Android 14's Potential Battery Health Insights and New APIs
Android 14, the upcoming version of Google's mobile operating system, is rumored to introduce a new feature that could provide users with valuable insights into their device's battery health. The latest Android 14 beta has unveiled new application programming interfaces (APIs) that offer details such as battery health, manufacturing date, usage duration, charging cycles, and charging policy. These APIs also allow third-party apps to access some of the statistics, paving the way for enhanced battery health monitoring features when Android 14 is officially released.
BatteryManager APIs and Third-Party Access:
Mishaal Rahman from Esper recently discovered the BatteryManager APIs within the Android 14 beta. While two APIs related to battery charge cycles and charging status are public, system apps can access additional details like charging policy, health state, and charging policy. This development is significant as it enables third-party apps to tap into these APIs, expanding the possibilities for battery health monitoring beyond what's provided by the operating system.
Existing Battery Health Apps and iPhone Comparison:
Although Android users have had access to battery health monitoring apps like AccuBattery and BatteryGuru, these apps relied on estimates rather than official APIs. In contrast, iPhone owners have enjoyed a built-in battery health monitoring feature within their settings app since iOS 11.3.
Granting Access to System APIs:
To grant access to the system APIs, third-party apps will require the BATTERY_STATS Android permission. This permission can be granted via a command line interface connected to a computer through a USB cable.
Early Adoption: Open-Source Batt App:
Developer Narek, known as @narektor on Twitter, has already developed an open-source app capable of reading battery statistics from both public and system APIs. The app, named Batt, can be downloaded from GitLab if you're currently using Android 14 Beta 2 on a Pixel smartphone.
Future Outlook and Conclusion:
While the Batt app and other similar tools provide early glimpses into battery health statistics, it's important to note that Android 14 is still in development. Users should exercise caution and wait for the official release later this year before relying on these details. Additionally, Rahman suggests that popular automation app Tasker will likely incorporate battery statistics from the system on Android 14. If Google introduces an inbuilt battery health system similar to iOS, it could potentially reduce the need for third-party apps in this space.
By staying ahead of the curve and introducing battery health monitoring features, Android 14 aims to enhance the user experience and provide valuable insights into the performance of your device's battery.
