Issues:
Is this a deliberate and desperate move to slow down previous gen iphone?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPhone 15 Pro Max, iOS 18
My wife has my “old” iPhone 15 Pro Max that she received when I got my iPhone 16 PM. Here’s runs like it’s new and has the iOS 18.4 update. If you’re having issues, we’re happy to help or you can contact Apple for diagnostics of the issue.
Please have Apple perform diagnostics on your iPhone. It can be done in person at an Apple Retail Store or at an Apple Authorized Service Provider. You can also contact Apple Support and request remote diagnostics.
If you’re in the US please call 1-800-MY-APPLE or outside the US, consult the support articles below.
Contact Apple for support and service - Apple Support
Genius Bar Reservation and Apple Support Options - Apple
I'm not aware of general issues, and there haven't been widespread reports posted in ASC.
One of the locals has an iPhone 15 Pro Max, and they've not had any issues with iOS 18.4.
Settings > Battery > Battery Health — above 80% shown? 80% and lower can mean a battery swap is ahead.
Settings > Battery > [scroll down] — any particular apps unexpectedly busy?
Any add-on security apps, or add-on "coffee shop" VPN apps? If so, try removing those, restarting, and testing.
Force a restart, continue to hold the third button press past any sliders and only releasing after the Apple logo is shown. Test again.
No, most definitely not. You will receive iOS updates guaranteed for a few more years to come.
After an update, your iPhone must work extra hard to finish post-update background processes. This mainly includes indexing where your iPhone is creating and sorting a searchable database of your data. Also your iPhone is implementing new features. Common symptoms of post-update processes include increased battery drain, thermal temperatures and more. Give it a few days and when the update-processes are complete, your iPhone will return to normal.
I understand your frustration with the performance drop after updating your iPhone 15 Pro Max. Let’s address each issue clearly and provide solutions:
**iOS 18.4 Update:**
- iOS 18.4 is not the end of your iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- The update may have introduced bugs, background processes, or compatibility issues causing these problems. This is common after major updates but can usually be resolved.
**Concerns:**
1. **iPhone is slow after 18.4:**
- The system re-indexes files (Spotlight, Photos, etc.) post-update, which can temporarily slow things down. This usually resolves in 1-3 days.
2. **Overheating:**
- Possible causes include:
- Background syncing or processes post-update.
- Optimisation bugs in the new iOS version (which Apple may patch soon).
- A tight case trapping heat.
3. **Battery percentage dropped fast (100% to 91%):**
- This could be due to:
- Recalibrated battery health after the update.
- Heat causing faster wear.
- A reporting bug, common in early update stages.
4. **Reduced battery life:**
- This might be a result of:
- iOS 18.4 bugs.
- Heat and background tasks draining power.
- Slight battery health degradation amplifying the issue.
**Solutions:**
**Quick Fixes:**
1. Restart your phone.
2. Check Battery Usage (Settings > Battery) to identify power-draining apps.
3. Reset all settings (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset All Settings) – This won’t delete data, just resets system settings.
4. Temporarily remove any tight case to improve cooling.
5. Disable background app refresh for non-essential apps.
6. Allow 2-3 full charge cycles after the update to recalibrate battery performance.
**Last Resort: DFU Restore Plan (Clean Slate Fix)**
If none of the above solutions work, consider a DFU (Device Firmware Update) Restore. This wipes everything and reinstalls iOS cleanly, bypassing any software bugs.
**Steps:**
1. Backup your iPhone via iCloud or Finder (Mac) / iTunes (PC).
2. Connect your iPhone to your computer.
3. Press the following sequence:
- Quickly press Volume Up.
- Quickly press Volume Down.
- Press and hold Power (Side button) until the screen goes black.
- Once the screen goes black, hold Volume Down while still holding Power for 5 seconds.
- Release Power but keep holding Volume Down for another 10 seconds.
- If done correctly, the screen stays black, and Finder/iTunes will detect it in Recovery Mode.
4. On your computer, choose Restore (not Update).
5. After the restore, set up as a new iPhone first (without restoring backup) and test performance.
6. If everything is good, restore your backup.
**Final Thoughts:**
Apple is not sabotaging the 15 Pro Max; it remains a powerful device. iOS bugs can occur, but with some cleanup and possibly a DFU restore, your phone should return to optimal performance. If issues persist, Apple Support can perform diagnostics to check for any hardware problems.
No, of course not. There is a lot of stuff happening in the background after an operating system update, give it a couple of days to settle down.
iPhone 15 Pro Max overheating and draining battery quickly after iOS 18.4 update
