing,” should open automatically as soon as you type the last asterisk. You don’t need to press the call button.
4. Find Battery Information: Look for an option that says Battery information. If it’s available, tap on it.
5. Check the Status: This screen can provide details like charge level, battery temperature, and, most importantly, Battery health. It will typically just say “Good” or another simple status rather than a percentage, but it’s a helpful confirmation.

If the code does nothing, your phone manufacturer has likely disabled this menu. Don’t worry; there are other reliable methods.

Method 3: Use a Third-Party App for Detailed Analysis

For the most comprehensive look at your battery’s health, a third-party app is your best bet. These apps are designed to monitor your battery over time, estimating its effective capacity and providing a health percentage.

AccuBattery is one of the most popular and trusted apps for this purpose.

How to Use AccuBattery

1. Download and Install: Go to the Google Play Store, search for “AccuBattery,” and install the app.
2. Initial Setup: The first time you open AccuBattery, it will walk you through a quick setup and explain how it works. It functions by measuring the energy put into your battery during charging sessions and comparing it to the battery’s design capacity.
3. Charge Your Phone: For the app to get accurate readings, you need to charge your phone several times with the app running in the background. It learns more with each charge cycle.
4. Check the Health Tab: After a few charging sessions, open AccuBattery and go to the Health tab at the bottom.
5. View Your Battery Health: The app will show an estimated Battery Health percentage. It does this by comparing the estimated current capacity with the design capacity. For example, if your phone was designed with a 4,000mAh battery but can now only hold 3,600mAh, your health would be 90%.

AccuBattery also provides other valuable insights, such as battery wear from each charge, charging speed, and which apps are using the most power. It even has an alarm to notify you when your battery reaches a certain charge level (like 80%) to help you practice healthier charging habits.

Other Recommended Apps:

• CPU-Z: While primarily for checking processor information, its “Battery” tab provides real-time data on health status and temperature.
• Battery Guru: Similar to AccuBattery, this app monitors charging/discharging cycles to estimate health and provides tips for improvement.

Tips to Extend Your Android’s Battery Lifespan

Once you know your battery’s health, you can take steps to slow down its decline. All lithium-ion batteries degrade, but your habits can accelerate or slow the process.

1. Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Heat is a battery’s worst enemy. Don’t leave your phone in a hot car or in direct sunlight for extended periods. Likewise, extreme cold can temporarily reduce battery life.
2. The 20-80 Rule: Ideally, try to keep your battery charge between 20% and 80%. Constantly charging to 100% or letting it drop to 0% puts more stress on the battery. Many modern phones have a “Protect battery” feature that limits charging to 85%.
3. Don’t Charge Overnight (If Possible): While modern phones have mechanisms to prevent overcharging, leaving your phone plugged in for long periods after it reaches 100% can generate excess heat and put minor stress on the battery. If you must charge overnight, ensure your phone is in a well-ventilated area.
4. Use Original or Certified Chargers: Cheap, uncertified chargers can provide inconsistent voltage, which can damage your battery or charging port over time. Stick with the charger that came with your phone or a reputable third-party brand.
5. Reduce Screen Brightness: The display is one of the biggest power drains on any smartphone. Lowering the brightness or using adaptive brightness can make a big difference.
6. Use Dark Mode: If your phone has an OLED or AMOLED screen, using dark mode can save a significant amount of power because the screen doesn’t have to light up black pixels.
7. Manage Background Apps: Regularly check which apps are running in the background and disable any that you don’t need active all the time.

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Battery

Even with the best care, your battery will eventually need to be replaced. Here are the most common signs that your battery is on its last legs:

• Drastic Drop in Performance: The phone no longer lasts a full day on a single charge, even with light use.
• Unexpected Shutdowns: Your phone turns off suddenly, even when it shows 30% or 40% charge remaining.
• Phone is Swelling: If you notice the back of your phone bulging or the screen pushing outward, stop using it immediately. A swollen battery is a fire hazard and needs to be replaced by a professional right away.
• Overheating: The phone becomes uncomfortably hot during normal use or while charging.
• Stuck at a Certain Percentage: The battery indicator gets stuck for a long time or drops dramatically in an instant.

If your battery health is below 80% and you’re experiencing these issues, a replacement will likely give your phone a new lease on life.

Conclusion

While Android may not give you a simple battery health percentage out of the box, you now have a full suite of tools to check it yourself. From the basic information in your phone’s settings to the detailed analysis provided by apps like AccuBattery, you can get a clear and accurate picture of your battery’s condition.

By monitoring its health and adopting smarter charging habits, you can extend the lifespan of your battery, improve your phone’s day-to-day performance, and make an informed decision when it’s finally time for a replacement. A healthy battery means a more reliable device, giving you the freedom to stay connected without constantly worrying about where the nearest outlet is.