Signs you need to replace your Android phone battery

🧰 Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ (Checking is simple—replacing isn’t)

⏱ Time involved: 5 minutes to check, up to an hour to replace

⚠️ Risk level: Low for testing, high for DIY swaps

💡 Pro insight: Android batteries aren’t as “pop-in, pop-out” as they look. We’ve seen at-home replacements turn into swollen batteries and lifted screens more times than we can count.

⚙️ Don’t risk it—stop by a nearby uBreakiFix® by Asurion for a quick, safe battery replacement

If your Android™ phone keeps shutting down—even if it's fully charged—or your favorite apps are moving in slow motion, you may need a new battery.

But how do you know for sure? There are some simple ways to tell. We'll walk you through them.

At Asurion, we fix and protect the tech you love. We can also show you how to take care of it, whether you want to clean your phone or protect it from the cold. Here's our guide for when to replace your phone battery.

How long does an Android phone battery last?

Much like the battery in your car, your Google Pixel™ or Samsung Galaxy® phone battery will degrade over time. Typically, your phone battery is good for 2 to 3 years, or even longer if you take good care of your device.

Signs your phone battery needs to be replaced

If you're worried your phone's battery is damaged or not working at its best, we've got you covered. Here are the signs to look out for.

Your phone is slow to respond

Does your phone respond more slowly than it used to? Do apps take longer to launch? If your phone is sluggish—even when it's mostly or fully charged—you may need a new battery.

Your battery doesn't hold a charge

If your phone won't charge to 100%, drains quickly after you've charged it, or shuts down unexpectedly on a full charge, it's probably time to replace the battery.

Likewise, if you have to charge your Android more than once a day or if it only works when it's plugged in, it's may be time for a new battery.

Your phone heats up while charging

Are you wondering how to tell if your phone battery is damaged? Check to see whether your phone gets hot while it's charging. You can also take a look at your phone screen or case to see whether it's warped: If it is, you may have a swollen battery, which could be dangerous. The safest option is to take your device to a tech repair pro and replace it right away.

How to check your Android phone battery health

Most Android phone models have a battery usage setting where you can check battery health.

Go to Settings > Battery to check your current battery level.

From there the steps vary by device, but look for an option like Battery Usage to get more information, like which apps are using the most power.

How to conserve battery on your Android phone

Here are a few simple ways to help your battery last longer:

Delete unused apps

If an app you don't use is a power hog, you can delete it with the Google Play Store app. Here's how:

1. Open the Google Play Store app.
2. At the top right, tap the Profile icon.
3. Tap Manage apps & devices > Manage.
4. Tap the name of the app you want to delete.
5. Tap Uninstall.

Stop apps from running in the background

If other apps—especially social media ones like TikTok® and Instagram® —are set to run in the background, they'll constantly check for updates and refresh, even after you've closed them, which can drain your battery. Here's what to do:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap Battery and device care (or Battery) > View Details.
3. Tap the app you want to edit background usage for, then tap Limit Usage.
4. Choose between Put to sleep (which may still allow the app to run when you aren't using it) and Put in deep sleep (which only allows the app to run when you're using it).

If that doesn't work, try going to Settings > Apps > App battery usage and tap each app to restrict or optimize its usage.