Several Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro users are reporting a concerning issue related to severe battery drain allegedly caused by Spotify. While the problem seems to be most prevalent among Pixel 8 and 8 Pro users, there are also reports from other Pixel device owners running the latest Android 14. Notably, many users claim that the issue surfaced or intensified following the update to Android 14, which suggests the issue likely extends beyond Pixel phones.
The common thread seems to be significant battery drain from Spotify, even when the app is running in the background. Pixel 8 users are reporting battery percentages dropping dramatically after using Spotify for short periods, with some claiming the app drains more battery than even location-intensive apps like Strava.
Users have taken to Spotify community forum, Reddit and Pixel community to share their experiences, with some offering detailed accounts of the battery drain problem. One Pixel 8 Pro user reported that Spotify managed to consume 38% of the battery with minimal screen time and less than five hours of background activity. The problem doesn’t seem limited to specific Pixel models, as Pixel 5 and Pixel 7 Pro users also reported battery drain issues with Spotify soon after updating to Android 14. Another user expressed their frustration following their switch from a Pixel 5 running Android 13 to the latest Pixel 8.
Of note, there’s a growing suspicion that this may not be a Pixel-exclusive problem but potentially an issue with Spotify’s background activity on devices running Android 14. Neither Google nor Spotify has officially acknowledged the problem, leaving users frustrated and searching for solutions. Some temporary fixes mentioned in online forums include restricting Spotify’s background activity in the phone’s settings, disabling Spotify Connect within the app, uninstalling and reinstalling Spotify, or using a different music streaming app. However, these workarounds seem inconsistent and don’t guarantee a permanent solution.
With Google and Spotify remaining silent, Pixel 8 and other Android 14 users affected by this Spotify battery drain can only hope for a speedy official fix. Until then, they’ll have to keep a close eye on their battery levels and explore alternative music streaming options if necessary. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available. In the meantime, if you’re experiencing Spotify battery drain on your Pixel 8 or any other Android 14 device, be sure to report it to both Google and Spotify so they can investigate the issue further.
Let us know in the comments below if you’ve been experiencing similar battery drain issues with Spotify on your Google Pixel 8 or any other Android device.
Hillary Keverenge
2114 Posts
Tech has been my playground for over a decade. While the Android journey began early, it truly took flight with the revolutionary Lollipop update. Since then, it's been a parade of Android devices (with a sprinkle of iOS), culminating in a mostly happy marriage with Google's smart home ecosystem. Expect insightful articles and explorations of the ever-evolving world of Android and Google products coupled with occasional rants on the Nest smart home ecosystem.
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