You can make a difference in the Apple Support Community!

When you sign up with your Apple Account, you can provide valuable feedback to other community members by upvoting helpful replies and User Tips.

💡 Did you know?

⏺ If you can't accept iCloud Terms and Conditions... Learn more >

⏺ If you don't see your iCloud notes in the Notes app... Learn more >

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

iPhone 3GS Battery Issue (iOS 5)

So after upgrading to iOS 5, I have discovered an issue with the battery on my iPhone 3GS. Anywhere between a 25%-35% charge as indicated by the battery indicator, my iPhone will just randomly shut off, and it won't power back up unless I plug it into an outlet and let it charge. The fact that my phone keeps turning off between a certain charge percentage leads me to believe that the battery indicator is not properly calibrated. Is there anyway to calibrate the iPhone 3GS battery? Also is anyone else expereiceing this problem?

Posted on Oct 13, 2011 4:56 PM

Reply
99 replies

Oct 31, 2011 8:04 AM in response to jgurbisz

This happens to me at 39 - 35% on my 3GS as well. I noticed that the battery indicated does not show a proper reading.....staying at 100% after full charge for over an hour and with normal use.


My difference is this started happening to me about 1.5 weeks BEFORE the iOS 5 release. I was hoping that it would be corrected with the new OS but no. I've restored to factory settings and it shut off again at the 39 - 35% range.

Oct 31, 2011 8:39 PM in response to jgurbisz

Similar issue ... My 3GS was running flawlessly until the iOS 5 update. Now it will randomly shut off and will not restart even after plugging it in. After several hours, it will come back on and show that the battery is dead and needs to be charged. It will shut off with as much as 90% battery within only hours of being "fully" charged. Has anyone actually received any help from Apple anywhere in the forum? None oh the posts I have read have had any response. I paid top dollar for this thing and had been very pleased until this. All I expect is for it to operate correctly... Is that too much to ask?

Nov 2, 2011 4:14 AM in response to jgurbisz

A couple of days after upgrading to IOS5 on my 3GS started with battery problems, where the phone gets hot and will drain the battery in 3 or so hours. I've also experienced delays in response time and the phone locking up. As suggested on the internet, I've turned off everything that accesses outside data except mail, calendar, reminders and contacts. Basically the phone is now unreliable and all the features that make it useful are now disabled. I don't know if I can downgrade, but need to. If someone knows how to do this, I would appreciate advise. Also is someone from Apple wants to talk to me about the issues, let me know.

Nov 3, 2011 6:50 PM in response to jgurbisz

I am having exactly the same issues being reported here. After upgrading to IOS 5, my 3GS will randomly shut off with 30-50+% battery left and will only turn on when plugged into a battery source. I have been on with Apple and because the phone is still under warranty, I am requesting anew phone. I am sooooo frustrated because I had no issues before the upgrade. Now, the phone is totally unreliable.

Nov 4, 2011 12:19 AM in response to jgurbisz

When the 3Gs suddenly shuts off I noticed that basically the display background light is shutting off. On the screen one still can see the original image (but its very dark without background light).It seems a bit like the device is not getting sufficient power from the battery.


Yesterday, I turned off all Location services in addition to mobile data, 3G, bluetooth and iCloud services keeping only WIFI activated. This way my iphone "survived" the night and battery charge is still above 90%.


Could the issues have to do with the location services as it is rumored to be the case with the 4S? If so IOS 5.0.1 that will be released within weeks could solve the issues also for the 3Gs.

iPhone 3GS Battery Issue (iOS 5)

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.