California: Google recently introduced an update aimed at enhancing the functionality of YouTube for Android users but unfortunately this update has resulted in severe battery issues for many users.
The update aimed to improve performance by displaying playback on the platform in higher resolution while also reducing power consumption on specific Android devices.
According to Forbes, some YouTube users reported that since Google activated the dav1d software upgrade within the YouTube app, their battery performance has significantly deteriorated. The dav1d update was introduced in March 2024 as part of a Google Play system update.
Google’s Software Development Manager, Arif Dkaisi mentioned that devices utilizing dav1d can decode 720p30 video formats. However, older devices lacking hardware support for the AV1 video format which is required for the update are currently facing difficulties in using YouTube without draining their batteries rapidly.
For users eligible for the update, those are devices without existing hardware support for the AV1 video format. Currently, only new devices have built-in support leaving numerous older devices struggling to use YouTube without rapidly depleting their batteries.
