There are a number of apps that can cause battery drainage, among them navigation apps like Google Maps and streaming apps like YouTube. But in a world where you pick and choose the apps that are worth some battery decline in exchange for a useful user experience, one may stand out as not worth the hassle: Facebook.
Many tech experts cite Facebook as the number one app that causes a world of headaches that include battery drainage. “I believe Facebook is the app that drains the iPhone battery so quickly,” Jansen says. “It uses extra data, power, and also have been accused to violate privacy.”
In addition to draining the battery Jansen says it “also pokes its nose into apps it has no business being, and its affiliate apps, Instagram and WhatsApp, are hardly any better.”
While it’s true that high graphics games might be more harmful to your phone’s battery, Jansen says if we are talking about what they really need versus what they really take, Facebook takes the cake. The app overextends its reach in ways that can compromise both your battery and privacy. Unless you are taking measures to cut Facebook’s access to your data down, it can do everything from detect your every location so that it can target ads to you to play a constant stream of videos every time you open the app — media that saps your battery power.
There are a few things you can do to help offset Facebook’s battery drainage. “Setting off location services, background app refresh, and data services for Facebook can help you to save your battery and data on iOS, and protect your privacy as well,” Jansen says.
But your best move? Delete the app and gain back battery power and peace of mind knowing it is no longer a threat to your privacy.