4 Ways to Fix Google Maps Draining Battery on Android and iPhone

Quick Tips

• Using Google Maps in dark mode can help reduce battery consumption on your Android or iPhone.
• Make sure to update the Google Maps app and prevent it from using location services when you’re not using the app.
• Consider using Google Maps in offline mode or switching to its lighter version, Google Maps Go, if the issue remains.

 

Try Basic Fixes

• Remove the Google Maps widget from your home screen: If you use Google Maps’ live traffic widget to get traffic information on your home screen, the app’s battery usage may increase as it constantly updates the widget. To avoid this, you can remove the Google Maps widget from your home screen.
• Update the app: Using the most recent version of Google Maps allows you to benefit from the latest bug fixes and app improvements. If the Google Maps battery drain problem is caused by a buggy app build, updating it from the Play Store (Android) or App Store (iPhone) should help.
• Switch to Google Maps Go: Android users can also try using Google Maps Go, a stripped-down version of the Google Maps app that includes all the essential features. Since Google Maps Go is a lighter version of the Google Maps app and uses fewer resources to run, it can help reduce battery drain on your Android device.

Fix 1: Use Google Maps in Dark Mode

When you use apps in dark mode, your phone requires relatively less power to illuminate the screen. Using Google Maps in dark mode can help save battery life, especially when navigating and keeping your phone awake for an extended period of time.

To enable dark mode in Google Maps:

Step 1: Open the Google Maps app. Tap on your profile icon at the top-right corner and select Settings from the menu that pops up.

Step 2: Tap on Theme and select Always in dark theme. Then, tap Save.

If you are using an iPhone, tap Dark Mode in the Google Maps’ Settings menu and select On.

Fix 2: Change Location Permission to While Using the App

Allowing continuous location access to Google Maps can also cause the app to drain your battery faster. To avoid this, you should only allow location access to Google Maps while you’re using the app.

Android

Step 1: Long-press on the Google Maps app icon and tap the info icon from the resulting menu.

Step 2: On the app info page, go to Permissions.

Step 3: Tap on Location and select Allow only while using the app.

iPhone

Step 1: Open the Settings app and scroll down to tap Google Maps.

Step 2: Tap on Location and select While Using the App from the following screen.

Fix 3: Clear Google Maps Cache

Like any other app, Google Maps uses cache data to function smoothly, but sometimes this data can get corrupt or outdated due to various reasons. When this happens, Google Maps may behave strangely and consume more battery power than usual. You can try clearing the Google Maps app cache to see if that restores normalcy.

Step 1: Long-press on the Google Maps app icon and tap the info icon from the menu that pops open.

Step 2: Go to Storage and tap the Clear cache option at the bottom.

Fix 4: Use Google Maps in Offline Mode

Is Google Maps still draining the phone’s battery even after applying the above tips? You may want to consider using Google Maps offline. This way, you can still use the app’s essential features, like searching for addresses and getting directions, without relying on an internet connection. This can reduce the app’s power consumption and extend your phone’s battery life.