Develop Bugs

Power Tutor

Hi,
Anyone used PowerTutor to measure what's been using the battery?
You can find the app here:
http://www.appbrain.com/app/edu.umich.PowerTutor
Post your top battery drainers, and if you're using Eclair/Froyo please.

I tried it but deleted it after 1 day. Over a night my battery dropped from 80% to zero because of the app.

There is a battery monitor in android if no app appears it might be because their consumption is too low (I had only one that appeared it was an app to do RPD connections)

the android battery monitor doesn't seem as thorough I guess.

TMReuffurth said:
I tried it but deleted it after 1 day. Over a night my battery dropped from 80% to zero because of the app.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It may be possible that PowerTutor played a part in using your battery. Depending on your type of phone the PowerTutor profiling service takes between 3-15% of your phone's CPU, though we're always trying to reduce this.
Now as far as PowerTutor draining your battery from 80% to zero goes, perhaps what you should really be asking yourself is what is keeping your phone from sleeping during this time? PowerTutor won't (and indeed doesn't have permission to) do this.
exadeci said:
There is a battery monitor in android if no app appears it might be because their consumption is too low (I had only one that appeared it was an app to do RPD connections)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So the built in app monitor is a bit simplistic. The source code is publicly available and I encourage you to take a look android.git.kernel.org/?p=platform/packages/apps/Settings.git;a=blob_plain;f=src/com/android/settings/fuelgauge/PowerUsageSummary.java;hb=HEAD. The built in monitor is only useful to calculate very rough relative power consumption between apps. PowerTutor uses accurate models of the phone's hardware, offers absolute power figures, displays recent power history charts, and offers a log for later inspection.
As for me, I run PowerTutor all the time and never have any problem with it draining the battery. To answer the original poster's question my greatest consumers come from a crossword app, google's music player (in a future release it will be possible to see what apps are using audio with some tinkering), solitaire, and then the browser. However most of the energy for these apps (except the music player) comes from the OLED screen.
I have been working on a website where some of the data collected through PowerTutor may be made available. This would display some basic power profile information for popular apps and perhaps some other usage characteristics. I've been a little busy recently but hopefully we can get this out sometime in the next couple weeks.

I havent used PowerTutor for some time, so I may be missing recent improvements. But from my experience I agree that it is a a serious batery drainer...
I don't use my mobile phone when at work. And normally it drains from full to 98~97% from 7H30, when I leave home and unplug it from charger, to 13H00 when I leave my work place to lunch. With BateryTutor the battery drained to +/- 80% in the same period. Tested it 2 or 3 times, always the same result.

I am giving it a try. It looks very informative and functional. I don't think it is to be constantly used, instead it would be more useful to have it running for a couple of days and see what is draining battery and tweak your phone accordingly.
Something that got my attention is that there is a android process called "download manager" that constantly drains 400mW. What is this? Can I somehow stop it? I am not downloading anything.

Thread moved to themes/apps section

Is anybody aware of any similar programs like Powertutor which gives similar detailed information?
I suspect Powertutor doesn't give correct information for the Samsung Galaxy S (it was developped for HTC G1/G2 and Google Nexus One).
According to Powertutor these 2 processes eat a lot of juice:
50% => Android Download Manager which translates to android.media process (from Powertutor logfile) <= I suspect this is incorrectly reported by Powertutor
10 - 15% => Samsung Power Monitor widget which translates to com.sec.android.app.controlpanel (from Powertutor logfile)
A program like Powertutor is clearly not meant to be running all the time but is very usefull in identifying processes which take above average power.

More information on Powertutor's working and energy-models can be found here:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...sg=AFQjCNGwU_2TaxWE8TcwqHQLbfmU9A67AA&cad=rja
I strongly suspect incorrect readings for our Galaxy S...
Again I raise my question: anybody aware of a similar tool?

Please, info about an application like PowerTutor for our Galaxy S!!

Latest version of Powertutor (1.3.1) works a lot better now with my Galaxy S. The fact I upgraded to Froyo may be of influence.
It least Powertutor doesn't report 1 process (Android download manager) to consume all energy anymore!

looking also
upp3rd0g said:
More information on Powertutor's working and energy-models can be found here:
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...sg=AFQjCNGwU_2TaxWE8TcwqHQLbfmU9A67AA&cad=rja
I strongly suspect incorrect readings for our Galaxy S...
Again I raise my question: anybody aware of a similar tool?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The closest thing I have come across is BetterBatteryStats http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1179809. It lets you know about wakelock drains and gives fairly accurate reading of processes and alarms using battery since the device is unplugged. I still want another Power tutor -like app though.

Battery usage monitor?

Hi Guys!
I am facing a very extreme battery draining situation...
Something is keep waking up my phone while my screen is turned off.
Is there any good app out there I could monitor / Find out what is constantly waking up my phone? I can not find any good app for that.
Thanks for your help in advance.

Rem-X said:
Hi Guys!
I am facing a very extreme battery draining situation...
Something is keep waking up my phone while my screen is turned off.
Is there any good app out there I could monitor / Find out what is constantly waking up my phone? I can not find any good app for that.
Thanks for your help in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Settings->About Phone->Battery->Battery Use
Get yourself rooted and grab SetCPU. I have a profile set on that which underclocks my CPU when the screen is off. Doing this GREATLY increased my battery life.
I also use Tom Hubalek's Battery Gauge Widget to help me monitor my battery. But, after using the RCMix S v2.0 ROM and calibrating my battery (and the mentioned CetCPU settings) I get a good day out of my phone with a lot of wifi and 3g usage.

Never had any issue so far with my battery... I am checking battery usage in the settings menu but it is not enough. Need to see what exactly using my battery 'cause its unacceptable to drain 60% in 5 hours... The only thing I can see that something is using (waking up) the phone even when the screen is turned off...
I am using SetCPU as well with Smartass governor... can not be the problem...

Also set a profile for screen off - i have it set to 245min-245max smartass. It seems to save battery more than just set on the main screen.

davebugyi said:
Also set a profile for screen off - i have it set to 245min-245max smartass. It seems to save battery more than just set on the main screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmmmm... never tried that before... I'll give it a try. Thx
But ANYWAY... something is using my phone and thats not normal imo...

Rem-X said:
Never had any issue so far with my battery... I am checking battery usage in the settings menu but it is not enough. Need to see what exactly using my battery 'cause its unacceptable to drain 60% in 5 hours... The only thing I can see that something is using (waking up) the phone even when the screen is turned off...
I am using SetCPU as well with Smartass governor... can not be the problem...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you tried changing the Wi-Fi sleep policy? Also, pocket mode and fastboot, if you have those options.
My SetCPU is set to OnDemand. I thought Smartass was unstable and gobbled more power than it should? I dunno, though, I use whatever the ROM developer uses for the ROM; I don't change anything.
But you're right, my phone has lost 61% in 14 hours. 60 in 5 is wrong.
I think JuiceDefender has some of the features you're looking for, though:
https://market.android.com/search?q=juice+defender+battery&so=1&c=apps

davebugyi said:
Also set a profile for screen off - i have it set to 245min-245max smartass. It seems to save battery more than just set on the main screen.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ach, I have mine to 245-600MHz when the screen is off. Any less and my rom is lacky when the screen wakes. Had the same settings as you for other none Sense 3.0 ROM's though. MAJOR power saving. If you leave your phone downloading, though, the screen off profile kills the download rate.
Check it out, upload a file to your phone via wifi, turn the screen off and watch the speed plummet to about 100kbs!
EDIT:
Anyway, I had a massive power saving when I used this ROM:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=988570
Still using it today!

Kryten2k35 said:
Ach, I have mine to 245-600MHz when the screen is off. Any less and my rom is lacky when the screen wakes. Had the same settings as you for other none Sense 3.0 ROM's though. MAJOR power saving. If you leave your phone downloading, though, the screen off profile kills the download rate.
Check it out, upload a file to your phone via wifi, turn the screen off and watch the speed plummet to about 100kbs!
EDIT:
Anyway, I had a massive power saving when I used this ROM:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=988570
Still using it today!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using LeeDroid 3.0.8.2, never had such problem... weird...

Dialer
If you're using a gingerbread based ROM, it could also be the dialer. At least it is for me. Sometimes he just goes crazy and I have to reboot the phone. Apparently the dialer checks the phones proximity using the sensors again and again.
For further reference and solutions see: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1069251

Juice defender and Setcpu are in the same basket as task killers.
If you are using Smartass you don't need any profiles. Check your widgets, probably you have one which updates every second and kills your battery.

[Q] 8h battery life (on idle)

Hi all!
How do I find what exactly is draining the battery?
Ie. is there an app or something that can tell me what exactly is doing the damage?
(Settings - About - Battery use is not very helpful: now i know that it's Android System and Cell standby.)
It used to work perfectly fine for up to two days with wifi, 3g and sync. Up until cca a week ago. Now, if 3g is ON, the phone gets really warm and eats battery life in just a few hours. Wifi, on the other hand, can be on (sleep policy: never off) and i still get 1-2 days of battery life.
Specs:
Wildfire
CM7 nightly 256 *
latest radio *
* doubt any of these two is the culprit - trying to resolve the battery issue i updated my CM7 nightly (v.80 or so) to the latest one (v.256). Full wipe as always. That didn't do the trick. That's when i found some posts on xda suggesting that flashing the radio might help. Tried that too. No joy.

Try with these 2 apps. It should provide an overview:
CPU Spy (To see if your phone downclocks automatically or not. An 8 hour battery life on idle doesn't suggest it to me)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1011497
Better Battery Stats (Important - You can check the Wakelocks and actually see the process name which is consuming CPU cycles / battery. Its all explained nicely in the OP)
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1179809

I am using CM7 Nightly 256. I'm getting a good battery life (1 day approx) I recommend you to remove unwanted apps, disable autosync, disable gps when not in use. And ya use the apps recommended by 3xeno as above
And consider using SetCPU. Screen-off profile.

Thanks for the suggestions. Looking into it at the moment with better battery stats (and it's documentation). Will post a solution if i find one.

i have the same problem with battery...must charge daily.

same problem here
Running CM7 7.0.3,and after starting to use the ICS theme,started to get battery drain.
BBS shows the progress "suspend" work extensively,but can't figure out which program is causing this.
CPU Spy show 84%-85% in deep sleep,which means something is running back there.
See attached Jpegs.
Will a newer kernel flash do the trick?or will a Rom upgrade?
Thanks in advance.

Try to use CPU Master Pro. In Screen Off Profilles try to put 264Mhz Max CPU frequency
Before that my battery live 3 days

yohaim said:
Running CM7 7.0.3,and after starting to use the ICS theme,started to get battery drain.
BBS shows the progress "suspend" work extensively,but can't figure out which program is causing this.
CPU Spy show 84%-85% in deep sleep,which means something is running back there.
See attached Jpegs.
Will a newer kernel flash do the trick?or will a Rom upgrade?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
84-85% on deep sleep is fine. As per your screenshot, are you getting 18Hrs battery life (From 100 to 40)? If that's the case, it's actually pretty good battery life.

i wanted to ask. do heavy themes consume too much battery?

In my eyes any colours on the screen would use more battery than a black image. It's probably not that noticeable though.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using xda premium

Scratch0805 said:
In my eyes any colours on the screen would use more battery than a black image. It's probably not that noticeable though.
Sent from my HTC Wildfire using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Blacks are more energy efficient on LED screens only, since there the LED can just turn off.
Here the LCD needs to display a black color.

Battery test,monitor, usefull apps for saving battery

Hello guys.
I've made some tests for optimizing the battery and i've decided to share the results. I've also tested an extedend battery 2400mah. This battery needed a calibration which I'll explain here. Everything is free except for an app.
My device and settings are:
Xperia Arc S rooted, Doomkernel v22, Fw.62 GB
Governor smartassV2 1.4Ghz no overclocking
IO Scheduler Noop
I've also undervolted my CPU with -100mV for each frequency
Original Sony battery
You must have root privileges for your device.
I had the same problem with the 1% battery staying for hours with the 2400mha battery but you can solve this with a simple free application you can find on GooglePlay . The aplication name is "Battery calibration". I use the DoomKernel v22 and official android GB 2.3.4. I've made no supplementary kernel modifications for the battery calibration. Read the inside app indication for callibration.
If you have this reading problem with your battery you can use this app.
--------------------------------------------
Now lets start.
I recommend you to install the "CurrentWidget" free widget to see the current discharge rate on your screen and the voltage of the battery.
At approx. 3.5V the battery is completed discharged and the phone shuts down itself. Maximal value is 4.2V meaning the battery is fully charged.
To set up the "CurrentWidget" app, go into settings of the app and set the followings:
Update interval - 5 sec
Display Options - Widget Type -Clear Text
Display Options - Views - select Electric Current (mA) and Voltage (V)
Display Options - Customize - deselect Show last Update time and Show update now button
This widget also shows you when your battery is charging and when is discharging. The thunder sign goes green when charging and white while discharging.
This color detail is very important beacause the battery can show charged 100% but the battery is still charging for reaching the maximum capacity. Test for yourself and see.
Remember this thunder color conditions. You will be surprised.
I've attached a screenshot to see the widgets.
With the CurrentWidget you can easily optimize your android to save battery. I'm also using the free app System Tuner Task Manager Option to see the apps that are consuming Cpu and shut them down if dont needed, or uninstalling them. This is for idle mode.
I've managed to get -80mA -85mA battery drain in aireplane mode with wireless on, phone at idle and the brightness screen at 15%.
Idle means Cpu at 245Mhz and CPU load less than 5%
The -80m value you can see it on your screen if you set up the CurrentWidget widget app.
I've searched for days for such an app and it's perfect for seeing on the screen the battery drain every 5 seconds.
See attached file
I'm also using Temp+Cpu Pro Widget app for seeing the Cpu Frequency and the Cpu Load every 5 sec.
It is not recommended for the above widgets to set the update interval less than 5 sec because it is cpu consuming, resulting in higher battery drain.
With this combination of widgets you can easily find aplications that are battery friendly.
For example I've tested various movie players and there are differecies. For example Vplayer and QQplayer are not battery friendly.
You can test all the apps you use and alternatives to chose the ones that are battery friendly.
If you want , post your battery drain in aireplane mode with wireless on, phone at idle and the brightness screen at 15%.
Maybe we can save more battery.
(sorry for my english)
That's all.

What value do you have after wake up ? I have 2-5 mA. And when screen is on 60-90mA

after wake up I have 0mA even with wireless on but in airplaine mode
Can you also specify the kernel and firmware you use? I've never reached -60mA,
only -69 with wireless of, screen at minimum and in airplaine mode
Please specify the kernel and firmware if you post your results here

i will give this app a try and give u my commends guys

thanks

Stop dimming on low battery

Is there anyway to stop the phone from dimming on low battery? I just got a Hyperion extended battery and it tends to last forever at 1% since it hasn't figured out accurate drop rate yet. So its frustrating to have my phone on low dim for hours.
Thanks.

mrjkwik said:
Is there anyway to stop the phone from dimming on low battery? I just got a Hyperion extended battery and it tends to last forever at 1% since it hasn't figured out accurate drop rate yet. So its frustrating to have my phone on low dim for hours.
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You could try AdjBrightness from the Play Store. Might be outdated and not work on the Note 4 but there are similar apps related to it like RootDim (phone needs to be rooted for this).
Other way to do it requires permanent root and modifying a system file to shut off auto-dim and low battery warning. Same goes for warning when setting volume to max for headphones, bluetooth, etc.
I know which file it is and will modify it once we get permanent root. Most custom ROMs shut all these and warnings off so we don't have to modify it ourselves.

Under power saving go to restrict performance and uncheck screen output