Key Takeaways

• Battery health is an important factor in the long-term usability of your phone, as it indicates how much the battery is deteriorating.
• Samsung Galaxy phones have a built-in method for checking battery health through the Samsung Members app.
• If you don't have a Samsung Galaxy device, you can try accessing Android's hidden diagnostic menu using dialer codes, or use a third-party app like "DevCheck" from the Play Store.

Battery life is something most people think about, but what about battery health? This is important for the long-term usability of your phone. Unlike the iPhone, Android devices don't have a super-easy way to check this.

What is battery health, anyway? The term "battery life" typically refers to how long the battery will last on a charge. Battery health tells us how much the battery is deteriorating. Low battery health means the battery will perform worse—discharge faster, get warm, etc.

Check Battery Health on Android a Samsung Galaxy Phone

Samsung is one Android manufacturer that includes a method for checking battery health. It does require an app, but it's an app that is most likely already on your phone. If you don't have the Samsung Members app, you can download it from the Play Store.

First, let's swipe down from the top of the screen to reveal the Quick Settings tiles. Tap the gear icon to open the Settings.

Next, scroll down and select "Battery and Device Care."

Under the "Additional Care" section, select "Diagnostics."

Now select "Phone Diagnostics."

This will open the Samsung Members app with a bunch of icons for things you can check. Tap the "Battery Status" icon to proceed—you won't see a checkmark if you haven't done this already.

Now you'll see some information about the battery.

The "Life" reading is what refers to the health of your battery. It will either be "Good," "Normal," or "Weak."

Other Methods to Check Battery Health

If you don't have a Samsung Galaxy device, there's one method you can try that doesn't require third-party apps.

This method uses Android's hidden diagnostic menu that can be accessed by entering codes in the phone dialer. However, these codes do not work on all devices and mobile networks.

Open the phone app and enter *#*#4636#*#*. This will open a "Testing" menu that may include a "Battery information" section. You'll see the battery health listed here.

If that didn't work—there's a good chance it won't—you'll need to use a third-party app. Thankfully, the Play Store has a really great app for this called "DevCheck."

After installing the app, open it and navigate to the "Battery" tab at the top of the screen.

That's all there is to it. Battery health is generally not something you need to check frequently, but it can play a role in the longevity of your device if you plan on using it for several years (which is a good thing to do).