The BatteryManager API Comes to Android 14
Google is introducing a BatteryManager API in Android 14 that lets devices report detailed battery status. The feature is designed to show the true capacity and wear of a battery and to offer practical guidance on optimizing usage and planning battery replacement. The information is intended to help users make informed decisions about device longevity and performance.
Battery management features have already appeared in the settings of Google Pixel devices running Android 14 Beta 2. This API is not limited to Pixel phones; Google intends to open it up to developers so they can create apps that analyze battery health across a broader range of Android devices. The goal is to give a wider audience access to battery diagnostics beyond a single brand or model, enabling deeper insights into wear patterns and battery behavior.
Among the controllable parameters in BatteryManager are charge cycles, the manufacturing date of the battery, the date of first connection to the grid, current state of charge, and other related data points. With these metrics, apps can provide users with a clearer picture of battery health and guidance on optimizing charging routines and battery replacement timelines.
Similar wear indicators have been available on iPhones for more than five years. At this time, it has not been announced when BatteryManager will become available to all Android users, and the stable release date for Android 14 remains to be seen beyond the general expectations for a fall rollout. The broader availability of this API will depend on developer adoption and device certification across manufacturers.
Industry coverage notes that a recent performance ranking highlighted potent devices in the Android ecosystem. In May, a MediaTek powered model topped the AnTuTu list of the most powerful smartphones, a data point that underscores the rapid pace of hardware and software evolution within the ecosystem. This backdrop matters for how BatteryManager features will be adopted by different devices and how battery data will translate into meaningful user insights across the market. [Source discussion with technology outlets and insider previews; attribution to industry reporting channels.]