Help ICS battery disaster

[rumbataz]

Prior to ICS my SGS Tab 10.1 was lasting around three days with moderate use. Now, with NO use, the battery barely lasts for 24 hours.

 

[Arms_Reach]

I'm not experiencing that issue. I haven't noticed a change in the battery behaviour.

Think you have a rogue app running in the background? If not, I do a factory reset..

 

[Jacksmyname]

I'm not experiencing that issue. I haven't noticed a change in the battery behaviour.

Think you have a rogue app running in the background? If not, I do a factory reset..

Agreed. Battery life is fine here.

 

[Deleted User]

Prior to ICS my SGS Tab 10.1 was lasting around three days with moderate use. Now, with NO use, the battery barely lasts for 24 hours.

As others stated, it's probably an app or configuration issue related to the upgrade.

ICS is a big change from HC, and there are thousands of changes to the code base. I know it's a hassle, but a factory reset will wipe away the apps and data cache that may be causing this problem. You can use Google Backup to save most of your stuff, and any paid apps will be saved on Google Play. Just remember that backup and restore uses a DATA connection, so if you have a 3G/4G model and don't have a large or unlimited plan, then make sure you use WiFi to backup and restore.

 

[rumbataz]

I experienced the same issue on my SGS II phone when that got upgraded to ICS. I am charging that twice daily.

What i've found with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 ICS upgrade and the SGS II phone ICS upgrade is that the battery tends to die overnight. During the day I lost maybe 12%, but overnight I lose more than 50%. I have no idea why!

 

[leftystrat]

*after* you have tried the other suggestions, you can install something like Timeriffic. It allows you to set up profiles by days or times. I use it on the tab and phone to shut everything off during sleep hours, saving lots of battery time.

Changing the launcher can also help, as will disabling things like bluetooth and gps.


Good luck.

 

[Deleted User]

What i've found with the Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 ICS upgrade and the SGS II phone ICS upgrade is that the battery tends to die overnight. During the day I lost maybe 12%, but overnight I lose more than 50%. I have no idea why!

Are you in different locations during the day and night? If so, what is the signal strength like at night? If it's weak, the device may be working much harder to obtain a 3G or WiFi signal and it's eating the battery.

 

[rumbataz]

I've done a full factory reset on the tab (and my phone). I'll see how things go.

 

[leftystrat]

Oops - apparently I'm suffering from a similar issue...

Did a clean upgrade. Battery discharged in 2-3 days. Changed launcher, lasted 2 days.
Battery use states --> Device Idle 47%, Android OS 34%.

There is literally nothing turned on. No wifi, no 4g, no gps [airplane mode]- nothing. It sat in its case for 2 days. Apparently it's busy doing *something* but prefers to keep its activities secret.

I did another power reset and am charging again. Before ICS, the unit could sit for a week or more, fully charged.

 

[rumbataz]

^ That was what I was finding. Days (nearly a week) just on standby if I didn't use it. After ICS the battery was fully drained and the tab turned itself off within 24 hours even if I didn't actually use it!

 

[leftystrat]

^ That was what I was finding. Days (nearly a week) just on standby if I didn't use it. After ICS the battery was fully drained and the tab turned itself off within 24 hours even if I didn't actually use it!

It looks like it's still pretty busy going through the battery whilst doing nothing. I think rooting may be in order, if all else fails.

 

[Deleted User]

It looks like it's still pretty busy going through the battery whilst doing nothing. I think rooting may be in order, if all else fails.

I think I know why now that more info has been posted.

ICS has a feature (some call it a bug) where it tries to check with Google servers to resync any and all settings, apps, and files that may have been backed up on Google servers. For the first few days it keeps checking for data to restore. Just use it normally for a few days and it will eventually finish looking for data. If you have a 3G model, make sure you keep the WiFi connection open so it can use WiFi to download any data and save your 3G data bucket.

If you don't use Google Backup and Restore, it still spends a few days trying to connect to Google servers to confirm there is no data to download. It's annoying but it stops eventually. If you prevent all data connections, it will just keep checking for a live data connection anyway regardless of the data state, that's why it's eating the battery even in airplane mode.

 

[leftystrat]

If you don't use Google Backup and Restore, it still spends a few days trying to connect to Google servers to confirm there is no data to download. It's annoying but it stops eventually. If you prevent all data connections, it will just keep checking for a live data connection anyway regardless of the data state, that's why it's eating the battery even in airplane mode.

Stunning. Absolutely incredible.
If this is true, one must wonder what, if anything, they had in mind. I have my device locked down and turned off to the best of my abilities, including no backup. To have it checking anyway, especially without notice, is silly.


Thanks for passing this along. I guess time will tell.

 

[Deleted User]

Stunning. Absolutely incredible.
If this is true, one must wonder what, if anything, they had in mind. I have my device locked down and turned off to the best of my abilities, including no backup. To have it checking anyway, especially without notice, is silly.
Thanks for passing this along. I guess time will tell.

No no, it's not actually connecting to the servers, it's just attempting to make a connection, which has the same result of using more battery.

 

[leftystrat]

Just got to the tablet before it shut down after almost 3 days of being off.
I am really frustrated with Samsung. Doesn't seem to be getting better.

 

[leftystrat]

Just got to the tablet before it shut down after almost 3 days of being off.
I am really frustrated with Samsung. Doesn't seem to be getting better.

Same thing a week later. I guess I'll have to root the device.
First the dead issue, then the upgrading issue, now the battery-eating issue.
I can't imagine ever purchasing a Samsung product again.

Work keeps trying to get me to use an iDevice but I refuse. This is enough to drive one to the Dark Side.

 

[Coach70]

One of the greatest benefits of Android is you can try a different brand of tablet and keep your apps, content, etc. There are other great tablets out there, you do not need to go to the iDarkSide.

 

[Deleted User]

Same thing a week later. I guess I'll have to root the device.

Rooting is not a fix. Most users never root and they have no issues.
Have you done a reset from the Recovery Menu yet?
And after a reset, have you left it 'as is' without downloading any apps? It might well be a rogue app is causing the issue.

 

[leftystrat]

Rooting is not a fix. Most users never root and they have no issues.
Have you done a reset from the Recovery Menu yet?
And after a reset, have you left it 'as is' without downloading any apps? It might well be a rogue app is causing the issue.

I did a complete reset before ICS but not after.
I guess it's worth a try, thank you.

The reason I suspect rooting might be a fix is that I will be able to stop whatever is causing the issue (if I can find it).

 

[Deleted User]

I did a complete reset before ICS but not after.
I guess it's worth a try, thank you.

I always do a reset after a major version update to start with a clean setup. I find it fixes a lot of issues.

The reason I suspect rooting might be a fix is that I will be able to stop whatever is causing the issue (if I can find it).

There's no guarantee that rooting will allow you to 'fix' whatever is causing the issue. However, if you find the issue, likely it can be fixed without rooting. I'd start with the reset first, don't download any extra apps and see how it goes. If it fixes the battery issue, then install your apps one at a time and check to see if there is a battery drain with one of the apps. Use WiFi for the first day until Android settles down unless you have a large or unlimited data plan, as JB will look for updates and data restores automatically. Let us know what happens.

 

[ComputerGranny]

Have you tried an app like GSam Battery Monitor? It can be useful to identify what's eating your battery. Might help.

 

[leftystrat]

Have you tried an app like GSam Battery Monitor? It can be useful to identify what's eating your battery. Might help.

No, I tried the one in Android and the one in Android Assistant. Neither was able to provide an answer.

Thanks.

 

[Deleted User]

No, I tried the one in Android and the one in Android Assistant. Neither was able to provide an answer.
Thanks.

It's been a week. Did you do a reset after ICS was installed?
And has your battery issue been fixed?

 

[Jacksmyname]

Would it be usefull if we posted what kind of battery life we get when we use our tabs normally?
For instance, I use about 12% of my battery when I use it on a typical day.
A typical day for me is, I use my tab a LOT!
I usually have a radio app playing while I'm doing anything else (iHeart or TuneIn).
Internet a lot (Dolphin browser). I've found that internet can use battery, no matter what browser I'm using.
Games.
If I put the tab aside, I shut the screen off, but leave WIFI on. GPS is off.
When I go back to use the tab, battery is usually where it was when I stopped using it, depending of course on how long it's been idle.
How does this compare to those who are ok with battery life?

 

[Deleted User]

How does this compare to those who are ok with battery life?

Sounds about right...