Pixel smartphones: Update in May causes massive battery problems

Google users report on the May Update of Massive Cabbody Problems. Instagram in particular seems to be heavily burdened by the pixel smartphones. All current models from Pixel 6 to Pixel 9 are affected. It is to be hoped that this will soon be fixed.

Battery problems plague pixel users

Google rolled out the monthly security update for supported Pixel models in early May. The update contains error fixes for Bluetooth coupling problems with certain smartwatches and improvements in microphone absorption quality. In addition, over two dozen security gaps in Google and Android services were closed, including a zero-day weak point (CVE 2025-27363), which according to Google “may already be used in a targeted manner”.

Numerous users report in the Google support forums and on Reddit (via 9to5google) of serious battery problems after installation. According to some, this undesirable behavior is so serious that some devices do not even survive a day without a load and have to go to the power supply in the afternoon. Particularly worrying: the battery discharges itself much faster than usual at the time. In some cases, users report battery consumption of up to 20 percent overnight, although the device was in standby mode.

Instagram identified as a possible culprit

Energy -hungry apps are often the cause of such problems, especially if you need special permissions for the location and background data. Several users have identified the Instagram app as a possible main cause, but it is not clear whether this is the cause or just a symptom. In the video, Google presents the Pixel 9 and Pixel 9 Pro with Gemini

The battery statistics in the settings show many affected devices that Instagram also consumes an unusually large amount of energy in the background. Some users report that uninstalling the app is said to have significantly improved the battery problems. Others are successful in restricting the background activity of the app or limiting the permissions.

The update has been gradually rolled out for all supported models since the beginning of May – from Pixel 6 to Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The distribution takes place in phases over several weeks. In the settings under “System> Software Update”, users can search manually for the update. For those who have not yet installed the update, it could be advisable to wait until Google provides a fix. If you are already affected, you should check which apps use most battery and, if necessary, restrict them or uninstall them temporarily.