Google has confirmed that the recent battery issues reported by some Pixel users are not related to a bug in its own update but rather an ongoing issue with the Instagram app. The latest Instagram update fixes this problem, suggesting that it was indeed the cause of the battery drain.
The May 2025 update for Google Pixel devices was initially seen as a routine patch, but user reports quickly surfaced about increased battery consumption and overheating issues. While some may have attributed these problems to perception, the sheer volume of complaints suggests that there is an actual issue affecting all Pixel devices from 2021’s Pixel 6 to the latest Pixel 9.
Users have taken to Google’s support forums and a popular subreddit to share their experiences with the update, describing increased battery drain and overheating issues. The problem appears to be widespread, with some users even reporting that their device would heat up while updating apps.
Source: https://9to5google.com/2025/05/28/google-pixel-battery-drain-may-2025-update