Some users are reporting abnormal battery consumption by WhatsApp on their smartphones: here's what's going on
In the last few hours we've received many reports from our users about a problem that's plaguing WhatsApp: battery consumption has increased significantly. The only ones affected by this apparent bug are Android smartphones. The whole thing seems to have started in the last few days, when the developers released version 2.19.308, which features some interesting new features, such as unlocking the app via fingerprint.
Surfing the Net we also found some testimonials that only increase the suspicion that the latest version of the messaging app has some problem that makes battery consumption increase. On Reddit, a widely used social networking site in the US, and on the OnePlus forums, many are reporting this kind of issue. According to some comments, battery consumption by WhatsApp has increased by as much as 40%, with the smartphone running out of juice after a few hours. What is this abnormal battery consumption due to? No one can give an answer, but surely the problem is only present in WhatsApp version 2.19.308.
WhatsApp consumes too much battery: what's going on
For a few days, users have been reporting excessive battery consumption by WhatsApp, especially those who have updated the app to the latest available version. The problem affects smartphones with Android 9 Pie or Android 10. On forums dedicated to the world of smartphones, many are asking for explanations about what is happening, but for the moment there are no convincing answers.
To suffer most from this problem would seem to be users with a OnePlus smartphone, so that several reports have been published on the forum of the Chinese company. The battery consumption by WhatsApp would seem to have increased up to 40%, making it impossible to get through the day with the smartphone still charged.
How to fix the WhatsApp problem
For the moment there are no solutions to get everything back to normal. The problem should only affect version 2.19.308 of the application, the latest available for Android smartphones. Most likely it is affected by some bug that increases battery consumption. Our colleagues at Android Authority have asked for an explanation from the messaging app's staff, but for the time being they have not received any answer.
Update 3pm Nov. 8
The first reports from Apple users are also starting to arrive. Many have published posts on social in which they denounce an increase in battery consumption by WhatsApp on iPhones with iOS 13.2 and iOS 13.1.3 and who have installed the version of WhatsApp 2.19.112 that includes the new tool to block invitations to groups. Again, WhatsApp staff did not want to comment on the news: we will see in the coming hours what will happen.