Google is preparing to implement a strict new policy aimed at detecting and punishing Android apps that drain battery power in the background, in cooperation with Samsung, in a move aimed at improving the performance of devices and extending battery life.

Starting March 1, 2026, the Google Play Store will start showing public warnings to users when trying to download apps that prove to drain the battery quickly due to excessive background activity. These apps will also lose part of their visibility in recommendations and in-store sections.Google is basing the move on a new technical indicator known as Excessive partial wake locks, a metric that monitors the behavior of apps that keep the phone on even after the screen is turned off, preventing the device from entering normal sleep mode, and leading to unexplained power consumption.