Google has announced a new wake-lock policy that targets Android apps causing battery drain. This policy, to be implemented on 2026-03-01, introduces a new metric 'excessive partial wake locks' affecting app visibility on Google Play Store.
Policy Details and Timeline
The wake-lock policy classifies user sessions as excessive if non-exempt wake locks exceed two hours in a day. If 5% or more of an app's user sessions are deemed excessive over 28 days, penalties apply. Starting March 1, 2026, such apps may be removed from prominent discovery spots on the Play Store and may display a warning label to users.
Developer and Consumer Impact
Developers must access the Android Vitals console, co-developed with Samsung, to monitor their apps' compliance and make necessary updates before the March deadline. The change aims to improve battery life, especially on older Android devices, by discouraging misuse of wake locks.
The new measure is expected to lead to a noticeable impact on battery performance, as users will be warned on the Play Store about apps with high background activity. Google may introduce additional metrics to further improve app quality and reduce energy consumption.
