How To Check Android Battery Health (Ultimate Guide)

As smartphones become an integral part of our daily lives, maintaining their performance and longevity is crucial. One important aspect of smartphone maintenance is monitoring the battery health. In this guide, we will explore various methods to check the battery health on Android devices, ensuring your smartphone remains in optimal condition for as long as possible.

Understanding Battery Health

Battery health refers to the overall condition and performance of a smartphone’s battery compared to its original state. Over time, due to charging cycles, usage patterns, and environmental factors, battery capacity can degrade. Monitoring battery health helps in identifying issues early, ensuring efficient performance and extending the battery’s lifespan.

Built-in Battery Health Check on Android

Many newer Android devices come with built-in features to check battery health. This feature is often found in the Settings app under the Battery section. Here’s how you can access it:

  1. Open Settings: Navigate to the Settings app on your Android device.
  2. Select Battery: Scroll down and tap on the ‘Battery’ option.
  3. Battery Health: In the Battery menu, look for an option like ‘Battery Health’ or ‘Battery Usage’. Some devices may display the battery health percentage directly.

This built-in feature provides an overview of your battery’s current state, including its maximum capacity and any potential issues.

Using Third-Party Applications

For devices that do not have a built-in battery health checker, various third-party applications are available in the Google Play Store. These apps offer detailed insights into your battery’s condition and provide additional features for maintenance. Here are some of the highly recommended apps:

AccuBattery

AccuBattery is a comprehensive app designed specifically to monitor battery health and optimize battery life. It provides detailed statistics on battery usage, charging time, and battery wear. To use AccuBattery:

  1. Download and Install: Head to the Google Play Store, search for AccuBattery, and install it.
  2. Setup: Open the app and follow the on-screen instructions to set it up.
  3. Monitor: Navigate to the ‘Health’ tab to view detailed information about your battery’s current health and capacity.

Battery HD

Another popular app is Battery HD, which offers a user-friendly interface and precise battery monitoring. It provides information on battery health, charge level, and battery usage statistics:

  1. Download: Install Battery HD from the Google Play Store.
  2. Launch: Open the app and grant it necessary permissions.
  3. Battery Info: Access the ‘Battery Information’ section to check the health status.

Using third-party applications can complement the built-in features of your Android device, offering more detailed and customized insights.

Dialer Codes for Battery Information

Another method to check battery health on some Android devices is using dialer codes. Dialer codes are unique key sequences that provide access to hidden menus. One common code is *#*#4636#*#*, which opens a Testing menu containing detailed battery information:

  1. Open the Phone App: Launch the dialer app on your Android phone.
  2. Enter Code: Dial *#*#4636#*#*.
  3. Battery Information: Select ‘Battery Information’ from the Testing menu to view battery health and other details.

Read Also: How to Check Battery Health on a Samsung Phone (Ultimate Guide)

Advanced Battery Health Monitoring

While the methods mentioned in the previous part can provide a good overview of your battery’s health, there are additional advanced techniques to gain even deeper insights. One such approach is using adb (Android Debug Bridge) commands.

Using ADB Commands

ADB is a powerful command-line tool that allows you to interact with your Android device directly. To check your battery health using ADB:

  1. Enable USB Debugging: First, you need to enable USB debugging on your Android device. Go to Settings > Developer options (if you don’t see the Developer options, go to Settings > About phone and tap the Build number seven times to enable it) and turn on USB debugging.
  2. Connect to PC: Connect your Android device to your computer using a USB cable.
  3. Open Command Prompt/Terminal: Depending on your operating system, open the command prompt (Windows) or terminal (macOS/Linux).
  4. Run ADB Commands: In the command prompt/terminal, type the following commands:textadb shell dumpsys battery This command will provide detailed information about your battery, including its current capacity, voltage, temperature, and more.You can also use the following command to get a specific battery health percentage:textadb shell cat /sys/class/power_supply/battery/capacity_level The output will show the battery capacity level, which can give you a good indication of your battery’s health.

Battery Calibration

Over time, the battery level indicator on your Android device may become inaccurate, leading to issues like the battery draining faster than expected or the device shutting off even when the battery level is still high. Performing a battery calibration can help reset the battery level indicator and improve the accuracy of the battery readings.

To calibrate your Android device’s battery:

  1. Fully Charge the Battery: Charge your device until the battery is 100% full.
  2. Discharge the Battery: Use your device normally until the battery is completely drained, and the device shuts off.
  3. Charge Again: Charge your device again until it reaches 100%.
  4. Repeat: Repeat steps 1-3 a few times to ensure the battery level indicator is properly calibrated.

Battery Saving Tips

In addition to monitoring your battery’s health, it’s also important to adopt good battery management practices to extend its lifespan. Here are some tips:

  1. Avoid Excessive Heat: Exposing your device to high temperatures, such as leaving it in direct sunlight or near heat sources, can accelerate battery degradation.
  2. Optimize Charging Habits: Avoid letting your battery drain to 0% frequently, and try to charge it when it’s around 20-30%. Unplug your device once your charging percentage reaches 100%.
  3. Use Battery Saver Mode: Many Android devices have a built-in battery saver mode that can help conserve battery life by limiting background activities and reducing screen brightness.
  4. Disable Unused Features: Turn off features like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GPS when not in use to reduce battery consumption.
  5. Avoid Fast Charging: While convenient, frequent use of fast charging can put additional stress on the battery and contribute to its degradation over time.

By following these tips and regularly monitoring your battery’s health, you can ensure your Android device’s battery performs at its best and lasts as long as possible.

Conclusion

Maintaining the health of your Android device’s battery is crucial for its overall performance and longevity. In this comprehensive guide, we’ve explored various methods to check your battery’s condition, from built-in features and third-party apps to advanced techniques using ADB commands. Additionally, we’ve provided tips for battery calibration and best practices for battery management to help extend your device’s battery lifespan. By incorporating these strategies, you can keep your Android smartphone running at its optimal level for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): How To Check Android Battery Health

Q: What are the signs of a degrading Android battery?

A: Some common signs that your Android battery is degrading include faster battery drain than usual, the phone not charging to 100%, the phone suddenly shutting down even with charge remaining, and the battery overheating. If you notice any of these symptoms, it may indicate your battery health is deteriorating.

Q: How can I check the battery health on my Android phone?

A: While Android doesn’t have a built-in battery health checker like iOS, you can use third-party apps to get detailed battery information. One of the best free apps for this is AccuBattery, which provides data on your battery’s capacity, charging speed, and overall health. Simply install the app and use your phone normally for a few days to get accurate battery health estimates. 

Q: What is a good battery health percentage for an Android phone?

A: Typically, a healthy lithium-ion battery in an Android phone should retain about 80% of its original capacity after 500 charge cycles (roughly two years of use). If AccuBattery or another battery health app reports that your battery is at 80% capacity or higher, it is in good health. Anything significantly lower than 80% means the battery has degraded and may need to be replaced soon. 

Q: Can I improve my Android phone’s battery health?

A: Yes, you can take steps to maintain and even improve your Android battery’s health:

  1. Avoid completely draining or overcharging the battery. Keep the charge between 20-80% when possible.
  2. Reduce screen brightness and turn off unused features like Bluetooth and GPS.
  3. Update to the latest Android OS version, which may include battery optimization improvements.
  4. Avoid exposing the phone to very hot or cold temperatures.
  5. If the battery is removable, consider replacing it with a high-quality replacement from the manufacturer or a reputable third party.

Q: When should I consider replacing my Android phone battery?

A: If your battery health has fallen below 80% and you are experiencing significantly reduced battery life along with other issues like unexpected shutdowns or long charging times, it may be time for a battery replacement, especially if the phone is more than 2 years old. Consult with the manufacturer or a certified repair shop to explore battery replacement options for your specific Android phone model.