Many Android users are complaining that one of the most recent WhatsApp updates is draining their phone’s battery life by up to 50 percent in a matter of hours, regardless of active use. The popular messaging app is facing a backlash from users who say their devices are seeing significant battery drain after updating to the latest version of the messaging service.
Users reported alerts on their phone indicating that WhatsApp used battery “While in active use” for some 1.5 hours, despite the fact that they had only opened the application for a negligible amount of time.
Many are pinning the blame on Whatsapp v2.19.308 with OnePlus users seemingly the hardest hit. There are widespread complaints from irate Android users across the internet, from Google Play Store reviews, to the OnePlus Forum, Twitter and also on Reddit.
Many users are also complaining of being unable to charge their devices fast enough to keep pace with the intense power consumption, adding that their phones have also begun heating up while they receive constant alerts about high power consumption.
However, some Xiaomi, Huawei, Samsung Galaxy users seems to be immune from the life-draining update and have questioned what all the fuss is about.
Some users suggest switching battery optimisation from “Intelligent Control” to “Optimize” for WhatsApp or turning off WhatsApp Web, a sister application for your computer which allows you to use a web-based version of the messenger in your browser.
Others suggested ‘force stopping’ the application before going to sleep to prevent overnight battery drain, or restricting background processing while also clearing the cache.
