If you’re an Android user who frequently scrolls through Instagram Reels, your smartphone’s battery life may be at risk. Google has officially advised Android users to update their Instagram app immediately after multiple reports of unusual battery drain—even when the app isn’t running in the background.
According to user complaints and media reports, Instagram was consuming excessive battery in the background, leading to rapid battery depletion and overheating in several Android phones. This issue has caused concern among users, especially those using their phones heavily for social media.
Instagram released an updated version of the app on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, to address this.
The problematic build appeared to affect various Android models, possibly including Google Pixel devices that received a recent May security update.
Google has recommended all Android users install Instagram build 382.0.0.49.84 from the Google Play Store to fix the issue. According to a report by The Indian Express, this version addresses the background battery consumption problem that has been plaguing users for weeks.
"Even if Instagram isn’t open, it could still be draining your phone’s battery. Update the app now to avoid performance issues," said a warning shared in Android developer forums.
As of now, neither Meta (Instagram’s parent company) nor Google has issued an official explanation. However, user experiments suggest the issue lies within the main Instagram app, as switching to Instagram Lite reportedly resolved the battery drain.
The root cause remains unclear:
It could be related to a bug in the Instagram app.
Or a conflict with Android system updates, particularly on Pixel devices.
Phones were heating up unusually, even without app usage.
Battery life was draining rapidly, forcing users to charge devices more frequently.
Social media platforms saw a surge in complaints, prompting Google to intervene with the update advisory.
While Google has not disclosed exactly which devices were most affected, reports suggest that:
Google Pixel phones updated in May were more likely to encounter the issue.
There’s currently no confirmation on how many non-Pixel Android devices were impacted.
If you use Instagram on Android:
Open Google Play Store.
Search for Instagram.
Install the latest version (382.0.0.49.84 or higher).
Consider switching to Instagram Lite temporarily if issues persist.
If you do not use Instagram or have disabled background activity for it, you are likely unaffected.
The issue underscores the importance of keeping your apps updated. Whether you're a casual user or an influencer, keeping Instagram current will ensure better battery performance and device health.
