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Android: Battery drains when not using app

jbrinker
Local Performer

Chiming into this thread - I have had the same issue with Pandora on two different Android phones. Galaxy S10e and Galaxy S23 (current phone). Pandora is by far the biggest consumer of my battery. I have done the same testing as above in this thread, and have the same results. Including noting that when connected to Android Auto Pandora goes into "battery drain mode" even if I have NOT played any music on AA. Just connecting to the car is enough to trigger the Pandora app to start its shenanigans. The only way to reliably stop it is to kill the app.

I really prefer Pandora. I have been a subscriber since the VERY early days, like the first year! I have tried Spotify, and Deezer and others. I just prefer "shuffling my stations" on Pandora and no one else really has that flexibility.

PLEASE FIX THIS. I have tried everything including a NEW PHONE, wiping my phone, reinstalling the app, etc. Its so bad my phone will get HOT on some days. I spent the last month with Pandora uninstalled and testing out other apps (deezer mostly). My phone lasts all day, and I have not once had a hot phone. And I have been using AA with Deezer and Spotify. I want to come back to Pandora.

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17 Replies

AdamPandora
Community Manager
Community Manager

@jbrinker I definitely understand your frustration.

Your feedback has been noted and passed along to our engineering team.

We appreciate your patience in the meantime.


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heyitsh0n
Local Performer

Same problem here.

Model: Pixel 8 Pro

Carrier: Mint

Android version :14

Build number  AP2A.240905.003

Android Security Patch Level, if noted on your device (Settings > About Phone): September 5, 2024

Pandora version: version 2501.1

This happens on both Wi-Fi and data, and even weeks after the last time that I've opened Pandora...

Clearly a Pandora issue, please fix

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gmcboy123
Underground

After the last update on my app the battery life doesn't last long when using Pandora anybody else running into this issue ?

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AdamPandora
Community Manager
Community Manager

@gmcboy123I've enabled a trace on your account to help us better understand what's happening.

For this trace to be useful, we'll need you to run through our troubleshooting steps: Troubleshooting for Android Devices

If that does not resolve the issue, can you please do me a favor and send me a screenshot of your battery usage showing what percentage is being used up by Pandora?

(Please note you won't be able to attach images via email - you will need to open this Community link in a web browser in order to provide attachments)

Thanks for working with me on this.


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Rengla
Local Performer

Is there any plan to fix the app?  

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MariaPandora
Moderator
Moderator

Hi @heyitsh0n , thanks for sharing this information.

I'll  be happy to send this to our engineering team so they can check this up, but first I need a couple more things.

Can you tell me if you have tried the troubleshooting steps described here and what happened after you followed them up?

Can you please upload on a post a screenshot of the battery usage on your phone please?

Thanks for working on this with me!

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Rengla
Local Performer
Hello,

I have completed all the steps outlined at the link you provided. The image of the battery usage is attached.

Thanks
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MariaPandora
Moderator
Moderator

Hi @Rengla , to upload the screenshot you need to open the Pandora community post on your browser and upload the image there, it won't be attached if you send it through email.

Can you please try to upload it on a post please?

Thanks for working on this with me.

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Rengla
Local Performer

I tried to upload an image of the battery usage, but the dialogue box for "Insert/Edit Image" won't allow me to upload an image from my computer. 

The image shows Pandora running for 3 hr 21 min and using 41% of my battery.  Which is somewhat crazy, because I've previously used Pandora on my phone for this long and longer, and it never used this much battery. 

My workaround for this problem is to simply "Force Stop" the App after each use.  Yes it is a pain, but not doing so heats up the phone and drains the battery. 

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AdamPandora
Community Manager
Community Manager

@Rengla I'd like to report your issue to our engineering team as well. Can you send over a bit more info about your device?

  • Model:
  • Carrier:
  • Android version (Settings > About Phone):
  • Build number (Settings > About Phone):
  • Android Security Patch Level, if noted on your device (Settings > About Phone):
  • Pandora version:
    • If you can open Pandora, go to Profile, then select Settings. Scroll to the bottom of the screen for the version number.
    • If you can't open Pandora: from Android Home screen > Android Settings > Applications > Manage Applications > Find Pandora

Are you connected to Wi-Fi or cellular data when this is happening?

Have you identified any other patterns or notable information?

Thanks again for all of your help with this!


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NapalmShield
Local Performer

Not only violating personal info, also reducing battery and bandwidth with tens of thousands of queries at a time.

 

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AdamPandora
Community Manager
Community Manager

@NapalmShield I'd be happy to help with any questions you have, but I will need additional information to do so.

Can you explain your issue a bit further? The more details you're able to provide, the better equipped I'll be to help.

I look forward to hearing back.


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SuperDave010
Local Performer

Maria, 

I'm having the same issue as the everyone else in this thread.  I went to the link you posted here for troubleshooting steps, and I just got a blank screen.  Can you please share the steps here? 

1000014351.jpg

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Rengla
Local Performer

I'm running on Android and I've found I can pause the app and then I don't have the problem.  I think this is easier than doing the Force Stop.  

Article:  Troubleshooting for Android Devices

https://help.pandora.com/s/article/Trouble-Streaming-Pandora-on-Android-1519949305958?language=en_US...

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AdamPandora
Community Manager
Community Manager

@SuperDave010 Here are the troubleshooting steps that are provided in the linked help page article:

Basic Troubleshooting on Android

 

  1. Clear data* for Pandora in your phone's settings.
    • Press the menu key from the home screen on your device (not your Pandora app).
    • Tap Settings.
    • Tap Apps.
    • Select Pandora.
    • Tap Clear data from the storage details page (you may have to tap Storage to see that option).
  2. Return to the Pandora app, and log back into your account after completing the above steps.

Keep in mind that the steps for each Android device are slightly different. If you have a Pixel, you can find helpful steps here.

*Pandora Premium and Premium Family listeners may need to re-download some of their offline content after this. Pandora Plus users, however, should receive that offline content again automatically. If you have any trouble with your offline stations after this, please let us know.


Advanced troubleshooting for Android devices

 

If you find you're still having issues with the Pandora App after completing those steps, continue onto the next section:

  1. Make sure the app is installed to the phone's local memory, rather than on an SD card (installing the Pandora app on an SD card causes performance issues we can't provide support for).

  2. If you have a battery saver or task manager app, make exceptions for Pandora or try turning them off completely.
  3. Lower your audio quality in the Settings menu. To get to your Settings, open your Pandora app to the station list, tap the Profile icon, and select the Settings gear from the top right corner of your screen.
    • If you're a Pandora Premium subscriber: Select Audio Quality & Download.
    • If you're not a Pandora Premium subscriber: Select Advanced and then uncheck Higher Quality Audio.

Then, try Pandora again. If the issue continues, please proceed with the instructions in the next section.

Keep in mind, that the steps to find certain settings on Android devices can be different depending on the type of Android phone you have, as well as what Android OS you are running.

If you're having trouble completing these steps, try contacting your device's manufacturer for further help with navigating their operating system.


Disable Android Battery Optimization

 

Double check that you have Battery Optimization for Pandora disabled in the Android settings. 

While the steps for all Android versions are different, these battery settings can usually be found in the Settings under "Device Management," "Battery," or "Battery Usage."

Take a look for this setting on your device and select Optimize battery usage. Then scroll through your apps until you find Pandora, and make sure that optimization is turned off. 

If you're having trouble completing these steps, try contacting your device's manufacturer for further help with navigating their operating system.

Note: We do not support Pandora on rooted or unlocked phones, unofficial OS releases, or custom ROMs. We only support Pandora on configurations that we have fully tested, so as to ensure the application will work correctly and won't cause any problems with functions of the device.


Remove background restrictions

 

Please ensure that you have your device set to allow Pandora to run in the background. 

  • From the home screen or app drawer press and hold the Pandora icon.
  • Tap the 
     

     

     icon to access the App info.
  • Next select Advanced, then Battery.
  • Confirm that Background restriction is set to "App can use battery in background".
    If Background restriction states "Restricted", tap on Background restriction to remove restriction.

Let us know if you continue to experience issues with this after completing these steps.


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Bbaumgartner755
Local Performer

Anx yet it is September and nothing has changed. Even if Pandora isn't used it continues to run, eating battery life and increasing the temperature of the phone. I'm not even one of the Samsung users as I understand there are better phones out there. 

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AdamPandora
Community Manager
Community Manager

@Bbaumgartner755 I definitely understand your frustration.

I've enabled a trace on your account to help us better understand what's happening.

For this trace to be useful, we'll need you to run through our troubleshooting steps: Troubleshooting for Android Devices

Let me know how it goes.


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