Samsung Galaxy battery draining fast? 6 fixes

By Saadat Rafiq · 2 min read · 6 steps · Updated 5 October 2026

Device

Android

Shown on

Samsung Galaxy A57 5G (SM-A576B), One UI 8.5, Android 16

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Battery: check usage

Real screenshots

5 of 6 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

2 official, linked below

A Galaxy that used to last all day and now does not usually has one app working in the background, or a radio that searches all the time. These fixes follow the order of Samsung's own advice, quickest first.

The screenshots are from a Samsung Galaxy A57 5G with One UI 8.5 and Android 16. Other Galaxy phones on One UI 8 use the same menus; on older One UI versions a few names and positions differ.

Step by step

1. 

   See what is using the battery

   Open Settings, Battery. The graph shows daily use over the past week; below it, the list shows how much each app used. Tap the graph for the detailed usage per app.

   Done

2. 

   Put unused apps to sleep

   On the Battery page tap Background usage limits and switch on Put unused apps to sleep. Apps you have not used for a while are then limited in the background.

   Done

3. 

   Add apps to Sleeping or Deep sleeping

   Tap Sleeping apps or Deep sleeping apps, then the plus icon, and add apps you rarely open. Never auto sleeping apps is the list for apps that must stay awake, such as a messenger.

   Done

4. 

   Run Optimize now

   Open Settings, Device care and tap Optimize now. It closes background apps and frees memory.

   Done

5. 

   Use Power saving

   Settings, Battery, Power saving. Standard is enough for most days; Maximum for an emergency.

   Done

6. Switch off what you do not use, and uninstall the drainer

   Swipe down from the top right to open the quick panel and turn off Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or location when you are not using them. If one app uses far more battery than the rest, open it in Settings, Apps and tap Uninstall.

   Done

Good to know

After a big software update the phone indexes photos and apps for a day or two and uses more battery. Wait before you change many settings.

If messages arrive late after you put apps to sleep, move the messaging app to Never auto sleeping apps.

To make the battery last longer over the years: how to limit charging to 80% on a Samsung Galaxy phone. Quick help for today: how to turn on Power saving on a Samsung Galaxy phone.

In short: Settings, Battery: check usage, Background usage limits (sleep unused apps), Power saving. Device care, Optimize now. Turn off unused radios, uninstall the app that drains.