iPhone 4S 5.0.1 Update Improves Battery w/ Settings Reset

After installing the update make sure you reset all setttings. I have done a few updates now and have had much better sucess after settings reset all. Standby drain has been virtually eliminated from 2-4% hr before update. It is located in settings/reset//reset all settings. You loose some wifi and desktop settings, but data, apps, etc remain intact.

Posted on Nov 11, 2011 5:33 PM

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Posted on Nov 16, 2011 7:18 AM

BradSK wrote:


Hi all, just posting for some advice regarding a system restore.


It seems as though most people have had success after doing a system restore and setting up as a new phone (when I updates to 5.0.1 I needed to restore but chose iCloud backup instead). I am reluctant to lose too much info, so could someone advise me as to what kind of data would be lost a d what could be recovered from the cloud (not via restore but from my old phone)? I know things like apps and music would have to resynced but that's not a problem.


Thanks



Before doing a system restore, try the steps below. Corrupt system level settings created by an iOS 5 bug in the original release that caused battery recalibration issues, etc. Just installing the update does not fix the issue in most cases (sometime it initially can be worse). You need to clear out those settings and recalibate the battery. For those still having the "standby battery drain" issue follow the procedure below in order. It does fix the problem in most cases.



Go through these steps to address the battery after updating to iOS 5.0.1:


1. Reset all settings (settings app-> general-> reset)


2. Go through initial setup steps (lang, wifi, siri, enable location, etc) and choose "setup as new phone" (don't worry your apps, data, contacts, mail photos, will still be there). At this point, Do NOT restore from iCloud or iTunes (It can copy back corrupt settings)


3. Turn off system location services timezone and iAd


4. Fully discharge battery (till it shuts off with the spinning wheel)


5. Fully recharge battery (overnight if possible)


In my experience this improves the Standby battery drain issue significantly in most cases. It reduces drain from 2-4% or more per hr to 0.5% or less. It has worked for many, many users now. If it does not work after a few try's you may have a real battery or hardware issue and should contact Apple. Good Luck!

1,080 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 16, 2011 7:18 AM in response to BradSK

BradSK wrote:


Hi all, just posting for some advice regarding a system restore.


It seems as though most people have had success after doing a system restore and setting up as a new phone (when I updates to 5.0.1 I needed to restore but chose iCloud backup instead). I am reluctant to lose too much info, so could someone advise me as to what kind of data would be lost a d what could be recovered from the cloud (not via restore but from my old phone)? I know things like apps and music would have to resynced but that's not a problem.


Thanks



Before doing a system restore, try the steps below. Corrupt system level settings created by an iOS 5 bug in the original release that caused battery recalibration issues, etc. Just installing the update does not fix the issue in most cases (sometime it initially can be worse). You need to clear out those settings and recalibate the battery. For those still having the "standby battery drain" issue follow the procedure below in order. It does fix the problem in most cases.



Go through these steps to address the battery after updating to iOS 5.0.1:


1. Reset all settings (settings app-> general-> reset)


2. Go through initial setup steps (lang, wifi, siri, enable location, etc) and choose "setup as new phone" (don't worry your apps, data, contacts, mail photos, will still be there). At this point, Do NOT restore from iCloud or iTunes (It can copy back corrupt settings)


3. Turn off system location services timezone and iAd


4. Fully discharge battery (till it shuts off with the spinning wheel)


5. Fully recharge battery (overnight if possible)


In my experience this improves the Standby battery drain issue significantly in most cases. It reduces drain from 2-4% or more per hr to 0.5% or less. It has worked for many, many users now. If it does not work after a few try's you may have a real battery or hardware issue and should contact Apple. Good Luck!

Nov 18, 2011 11:30 AM in response to davidch

For anyone new to the thread be sure to go through these steps to address the battery after updating to iOS 5.0.1:


1. Reset all settings (settings app-> general-> reset)


2. Go through initial setup steps (lang, wifi, siri, enable location, etc) and choose setup as new phone (don't worry your apps, data, contacts, mail will still be there). Do NOT restore from iCloud or iTunes (It can copy back corrupt settings)


3. Turn off system location services timezone and iAd


4. Fully discharge battery (until you get the spinning wheel and it shuts off)


5. Fully recharge battery (overnight if possible)


In my experience this improves the Standby battery drain issue significantly in most cases. It reduces drain from 2-4% or more per hr to 0.5% or less. It has worked for many, many users now. If it does not work after a few try's you may have a real battery or hardware issue and should contact Apple. Good Luck!

Nov 20, 2011 12:23 PM in response to davidch

For anyone new to the thread be sure to go through these steps to address the battery after updating to iOS 5.0.1:


1. Reset all settings (settings app-> general-> reset)


2. Go through initial setup steps (lang, wifi, siri, enable location, etc) and choose setup as new phone (don't worry your apps, data, contacts, mail will still be there). Do NOT restore from iCloud or iTunes (It can copy back corrupt settings)


3. Turn off system location services timezone and iAd


4. Fully discharge battery (until you get the spinning wheel and it shuts off)


5. Fully recharge battery (overnight if possible)


In my experience this improves the Standby battery drain issue significantly in most cases. It reduces drain from 2-4% or more per hr to 0.5% or less. It has worked for many, many users now. If it does not work after a few try's you may have a real battery or hardware issue and should contact Apple. Good Luck!

Nov 21, 2011 5:45 PM in response to bongpow3r

bongpow3r wrote:


Well, I've ordered an Iphone4s yesterday. I hoped the problem with the battery has been fixed...but my question is.....


is that only a software problem with the battery?


It definitely is a software problem in most cases. I have personally seen the problem and corrected it on numerous models now including the 4S, 4, 3GS and iPad 2s. Corrupt system level settings created by an iOS 5 bug in the original release that caused battery recalibration issues, etc. Just installing the update does not fix the issue in most cases. You need to clear out those settings and recalibate the battery. For those still having the "standby battery drain" issue follow the procedure below in order. It does fix the problem in most cases.



Go through these steps to address the battery after updating to iOS 5.0.1:


1. Reset all settings (settings app-> general-> reset)


2. Go through initial setup steps (lang, wifi, siri, enable location, etc) and choose setup as new phone (don't worry your apps, data, contacts, mail will still be there). Do NOT restore from iCloud or iTunes (It can copy back corrupt settings)


3. Turn off system location services timezone and iAd


4. Fully discharge battery (tilll it shuts off with the spinning wheel)


5. Fully recharge battery (overnight if possible)


In my experience this improves the Standby battery drain issue significantly in most cases. It reduces drain from 2-4% or more per hr to 0.5% or less. It has worked for many, many users now. If it does not work after a few try's you may have a real battery or hardware issue and should contact Apple. Good Luck!

Nov 24, 2011 7:01 PM in response to davidch

It seems to be a syncing error loop. My contacts are syncing flawessly again between my devices and iCloud, and yes, the battery stopped draining, which is the main topic here.


I followed instructions from Buxbuster (look for his workaround in the thread link below) and an additional BIG step to restore contacts and syncing, as seen in a MacRumors forum.


This is what I did:


1. Make a backup of your Address Book, using the vCard option (or both, it doesn’t hurt). Save it for later.

2. In your iPhone, delete iCloud account. When it asks, accept both: delete AND delete from my iPhone.

3. Reset network settings. The iPhone will restart, then will ask you to unlock the SIM card.

4.Turn Wi-Fi on.

5. Add the iCloud account again.


That’s for Buxbuster’s workaround. For some, it might work just like that. My iPhone repopulated from iCloud after step 5, but I still had that “server error” on iCloud. I had to do some extra steps, since my Mac was not syncing to iCloud and couldn’t edit anything on my Mac or iCloud. Syncing back had to be fixed, too. If not, the syncing loop would continue from my iPhone, and the battery would drain awfully again.


1. In System Preferences -> iCloud, I turned Contacts off. I chose “keep on My Mac” those contacts, but I got an empty Address Book after a while. And a few minutes later, iCloud contacts were empty and my iPhone also. It is scary at first! Now, before importing that vCard backup…


2. Turn Wi-Fi off. This is important, since your contact-empty iCloud will attempt to wipe your Address Book from your Mac in seconds after importing.


3. Import your vCard backup to Address Book. Just drag it to your blank Address Book window; it asks if you want to import “x” number of cards. Of course, say yes.


4. Turn Wi-Fi on, and then iCloud contacts on again (System Preferences -> iCloud). It will offer to merge your newly populated Address Book with iCloud (which is empty at this point). It should upload every single contact to iCloud, and then to your iDevices. If not, a fifth step would be to import the vCard file to iCloud, but it shouldn’t be necessary.


So, with iCloud syncing working correctly, there is no battery draining! Again, that was my particular issue.


I can’t tell if this is the single answer to the widely spread battery draining problem, but it sure can be fixed with these workarounds, and yes, Apple should address the problem with a future update, for we affected customers don’t need workarounds in the first place 😉


This is the MacRumors discussion:


http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1256807


And the other thread:


https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3391947?tstart=0


Dont’ forget to check buxbuster’s fix, video, and THANK him!


Regards,


R.

Nov 25, 2011 12:56 PM in response to johnfromsouth elgin

johnfromsouth elgin wrote:


I own an iPhone 4 and had no issues with iOS 5.0. I ran the over the air update for iOS 5.01 a couple nights ago and my battery has discharged from a full charge to less than 20% in the course 5 hours. I rebooted the phone, same issue. Trying the factory restore now, but not sure this will help based off of multiple comments all over the web. Any suggestions?


Corrupt system level settings created by an iOS 5 bug in the original release that caused battery recalibration issues, etc. Just installing the update does not fix the issue in most cases. You need to clear out those settings and recalibate the battery. Follow the procedure below in order. It does fix the problem in most cases.



Go through these steps to address the battery after updating to iOS 5.0.1:


1. Reset all settings (settings app-> general-> reset)


2. Go through initial setup steps (lang, wifi, siri, enable location, etc) and choose setup as new phone (don't worry your apps, data, contacts, mail will still be there). Do NOT restore from iCloud or iTunes (It can copy back corrupt settings)


3. Turn off system location services timezone and iAd


4. Fully discharge battery (tilll it shuts off with the spinning wheel)


5. Fully recharge battery (overnight if possible)


In my experience this improves the Standby battery drain issue significantly in most cases. It reduces drain from 2-4% or more per hr to 0.5% or less. It has worked for many, many users now. If it does not work after a few try's you may have a real battery or hardware issue and should contact Apple. Good Luck!

Dec 4, 2011 9:28 AM in response to davidch

David, I did the steps summarized in your post on page 33 (Nov 25, 11;25am) sightly differently but got the same result. This worked! The battery after 28 hours is still at 60%. This is with my normal usage. I bought my 64GB unlocked 4S directly from Apple last week and I was unable to get through even one day with minimal use. It lost 5% per hour. The max life I got was 10 hours 15 minutes from 100% to 0% and auto shutdown. I tried all suggstions - turning off location services, Siri etc, but nothing had helped. Here's what I did:


1. Restored from iTunes. Interestingly, even though the phone was on 5.0.1 out of the box, it asked if I wanted to upgrade. Not sure what it upgraded but I let it do so. Perhaps your reset would have accomplished the same.

2. Did the initial setup and asked iTunes to Set up as NEW. Did not restore from a backup.

3. Changed settings as follows:

- WIFI on and connected to my home network. I leave it on always.

- Notifications - removed Stock Widget and Game Centre

- Location services ON - Allow only Camera, Maps. Turned off for Siri (can't find anything in Canada anyway) and Weather. System Services ALL off.

- General Settings: siri on; network>cellular data on, data roming off; bluetooth off; WIFI sync off (I'm old and prefer the wired connection); spotlight search> delected podcasts, videos, audiobooks (I don't need these); date and time>set timezone automatically is off;

- iCloud - don't use it yet

- Mail, contacts, calendar - I have mobileme, 1 pop, and windows live. Fetch new data> Push is ON; Calendar TimeZone Support is OFF

- Facetime is on


This seems to be working now after 2 days. I will let the battery discharge to zero today and recharge.


Thanks for the tip. It is good into the second day now.

Dec 5, 2011 9:46 AM in response to davidch

For anyone new to the thread be sure to go through these steps to address the battery after updating to iOS 5.0.1:


1. Reset all settings (settings app-> general-> reset)


2 a. Go through initial setup steps (lang, wifi, siri, enable location, etc) and choose setup as new phone (don't worry your apps, data, contacts, mail will still be there). Do NOT restore from iCloud or iTunes (It can copy back corrupt settings)


2 b. If you do get the complete new setup screen with language setup and setup as new phone or restore from iTune/iCloud backup, be sure to go back to #1 and reset all settings again (it should happen the second time)


3. Turn off system location services timezone and iAd (settings -> location services -> system services)


4. Fully discharge battery (until you get the spinning wheel and it shuts off)


5. Fully recharge battery (overnight if possible)


In my experience this improves the Standby battery drain issue significantly in most cases. It reduces drain from 2-4% or more per hr to 0.5% or less. It has worked for many, many users now. If it does not work after a few try's you may have a real battery or hardware issue and should contact Apple. Good Luck!

Dec 7, 2011 4:46 AM in response to doreenwings

doreenwings wrote:


I am extremely frustrated with this battery issue. I've tried everything mentioned here, except letting my phone drain completely. .


doreenwings... you need to do the entire process step by step including "draining the battery completely". without draining the battery, the battery settings will not be recalibrated and the issue will likely remain. again, ALL the steps and the ORDER are important to get this to work.


1. Reset all settings (settings app-> general-> reset)


2 a. Go through initial setup steps (lang, wifi, siri, enable location, etc) and choose setup as new phone (don't worry your apps, data, contacts, mail will still be there). Do NOT restore from iCloud or iTunes (It can copy back corrupt settings)


2 b. If you do get the complete new setup screen with language setup and setup as new phone or restore from iTune/iCloud backup, be sure to go back to #1 and reset all settings again (it should happen the second time)


3. Turn off system location services timezone and iAd (settings -> location services -> system services)


4. Fully discharge battery (until you get the spinning wheel and it shuts off)


5. Fully recharge battery (overnight if possible)


In my experience this improves the Standby battery drain issue significantly in most cases. It reduces drain from 2-4% or more per hr to 0.5% or less. It has worked for many, many users now. If it does not work after a few try's you may have a real battery or hardware issue and should contact Apple. Good Luck!

Dec 7, 2011 7:41 AM in response to davidch

For anyone new to the thread be sure to go through these steps to address the battery after updating to iOS 5.0.1:


1. Reset all settings (settings app-> general-> reset)


2 a. Go through initial setup steps (lang, wifi, siri, enable location, etc) and choose setup as new phone (don't worry your apps, data, contacts, mail will still be there). Do NOT restore from iCloud or iTunes (It can copy back corrupt settings)


2 b. If you do not get the complete new setup screen with language setup and setup as new phone or restore from iTune/iCloud backup, be sure to go back to #1 and reset all settings again (it should happen the second time)


3. Turn off system location services timezone and iAd (settings -> location services -> system services)


4. Fully discharge battery (until you get the spinning wheel and it shuts off)


5. Fully recharge battery (overnight if possible)


In my experience this improves the Standby battery drain issue significantly in most cases. It reduces drain from 2-4% or more per hr to 0.5% or less. It has worked for many, many users now. If it does not work after a few try's you may have a real battery or hardware issue and should contact Apple. Good Luck!

Dec 10, 2011 12:58 PM in response to davidch

For anyone new to the thread be sure to go through these steps to address the battery after updating to iOS 5.0.1:


1. Reset all settings (settings app-> general-> reset)


2 a. Go through initial setup steps (lang, wifi, siri, enable location, etc) and choose setup as new phone (don't worry your apps, data, contacts, mail will still be there). Do NOT restore from iCloud or iTunes (It can copy back corrupt settings)


2 b. If you do not get the complete new setup screen with language setup and setup as new phone or restore from iTune/iCloud backup, be sure to go back to #1 and reset all settings again (it should happen the second time)


3. Turn off system location services timezone and iAd (settings -> location services -> system services)


4. Fully discharge battery (until you get the spinning wheel and it shuts off)


5. Fully recharge battery (overnight if possible)


In my experience this improves the Standby battery drain issue significantly in most cases. It reduces drain from 2-4% or more per hr to 0.5% or less. It has worked for many, many users now. If it does not work after a few try's you may have a real battery or hardware issue and should contact Apple. Good Luck!

Dec 15, 2011 6:56 PM in response to josefrommarruecos

josefrommarruecos wrote:


Hello, i've got ios 5 version on my iphone 4s have nearly all of only 3g on and my batery at the moment is 64% and usage 1:40 min standby 2h this is phathetical situation what i can do to solve this.. Please realy need

jose... i recommend you try my process step by step and in order, if you haven't yet.


1. Reset all settings (settings app-> general-> reset)


2 a. Go through initial setup steps (lang, wifi, siri, enable location, etc) and choose setup as new phone (don't worry your apps, data, contacts, mail will still be there). Do NOT restore from iCloud or iTunes (It can copy back corrupt settings)


2 b. If you do not get the complete new setup screen with language setup and setup as new phone or restore from iTune/iCloud backup, be sure to go back to #1 and reset all settings again (it should happen the second time)


3. Turn off system location services timezone and iAd (settings -> location services -> system services)


4. Fully discharge battery (until you get the spinning wheel and it shuts off)


5. Fully recharge battery (overnight if possible)


In my experience this improves the Standby battery drain issue significantly in most cases. It reduces drain from 2-4% or more per hr to 0.5% or less. It has worked for many, many users now. If it does not work after a few try's you may have a real battery or hardware issue and should contact Apple. Good Luck!

Dec 17, 2011 8:11 AM in response to ZG18

ZG18 wrote:


I am on my 4th 4s. Each one drains battery to the point it is dead in 4 -5 hours with virtually no use. It also gets very warm. Each one has done the same thing. It's on AT&T and apple has replaced it three times at the store with the same results - no change. . I'm trying to find your fix but can't locate it. In the last hour it has been in my pocket and has lost 30% of the battery. I'm about to ditch the iPhone and go droid out of frustration. Can you help me 🙂


i have addressed over 10 users directly and hundreds now on this thread and have not seen that kind of drain. since you have it on 4 phones now using your backup/personal data, it is definitely not a hardware problem, it would lead me to there is something wrong with your backup that causing the excessive drain. i recommend trying my process below which clears up issues with backup corruption in most cases.


1. Reset all settings (settings app-> general-> reset)


2 a. Go through initial setup steps (lang, wifi, siri, enable location, etc) and choose setup as new phone (don't worry your apps, data, contacts, mail will still be there). Do NOT restore from iCloud or iTunes (It can copy back corrupt settings)


2 b. If you do not get the complete new setup screen with language setup and setup as new phone or restore from iTune/iCloud backup, be sure to go back to #1 and reset all settings again (it should happen the second time)


3. Turn off system location services timezone and iAd (settings -> location services -> system services)


4. Fully discharge battery (until you get the spinning wheel and it shuts off)


5. Fully recharge battery (overnight if possible)


In my experience this improves the Standby battery drain issue significantly in most cases. It reduces drain from 2-4% or more per hr to 0.5% or less. It has worked for many, many users now. If it does not work after a few try's you may have a real battery or hardware issue and should contact Apple. Good Luck!

Dec 24, 2011 5:51 PM in response to davidch

For anyone new to the thread be sure to go through these steps to address the battery after updating to iOS 5.0.1:


1. Reset all settings (settings app-> general-> reset)


2 a. Go through initial setup steps (lang, wifi, siri, enable location, etc) and choose setup as new phone (don't worry your apps, data, contacts, mail will still be there). Do NOT restore from iCloud or iTunes (It can copy back corrupt settings)


2 b. If you do not get the complete new setup screen with language setup and setup as new phone or restore from iTune/iCloud backup, be sure to go back to #1 and reset all settings again (it should happen the second time)


3. Turn off system location services timezone and iAd (settings -> location services -> system services)


4. Fully discharge battery (until you get the spinning wheel and it shuts off)


5. Fully recharge battery (overnight if possible)


In my experience this improves the Standby battery drain issue significantly in most cases. It reduces drain from 2-4% or more per hr to 0.5% or less. It has worked for many, many users now. If it does not work after a few try's you may have a real battery or hardware issue and should contact Apple. Good Luck!

Jan 2, 2012 9:34 AM in response to Two Thumbs

Two Thumbs wrote:


Please help! My iPhone 3GS heats up and the battery drains real fast. What should I do?

Follow my steps below and in the exact order as specified... good luck!


1. Reset all settings (settings app-> general-> reset)


2 a. Go through initial setup steps (lang, wifi, siri, enable location, etc) and choose setup as new phone (don't worry your apps, data, contacts, mail will still be there). Do NOT restore from iCloud or iTunes (It can copy back corrupt settings)


2 b. If you do not get the complete new setup screen with language setup and setup as new phone or restore from iTune/iCloud backup, be sure to go back to #1 and reset all settings again (it should happen the second time)


3. Turn off system location services timezone and iAd (settings -> location services -> system services)


4. Fully discharge battery (until you get the spinning wheel and it shuts off)


5. Fully recharge battery (overnight if possible)


In my experience this improves the Standby battery drain issue significantly in most cases. It reduces drain from 2-4% or more per hr to 0.5% or less. It has worked for many, many users now. If it does not work after a few try's you may have a real battery or hardware issue and should contact Apple. Good Luck!

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iPhone 4S 5.0.1 Update Improves Battery w/ Settings Reset

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