Google Play Store Will Begin Labeling Battery-Draining Apps Starting March 2026

Smartphone batteries are expected to reach 10,000mAh capacities starting next year, a leap that could make “battery anxiety” a thing of the past. But even with larger batteries, Google is taking extra steps to ensure apps don’t drain power unnecessarily. Beginning March 1, 2026, the Google Play Store will start displaying warning labels on apps that consume excessive battery power.

These warning labels will be clearly shown on the app’s page. Any app found to be active in the background for more than two hours per day within a 24-hour period will receive this label. The system has been in beta testing since early this year and will officially roll out next year.

The feature is being developed in partnership with Samsung, and users running One UI 8 will also receive notifications for apps that remain excessively active in the background and negatively impact battery life.

However, exceptions will be made for media apps like Spotify and YouTube, as background activity is necessary for features such as audio playback while the screen is locked.