If you have a Pixel phone that has been experiencing rapid battery drain and overheating, you may want to consider removing the Instagram app. Recent reports indicate that some Pixel users have encountered significant battery issues following the May security update.
This update, while intended to fix software vulnerabilities, seems to have inadvertently led to faster battery depletion and overheating in several Pixel models. Notably, even newer models like the Pixel 9 Pro, released only last September, are affected by these problems.
Users have taken to forums like Reddit to express their concerns, noting that the overheating and battery drain occurs not only while actively using the Instagram app but also when the app is running in the background. This suggests that the app could be a major contributor to the issue, rather than the phone’s age or battery condition.
For those facing these challenges, a straightforward solution might be to uninstall Instagram and observe if the phone’s performance improves. Reports indicate that this could help lower the device’s temperature and extend battery life.
Users can always reinstall the app later once a fix is provided by Meta. The Pixel models impacted by this issue span from the Pixel 6 series to the newly launched Pixel 9 lineup.
If you haven’t experienced similar issues on your Pixel 6 Pro, for instance, it might indicate that the problem is not universal across all devices. However, if your phone is overheating or the battery is draining unusually fast, it could be worth trying the suggested workaround.