Workaround for HTC Hero battery life issues discovered
Well, there still isn't a fix for the problem some people seem to be having with receiving text messages on their HTC Hero, but it looks like a workaround has been discovered for another pesky issue that can put a strain on the phone's battery life. Apparently, the phone has a bit of trouble going back into sleep mode after you send a text, or after you simply turn on the phone and immediately disable the screen without any activity. While some fairly elaborate fixes were tried by some users initially, it looks like the simplest actually works the best: just don't use the default SMS app to send texts. Instead, you can use a third-party app like ChompSMS or HandCent, which apparently have no problems letting the phone go back to sleep after you send a text. Of course, an official fix would still be the best but, in the meantime, you can hit up the link below for all the necessary details on making the (hopefully temporary) switch.[Thanks, Sean]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Breon @ Oct 29th 2009 5:43PM
I've used Handcent since day one. the battery life is still poor. I regularly launch Taskiller, and the stock Messages app is running, even though I disabled all notifications and I never launch it.
I'm crossing my fingers for a fix soon.
I've been using the Droid all day long (sms, calls, video recording, camera, music, internet) and the battery is just in the yellow. I've had to keep my Hero on the charger throughout the day.
Craig @ Oct 30th 2009 1:23AM
I've had my Hero off the charger all day since 8am, medium-heavy usage(about 25 texts sent, web browsing for 20 minutes, etc) and I'm still still at about 50%.
Andrej @ Oct 30th 2009 2:29AM
Download the TaskPanel app. It has an option to auto-kill certain tasks at desired intervals. Just set the default messaging app as one of these, and you should notice some significant improvements in battery life. Also, make sure the other sms app your default and don't forget to reboot your device when all is said and done.
Jaron @ Oct 29th 2009 6:14PM
Bummer. I'm using Handcent and Twidroid Pro (for Twitter) on my Sprint Hero with no probs. I did hear about this problem a couple weeks ago and that's what prompted me to install Handcent. I use Task Manager 1.10.7 and everything is working fine for me.
I had to clear the default SMS app setting and then set it to use Handcent as the default SMS app, but that was no biggie. I never see the stock Messages app running anymore, and the only reason my battery life sucks is because I'm constantly playing with the device.
Bob @ Nov 14th 2009 3:58PM
Newbie question, I know, but really appreciate an answer: Have installed HANDCENT SMS, but how do I disable the one that came with the phone - and be able to set up again (should I want to) after an official fix? Thanx a lot.
Travis @ Oct 29th 2009 7:02PM
All of you guys using Task Managers are idiots. Totally pointless.
tariq @ Oct 29th 2009 8:30PM
Ok genius! Anyway this is old news and the sms app is not the only one causing the phone not to sleep.
nick @ Oct 29th 2009 7:11PM
but.. but... this was the iPhone killer?? oh wait, I guess this isn't now, and the droid is... umm, I wonder what's next....
acidrock @ Oct 30th 2009 8:32AM
LOL, really? How does a battery issue in a phone that was released only 2 weeks ago that will be patched soon anyway amount to a phone not being an 'iphone killer'? If the battery issue was so bad i suppose we could swap with a backup... oh wait you iphone users can't swap your batteries lmao.
Aren't iphone users still waiting for many of the features we got right out the box like multitasking? Didn't it take years for iphone users to get basic functionality like video recording? How open is the iphone to allowing anyone create apps without jumping through hoops and restrictions and even then you end up having to jailbreak for 3rd party apps because mommy apple thought said apps are too naughty for itunes. Apple comes ahead because of the vast app selection and devs focus on apps running on the iphone rather than other OS's due to popularity and profitability, though most of the apps are useless unless you're into fart apps or other novelty junk.
But yea, the iphone is the holy grail because of its mainstream popularity. Boy bands and teeny-bopper music must be the best because they're the music i ever hear reported on TV. The fact that I paid less up front as well as per month for my Hero that does the same and more than the iphone must mean nothing because fanboys might get their feelings hurt over competition. boo-hoo.
Don't let any of this prevent you from buying anything apple because i've made a buttload of cash on apple stock driven by consumers wanting to feel 'in', keep pushing up that stock! lol
nick @ Oct 30th 2009 9:11AM
lol yup acidrock says it all, acidrock.. wonderful, maybe you should try reality sometimes. your comment doesn't mart a response when its completely delusional.
go ahead my friend, tell me, whats the next iphone killer? im sure there will be 5 within the next 1 day all my HTC..lol..joker...acidrock...lol...go back to listening to acidrock....lol
acidrock @ Oct 30th 2009 10:28AM
You see, when you say someone's statement doesn't MERIT a response it means the statement has no truth or reason, not that a valid response was given and you're at a loss for any way to refute it. Instead of acting immature maybe you can explain my inaccuracies with fact?
a @ Oct 29th 2009 7:22PM
$50 additional rebate for HERO! why don't you post an article about THIS fanboys!
http://image.emailinfo2.bestbuy.com/lib/fef41d77766c04/m/2/ESE_20091028_RZ_Core_Coupons.pdf
a @ Oct 29th 2009 7:23PM
it's on the last page of the pdf.
krustyburger16 @ Oct 30th 2009 2:33AM
If I sign up for the basic Reward Zone in the store, do they issue the card on the spot? I don't have one and I want to be able to use the $50 off coupon by the expiration. Thanks.
llc corp @ Oct 29th 2009 8:59PM
i wonder what's next
business line of credit @ Oct 29th 2009 9:03PM
it looks great
Peter F @ Oct 30th 2009 7:57AM
Yeah!! That's what they get!! Stupid WInMo!
Oh wait, sorry. Was just trying to go with the crowd and it didn't work this time.