Q: iPhone 5 with iOS 7 randomly shuts off

That is correct, I can confirm that if you hold shift and click check for updates, it will allow you to reinstall iOS from the ipsw file, and will not delete any of your settings or photos/movies/music/etc. I just performed this update and it took maybe 15-20 minutes. It remains to be seen whether or not it will fix my battery issues, but I'm hopeful after reading the success others have had with this process.

Thank you for the clarification. Please let us all know if this method did the trick for you and it solved the problem.

So it looks like installing the 1.3 Gb version of iOS 7.0.4 didn't work at all for me. The problem persists and my iPhone keeps dying randomly when the battery is at around 10-20-30% but ONLY when 3G cell data is turned on... with wifi only the battery lasts till the very end and dies at 0%...

It didn't work for me at all, either. It's still shutting down with plenty of battery life left, and battery percentage still drops at erratic rates.

I'm wondering if installing the .ipsw file by doing a shift-click-restore instead of shift-click-update, and then restoring the phone from iCloud, would work. Has anyone had any success with this method?

Ya, after installing the .ipsw 1.3 Gb file, my phone seemed to be fixed but then after a few days it's acting up again.  I'm just going to order a new battery and install it myself and hopefully that will work. 

But it does seem strange that many of us are having similar problems that all started after updating to iOS 7.

Guys, it's the battery.  After Apple replaced my phone the problem was solved.

The problems you are experiencing are just like mine.  Phone shuts down under 50%, under 40% and especially under 20%.  Sometimes trying to take a pic causes the phone to shut off.  Plugging it in brings it back to life at a higher percentage then when it shut down.  If you leave the phone alone for 5-10 min and hit the power button at the top the phone will come on.  Sometimes it will shut right back down again.

My friend had the same issue as me and they replaced his battery a week ago.

Call Apple and explain the problem and get them to send you the diagnostic test via text.  They can tell if your battery has issues.

Ya I think Dazman63 is right, it's the battery.

Here's a link from apple's website with an option to get a new battery for only $79 + $10.77 shipping if your phone is out of warranty:  http://www.apple.com/ca/batteries/replacements.html

It says:

iPhone Owners

Your one-year warranty includes replacement coverage for a defective battery. If it is out of warranty, Apple offers a battery replacement for $79, plus $10.77 shipping, subject to local tax. Apple disposes of your battery in an environmentally friendly manner.

EXACTLY!! Mine only does the weird battery meter chunk drop when I'm using LTE. If I'm on wi fi all is usually good. It HAS to be a software bug where it thinks the modem is using a CRAZY amount of power and that's what's bringing the meter down so fast! I never had this problem on ios 6 and the problem started IMMEDIATELY after I upgraded to 7.0.4. I've restored as new twice and ran the battery down a few times and recharged and the problem still happens. My battery is fine. It's ios 7.0.4 battery algorithm that's all wonky reading the drain off the lte modem. So probably most of the people who call apple and then send them 80$ for a new battery actually don't need one! Please fix this apple!!!

I agree... it must be a software problem. If it were a battery problem, why would it work perfectly fine with wifi and act up only when using 3G/LET?

Maybe changing the battery gives the illusion that the problem is solved, just because it's probably triggered especially with older batteries (but mine is only 1.5 years old).

In the meantime, I bought a slim battery case for only 30$, so I can keep using my phone regularly until Apple comes up with an effective solution.

Just a follow up..  I posted a few pages back while I had this problem but I'm happy to report I no longer have any issues at all..   For the people saying its a battery issue I highly doubt it.....   I Called apple support and had the tech send me a text to check my battery (since a lot were saying it was) and guess what?  No battery issue at all.. The person I talked to said its very rare for the Iphone battery to go bad just after a year or two..    So I didn't the one thing I didn't want to, RESTORE!....    1st. Back up your phone on I tunes  2nd Restore your phone from I tunes.. and that was it.. After doing this I had no issues at all.. My phone was shutting off around 50% 40% and 20% and when i take picture sometimes.. But now my battery life goes down to 1% before it shuts off.   So before you go buy a battery have them send you a text to test your battery.  

Zuuwk,

Exact same problem.  I restored as new device and didn't add a single app and it still did it.  Maybe some are experiencing a software bug, but my phone was 14 months old and the battery had had it.

Thanks to Apple for replacing my phone!

To the people who have a year old or so iphone 5 running 7.0.4 that have had this problem and have had their battery changed:

1. On only cellular data are you noticing fast chunky drops in your battery meter anymore?

2. What is your average USAGE time now after new battery on wifi only?

3. What is average usage time using strictly cellular data?

I'm trying to figure out if I should just say f it and change my **** battery even though I really shouldn't have to. I'm just so annoyed with the random meter drops and shutdowns. And yes I agree with what the guy said about it being rare for a battery to go bad within 1-2 years. My i4 is still running like a champ on the original battery and I used that one a lot! It really is starting to bug me how apple handles these updates too and it's like they have their nose held high in the air and don't admit when something goes wrong. They've gotten so big and I feel like they have been losing what used to make them so special. I've been losing my respect for the company lately. Please fix! Or tell us something! 

Same thing has happened to me. I spent 3hours waiting at the Apple store for a replacement. and they recommened reinstalling the iOS and not using any apps on the phone for a Week to see if it helps.. I have AppleCare on the phone... what I love is that everyone I talk to at Apple is saying they never heard of this happening to anyone befor haha! all my friends have been having the same issue and going into the Apple store to report the issue... some got replacement. Has Apple even Addressed this problem yet... Because it is a problem.  My girlfriends phone shut-off on her when using the navigation to get home... she was lost for an hour with a phone charged to 75% that did not want to turn on!

Just tried this today! I hope it fixes my problem!!

guys, I too think it must be the battery, I have had my iphone for 2 years or so never had the problem, recently purchased a new battery, replaced it and now I have the shutting off issues. It has to been dodgy batch of battery's !!!