iPhone 5 sudden drain even in idle

Question

Level 1

4 points

iPhone 5 sudden drain even in idle

Hello! I have a new iPhone 5 battery and it was working perfectly well for a few days (my phone lasting very long because I only do light surfing: Twitter, WeChat and Instagram for the most part), but then I realized it's suddenly draining faster than usual. Like, I would lock the screen and when a notification pops up, I'd notice my phone drain 1% every single time. Even when I'm just scrolling through articles on Safari, it would drain a lot. And last night, I left my phone beside me fully charged at 100%, but when I checked it the next morning it went to 97%. I think this isn't normal. Any help or suggestion would be appreciated because I'm really frustrated with it, this has been my 2nd battery replacement. Thanks!

iPhone 5, iOS 9.2

Posted on Jan 2, 2016 3:13 AM

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Answer 1

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jan 2, 2016 3:21 AM in response to heyyahandrea

Well, it is not very serious.

It may be seeking for better internet or whatever.

What you can do (from time to time) is a "forced restart":

Press and hold the Power button and the Home button at the same time, keep holding, the screen turns black,

when you see the white apple logo appear you can let both go.

Let it start up completely.

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Answer 2

real jg

Level 2

179 points

Jan 2, 2016 3:31 AM in response to heyyahandrea

Was it replaced by Apple?

Try this test

Charge battery to 100%

Enable Airplane Mode for a few hours. If there is no fast battery drain then this shows the battery hardware is likely fine.

Monitor battery. Go to Settings > Battery what is killing it?

The steps to maximise your battery are linked below.

http://www.apple.com/uk/batteries/maximizing-performance/

Still failing?

reset network settings, test

Reset all setting, test

Back up and restore as new, test

Get help with hardware features on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch - Apple Support

Hope that helps

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Answer 3

heyyahandrea Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 2, 2016 3:42 AM in response to heyyahandrea

Thanks for the tips! I've been using my iPhone for 4 hours now and it's still draining at 40% with very light usage. I'll post an update if ever this changes.

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Answer 4

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jan 2, 2016 4:00 AM in response to heyyahandrea

Here you have a lot of tips:

http://appinstructor.com/blog/2014/the-ultimate-guide-to-solving-ios-battery-dra in

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Answer 5

heyyahandrea Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 2, 2016 4:25 AM in response to heyyahandrea

Just a question: Will my problem be solved if I calibrate my battery? (e.g draining it then charging to 100%)?

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Answer 6

real jg

Level 2

179 points

Jan 2, 2016 5:08 AM in response to heyyahandrea

Possibly. Try it.

Have a look at the link LexSchellings posted though it is very good.

Have you tested in Airplane mode?

Restore as new and test will also tell you. If the issue persists as new and in airplane mode then there is a hardware issue.

Contact Apple support they can diagnose your device over the phone and be able to tell you more. But restore as new and test in Airplane mode.

Make sure to back up your data before doing that. Test as new and then restore the back up.

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Answer 7

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jan 2, 2016 5:46 AM in response to heyyahandrea

No "calibration" is old hat:

1. all batteries in the last years have been tested and "calibrated"

2. Calibration is only calibrating the electronics not the battery.

It is not really good for the battery. More info on batteries:

Basic to Advanced Battery Information from Battery University

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Answer 8

heyyahandrea Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 2, 2016 6:00 AM in response to Lexiepex

Thank you so much for all the helpful advice! I did the "hard restart" thing and it worked! It's been 1 hour with my continuous use and my battery hasn't drained one bit! Thank you so much, I was nearly helpless.

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Answer 9

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jan 2, 2016 7:47 AM in response to heyyahandrea

my pleasure..

🙂

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Answer 10

heyyahandrea Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 7, 2016 2:24 AM in response to heyyahandrea

I forgot to give an update on my device after the rebooting "solved" the problem.

See, when I did a hard restart on my phone, the battery became stable and didn't drain for several hours. Then, all of a sudden, it began draining quickly again. It's been that way since today, when the battery percentage stayed the same %, then dropped quickly again. I'd be listening to music at 100% with no WiFi on, and it would drain 3-7% in as little as an hour.

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Answer 11

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jan 7, 2016 2:37 AM in response to heyyahandrea

it would drain 3-7% in as little as an hour

So if you listen, say, 10 hours, it would drain about 30-70% !!!

Not bad at all.

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Answer 12

heyyahandrea Author

Level 1

4 points

Jan 7, 2016 2:47 AM in response to Lexiepex

Yes, but when I turn the music off and not use my device (since I go to school and leave it inside my bag), I would take it out again & notice the battery is still draining... I'll probably just live with it until a software update fixes any battery issue whatsoever. Anyhow, the battery is still draining completely quick. I am typing this on my iPhone and it's drained 2%... Strange

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Answer 13

Lexiepex

Level 6

14,108 points

Jan 7, 2016 2:50 AM in response to heyyahandrea

Well music on, even if you stop the sound, and so on... I say it is not bad at all.

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