If your phone feels worse after moving to Android 17, start with the least disruptive fixes: give it a few days, restart, update your apps and system, then look at battery usage. Many post-update problems settle on their own or are patched in a later update. A factory reset should be the last step, not the first.
Cooper is the Androidlounge editorial pen name. This guide is compiled from published reports and manufacturer guidance, linked at the end, not from hands-on testing. Menu names vary by brand and software version.
Has Android 17 reached your phone yet?
Check Settings > System > Software update on a Pixel. Google’s Pixel update page lists which models still get Android version updates: Pixel 8 and later get seven years, Pixel 6, 6a, 7, 7a and Pixel Fold get five years from their US launch, and Pixel 5a and older get no more updates. Samsung, Motorola and other brands release Android 17 on their own schedules, so check your manufacturer’s update list rather than assuming. Our explainer on what Gemini Intelligence is covers the new AI layer.
Before you change anything: back up
Take a backup before troubleshooting, particularly if you plan to try Safe Mode or a reset later. Our guide to a full Android backup explains what is saved automatically, what is not, and how to test that your backup works.
Seven checks, in order
1. Give it a few days
After a major update, phones commonly run background tasks for a day or two, so battery life and heat can look worse at first. If the phone only just updated, wait two or three normal days of use before deciding something is wrong.
2. Restart, then update your apps
Restart the phone, then open Google Play and update your apps. Apps built for an older version of Android sometimes misbehave until their developers push a compatibility fix. Updating them is free and takes a few minutes.
3. Check for another system update
Go to Settings, then System, then Software update (the path on Google’s Pixel help page; other brands label it differently). Fixes often arrive as small follow-up updates. For example, PhoneArena reported on 9 October 2026 that a beta build of Android 17 QPR2 fixed a Pixel problem where the Flip to Shh feature could stop the phone from entering deep sleep, causing excess drain while idle. That bug was in a beta, so most people will not see it, but it shows why checking for updates comes before changing settings. If you are on a beta, expect rough edges and back up first.
4. Read the battery screen
If the battery is the complaint, open Settings, then Battery, then Battery usage, and look for an app that ranks high without a good reason. Our walkthrough on finding the app that is draining your battery shows how to separate normal heavy use from background drain.
5. Try Safe Mode
Safe Mode starts the phone with downloaded apps switched off. On many phones you press and hold the power button, then touch and hold “Power off” and confirm Safe Mode, but the steps differ by brand, so check your manufacturer’s instructions. If the problem disappears in Safe Mode, a third-party app is the likely cause. Our battery guide above explains how to run an overnight Safe Mode test.
6. Deal with sluggishness separately
Slowness is not always the update. Full storage, outdated apps and a worn battery all play a part. See do Android phones slow down over time for what is real and what helps.
7. Reset only as a last resort
If nothing above helps and the problem is severe, a factory reset (usually under Settings, then System, then Reset options) can clear a stubborn software fault. It erases the phone, so it only makes sense with a verified backup and after the earlier steps.
Which check to start with
| What you notice | Start here |
|---|---|
| Battery falls faster than before, but the phone is not hot | Wait a few days, then check Battery usage (step 4) |
| Battery drains overnight with the phone untouched | Check for a system update, then try Safe Mode (steps 3 and 5) |
| One app crashes or freezes | Update that app, then restart (step 2) |
| Whole phone feels laggy | Check free storage and app updates (step 6) |
| Phone is hot, shuts down, or the case is bulging | Stop using it and contact the manufacturer; this is a hardware warning, not an update bug |
If the battery is several years old, age may matter more than the update. Nexgadgets explains how long phone batteries actually last and when a replacement makes sense.
FAQ
Is it normal for battery life to drop after a big Android update?
A short dip is common while the phone finishes background work after the update. If it is still poor after several normal days, work through the checks above.
Should I install the Android 17 beta to get fixes sooner?
Most people are better off waiting for the stable release. Betas can introduce their own bugs, so back up first if you do enrol.
Can I go back to the previous Android version?
Rolling back is not a simple setting on most phones and can wipe your data. Check your manufacturer’s instructions and back up first. For most problems, the checks above are safer.
When should I contact the manufacturer?
Contact them if the phone overheats, shuts down unexpectedly, will not charge properly, or the battery looks swollen.
Sources
- Google Pixel Help: Learn when you’ll get software updates on Google Pixel phones
- PhoneArena: Google fixes Pixel battery drain in Android 17 QPR2 Beta 7
Last reviewed: November 8, 2026
