This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
When it comes to maintaining your phone and keeping your data and privacy (not to mention your phone’s battery) protected and working well, apps matter. And the apps you are using could be seriously compromising your device. Even though this all sounds frightening, the good news is that most tech experts agree: it’s the same few apps that keep popping up on radars when asked to pinpoint specific apps that negatively affect your phone. These are the five apps experts say are ruining your battery — in some cases even when you aren’t using them.
Say Bye To Wrinkles And Fine Lines — This LED Mask Is The Skin Rejuvenation Game-Changer You Need!
Google Maps
Although it looks very simple and sorted, the Google Maps app quickly drains our battery, says Mike Thompson, CEO & CMO of Hyperlend. “It uses location to track and heavily consumes data while loading the map,” Thompson says. “All these factors drain the battery very promptly that they can induce harm to battery life.”
It’s a fantastically fun distraction — and it’s free — but Instagram isn’t all fun and games when it comes to how it affects your device. “It offers certain fascinating treats to users and runs on heavy data usage,” Thompson says. “The video quality surfing in this app is relatively higher than other apps and that affects battery life as it could consume battery competing with high graphic games like Asphalt, Call Of Duty, etc.”
Snapchat
Like Instagram, Snapchat provides an amusing way to pass time and connect with others. But the social media app is extremely taxing on your device. “Snapchat is a great app, but constant incoming notifications use background data,” says Miranda Yan, Founder of VinPit. “Snapchat also requires you to turn on location. If you don’t know, whenever you open Snapchat, it accesses your device’s camera, draining a lot of battery.”
Netflix
It may be the last app you’d want to delete from your device, but all streaming apps — including Netflix — are harsh on your battery. “Using Netflix consumes a lot of battery,” Yan says. “Streaming content non-stop can heat your phone, further draining even more battery. To counter this, users should consider using Netflix from their browsers instead of its app.”
No list of apps that affect your device would be complete with a mention of Facebook.
Jason Mitchell, Chief Technology Officer at Smart Billions reminds us that Facebook keeps track of your activities through all of its applications and websites. “And even when you log off from Facebook, it keeps track of you,” Mitchell says. “Its app requires almost all of the available permissions. It requires access to:
Your contacts, call logs, and text messages
Your camera and microphone
Your internal storage
Your Wi-Fi
Your location
In essence, the app claims that full control of your device is required for the app to run.”
In addition, Facebook keeps track of when you log in and how much time you spend on the app, Mitchell says. “It keeps track of where you go, what you buy, and what you look at online,” he says. “All of this information is gathered by Facebook in order to provide you with targeted advertisements. Furthermore, the company has been hacked several times, exposing user data. Facebook has repeatedly shown that your personal information is not secure in their possession.”
