Mobile phone battery is being drained: The Withings app has a massive problem
The Withings app on Android massively increases battery consumption. I therefore had to cancel the test of the ScanWatch 2. The manufacturer is aware of the problem but does not yet have a solution.
What a hassle. For a week now, the battery performance of my Google Pixel 8 has left a lot to be desired. Suddenly the battery no longer lasts a day. But I don't have to correct my good impression of the battery life of the Google Pixel 8. Because various media are reporting that the Withings app for Android is causing these battery problems.
The power guzzler is the watch app, not the mobile
I am currently using this very app to test the Withings ScanWatch 2, and a look at the battery consumption shows: The Withings app is actually a massive power guzzler. In one day, it consumes between 40 and 50 per cent of the Google Pixel 8's battery - without me even opening the app once.
Source: Lorenz Keller
The notifications are to blame. The app sends messages from other apps to the watch so that I can view them on the small screen. This connection runs in the background without me having the app open. Normally, this doesn't require much power. However, the Withings app is currently reducing battery life with this function
There are two ways to find out the battery consumption of an app on Android. In the settings under "Battery usage", I can find a list of all apps and the percentage of battery usage since the last full charge. Alternatively, I can also click and hold on an app icon to open the menu. You can also find the battery usage here under "App info"
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This allows me to find out what is happening in the background. I have fully charged the phone, but don't use it at all for the first 20 or 30 minutes. The Withings app then consumes a massive 80 to 90 per cent of the resources. And when I look to see which component needs power, it's the processor with similarly high values. This means that the app is keeping the chip busy in the background the whole time - and it's completely pointless.
Source: Lorenz Keller
The app problem has existed for a month
According to the messages in the Withings support forum, the problem has existed for a month. Complaints first surfaced with app version 6.1.0; 6.2.0 is currently available in the Google Store. And this does not improve the battery problem either.
The various feedbacks show that many Android users with different mobile phones and different watches and trackers are affected. However, iPhone users do not appear to have the problem. My test with an iPhone 14 Pro and the latest app version also shows no abnormalities.
Withings itself has also spoken out in the forum - almost a fortnight ago. The manufacturer confirms the problem and says that they are working on it. Withings' recommendation: reinstall the app and switch off notifications completely.
This actually helps, but turns the smart watch into a pure fitness tracker with a time display. The ScanWatch 2 no longer even vibrates when I receive a call.
I interrupt the test - and hope for an update
That's not how it works: the ScanWatch 2 is unusable, testing it makes no sense at the moment. As soon as the manufacturer has solved the problem, I will try a restart.
I also hope that other anomalies will be corrected with an update. For example, I kept getting notifications on the ScanWatch 2 that were displayed with an icon but could not be retrieved correctly.
Source: Lorenz Keller
Withings also promises 30 days of battery life - in my first test, I ran out of battery after just six days. So perhaps the app problems not only affect the battery life of the mobile phone, but also that of the watch.
This is all very annoying for users. Especially because the manufacturer knows about the problems and doesn't manage to release an improved version of the app within a reasonable period of time.
Update: An update for the Android app (version 6.2.2) has been available since 28 December, which should fix the problem according to the manufacturer. I will now test it again and report back with my findings.
Cover photo: Lorenz Keller
Lorenz Keller
Senior Editor
Lorenz.Keller@digitecgalaxus.chGadgets are my passion - whether you need them for the home office, for the household, for sport and pleasure or for the smart home. Or, of course, for the big hobby next to the family, namely fishing.