Does Location Sharing Drain the Battery? Myths vs. Insights

These days, active smartphone users have likely experienced rapid battery drain at least once. This may stem from different factors, such as background apps running day and night, high screen brightness, incorrect charging, and location services operating in real time. 

Many users believe that the latter reason is the most serious one, for tracking software depletes the battery right away. But is it really true? What lies behind the mechanism of location tracking? And is it possible to track by number without compromising the health of a phone?  Let us find out.

Quickly About How Location Tracking Works

Location-tracking relies on a combination of different technologies that altogether identify the position of a device. These usually include GPS (communication with satellites), Wi-Fi and Cellular networks, and Bluetooth. 

When you enable location-tracking devices (such as navigation apps, delivery platforms, websites/apps of stores, fitness trackers, etc.), your device first connects to GPS satellites, which provide the most accurate positioning. If GPS signals are weak or not accessible, e.g., when indoors, the device switches to Wi-Fi or Cellular networks to approximate the location. Bluetooth signals may further improve the accuracy, as it involves detecting nearby devices or landmarks.

How Do Smartphones Use Battery Power? 

So, does sharing location drain the battery? In order to define it, it is also important to understand how smartphones consume power. 

• Screen and Display: The most obvious power consumer is the display of a smartphone. The high level of brightness, always-on display feature, and various animations, whether sophisticated or simple, all drain the battery consistently.

• Background Process: This usually refers to app refreshing, push notifications, data syncing, software updates, system maintenance, and location tracking proper gradually eat the power of your phone. 

• Network Connectivity: Stable Internet connection, cellular, Bluetooth, and VPNs require energy. For you to stay connected to a global network, the phone should run different operations that may potentially lead to battery drain. 

Keep in mind that each smartphone has battery health status and limited cycle count (the amount of times your phone can use the whole battery capacity), both of which affect its overall performance and longevity. You can always check it in the system settings of your device.

Does Sharing Your Location Drain Your Battery? Quick Answer

Yes, sharing your location can drain your battery, yet the overall impact varies. While occasional location checks may have a minimal impact on power usage, continuous tracking consumes more power. This may come down to the apps that run in the background and are not used intentionally. 

To control the usage, it is reasonable to check the system settings to manage which apps are to track your location in real time and which apps should have limited or no access at all.  

Myths About Location Sharing and Battery Drain

Myth 1: Location Sharing Always Drains Your Battery Quickly

While persistent real-time tracking (just like the one in the navigation apps) can be power-demanding, short-term location checks or background services have little effect. The latest smartphones optimize location usage, as they automatically switch between GPS, Wi-Fi, and Cellular networks to make it efficient. So, does sharing my location drain my battery? Just like any other app you have installed.

Myth 2: Turning Off Location Services Completely Saves a Lot of Power

Although pausing location services may lower battery drain, in the long run, the difference is often minimal. It is not only about location trackers but the combination of factors, which also include screen brightness and background apps.

Myth 3: Location Tracking on All Apps Uses the Same Amount of Battery

Does sharing your location drain the battery? Not all applications use an equal amount of power when it comes to location services. Navigation software, such as Google Maps, consumes more power because of its continual tracking, whereas apps that just use location occasionally (e.g., weather apps) do not drain the battery at all.

Quick Tips to Save Your Battery

• Limit Location Access: Set location permissions to “While Using the App” instead of “Always”.

• Turn Off Background Apps: Close unused apps regularly.

• Lower Screen Brightness: Reduce brightness or enable auto-brightness.

• Turn On Battery Saver Mode: Use low-power mode to extend battery life.

• Disable Unnecessary Notifications: Reduce constant wake-ups from frequent alerts.

• Update Apps and OS Regularly: New versions often include battery optimizations.

• Use Original Cables Only: Charging with lower-quality cables can reduce battery efficiency. 

• Turn On Airplane Mode in Low-Signal Areas: Prevent battery drain from searching for a signal.

• Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Keep your phone away from excessive heat or cold so as not to damage the battery.

• Avoid Draining the Battery to Zero: Do not let your battery drop to 0%, for this can shorten its lifespan. It is always better to recharge your device when it reaches around 20-30%.

One More Thing… 

Fake GPS location can affect battery life, too. To detect it, you need a reliable tool that can verify the authenticity of shared locations. Although some GPS cheaters can be turned on manually, some may get on your device in the form of a virus with different purposes. All in all, you do not need it unless it was installed on your own. 

Here is a fine tool that may help you to share accurate and real-time locations – Number Tracker. This innovative app allows users to precisely track the whereabouts of family members, friends, or employees and define where a genuine location is and where one may see a spoofed one. 

With Number Tracker, you can:

• Detect Fake GPS: The app may identify inconsistencies in location data, demonstrating if someone is using location-spoofing apps.

• Track in Real Time: Get up-to-date location data with minimal battery consumption. Power management is the key!

• Enjoy User-Friendly Interface: Easily manage and customize location-sharing settings with everyone you invite to join. Convenience is our priority.

• Promote Privacy and Security: Number Tracker pays special attention to data protection for you to share your location safely and securely.

Power Consumption App by App

So, does WhatsApp location sharing drain the battery? What about other popular applications like Google Maps, Instagram, and Snapchat? Here is a quick overview of how certain apps may consume power and affect battery health (relatable for both iPhone and Android users). 

Manage location sharing with caution and optimize your device settings on a regular basis. This is how you can reduce unnecessary battery drain and help your phone stay powered longer and perform at its best!

Sources: 

1. https://www.productscience.ai/blog/battery-consumption-in-smartphones 

2. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255302419?sortBy=rank