Level 1

80 points

ios 10.2.1 to 10.3 battery drain

Hi there,

Iphone 7, Since upgrading to 10.2.1 and now 10.3, The battery life has been horrible.

Especially in standby where it can be charged at 100% and within 4 hours sitting and not being used it will drop 20% battery, Its starting to get very annoying as i'm now having to charge my iphone twice a day, I would be lucky to get 2-3 hrs device usage according to battery settings. I also have friends with the same issue since updating to 10.2.1 and beyond.

Any ideas on what is causing it as i've tried the 10.3.2 public beta and no change in issue.

Starting to with i hadn't sold my Pixel.

Dan

Posted on Mar 31, 2017 5:00 PM

Top-ranking reply

Lawrence Finch

Level 10

229,462 points

Posted on Sep 7, 2017 11:04 AM

Let me try to be helpful. Whatever the problem is, it is NOT a problem with the specific version (in this case, 10.3.3). If you assume it is a problem with the version you will never resolve it. There are a couple of reasons I say that. The first is that this was a trivial change, adding a few lines of code to block a hacker from taking over the radio chip. There is no way such a small change could have created a battery drain problem.

The more general reason is that in the 10 years and dozens of updates that have been released, there are a small number of phones that report increased battery drain after EVERY update. The number of reported problems for 10.3.3 is an order of magnitude fewer than for several other recent releases, and even those were small numbers. There are only two cases where this was actually a problem with the release; 2.0 and 3.1.0. And the many thousands of posts after each of these releases demonstrated that.

If it isn't the version itself, what causes the sudden change in battery life? Sometimes when a version is installed it causes a problem in an app. The update process terminates running apps, and not all of the 1 million+ apps are coded to handle that gracefully. When they restart they may have lost the status of whatever they were doing. They keep retrying and failing, consuming battery in the process.

Another possible related cause is Microsoft Exchange. There is a flaw in the Exchange ActiveSync protocol. It has been there forever; fixing it would require a protocol change, which would break billions of devices that use ActiveSync. So Microsoft doesn't fix it. If an ActiveSync device loses its place in what it was doing it creates a new connection to the Exchange server. But the Exchange server doesn't know about the problem. It accepts the new connection, but doesn't kill the old one, which keeps trying and failing, again using energy. If you have an MS Exchange account and you have a battery problem (even not associated with an iOS update) either turn off the account in Settings, restart the phone, and turn it back on. Or delete it, restart, and add it back.

In general, go to Settings/Battery and see which apps are using the most energy. Wait at least a day after the update to do this, so you have 24 hours worth of data.

Troubleshooting steps for sudden changes in battery life:

Kill all running processes, then restart the phone. Note that this will not necessarily fix the problem of stuck apps, however, because they may restart in the same state they were in when killed.
Connect to iTunes, restore iOS, and restore your backup. This does 2 things: it deals with the possible but unlikely problem that the iOS version on the phone is corrupted, and it also assures that all apps restart fresh. Remember that app data must be restored, which uses energy, so wait at least 24 hours to see if the problem is resolved. If not:
Repeat, and set up the phone as new. Do not log in to iCloud. Do not install any email accounts, calendars or contacts. Do not install any apps. If the problem is still present after a few hours your phone has a hardware problem.
If this does resolve the problem try restoring your backup. If the problem comes back you have corrupt data for one or more apps. You can try to figure out which app from Settings/Battery.

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492 replies

May 9, 2017 12:34 AM in response to Caturday84

I agree with your reluctance on sending off your phone. Refurbished will be some "not new" phone you will get back to replace your new one you paid good money for. Most likely won't fix the issue. I read a couple posts now where people sent off their phones for the same reason, only to be out money, with a now refurbished phone.. but with the same problem.

The more I read online about it.. the more I think it's a battery regulator problem. Because my power drops while plugged in and I'm using phone, and that's never happened before.. ever. I believe the battery should "disconnect" and phone run off wall power (which is why phone is always able to charge so fast.. or used to). Probably wrong.. but I'm still trying to find out exactly if the software link can screw with it more (they are already bad.. google iPhone battery regulator) maybe someone with an understanding of the software can better answer if that's possible.

But.. long story short, I'd just try to be patient and see if some fix comes out soon, rather than send off your phone (unless you dropped, soaked, used it as a hammer, played frisbee with it) it's probably not a bad battery or damage.

Until then.. (and I hate to be repetitive) these things extended my battery life .. (BARELY) did NOT fix it

Turn off location services only on "while using"

Turn off background app refresh

Under mail settings - use "fetch" hourly or more

Turn off "automatic updates and downloads" for apps and music..

Yeah I know, it seems like you're taking all the conveniences out of your "smart" phone.. making it a lifeless brick that blinds you every morning when you look at the screen. (Oh yeah, dim your brightness as low as comfortable for you) it might all help a little.

I swear some days my phone is normal.. then others it's a battery hog. I've found I use my phone less.. but always stare at my battery percentage.. hoping it'll be like before.

But.. as I type this.. plugged into a wall.. I've lost 3% (and I'm a fast typer)

Obnoxs2

Level 1

4 points

May 9, 2017 12:37 AM in response to Caturday84

Listening to replay of Rovers Morning Glory radio talk show and 3/4 guys complaining about battery drain!!!

Coincidence?

All using Iphones incredibly!

I'm going to try and call in morning at 6:30am and ask if anyone has addressed issue about possible IOS upgrade interference...

Maybe I will be on air and some Apple executives will hear about it and get off there ***** and fix issue!!!

Tune in and hear if broadcast in your area:-)

May 9, 2017 1:04 AM in response to Ultron1

Yes, I have. At Apple support they say my problems will be over when I have a new one installed. In this case I either have to do without my phone for 2 weeks or spend a day on travelling to Amsterdam, that is: if I'm lucky enough to get a convenient appointment at Apple Genius Bar. The battery alone will cost me around € 100,- The problem is that a lot of people on this forum did replace it with no result. Did they get their money back? Furthermore this diagnosis appeared with iOS 10.3.1...

iOS 10.3.1 is my problem. I hope Apple soon finds out why it is plaguing a lot of their customers,

May 9, 2017 1:24 PM in response to Lawrence Finch

Lawrence with all due respect please leave this thread or stop commenting. We are not dumb and we tried everything thus no fix.

This is an software issue, so Lawrence please stop defending Apple and telling us we are insane.

Milenebr

Level 1

9 points

May 9, 2017 1:35 PM in response to clone0504

Went back there today they ran a battery test and it flagged .. so got a new battery. The apple guy told me that wha happen is when your phone already have some battery problem, but you didnt notice yet (mine is 2 years old) the update will make lot worst. Doesnt make sense for iphone 7 though..since they are new. Anyway. Got a new battery but they just gave me 60days guarantee.. lets see if it solves. Hope so. Wasnt cheap.

Obnoxs2

Level 1

4 points

May 9, 2017 2:11 PM in response to si_ki_ri_ca

I agree with you! The first guy to reply to my post was Lawrence. Basically told me I was delusional and there was NO WAY it was update issue. Funny thing happened today upon turning phone on. It showed I had voicemail from my sister. I played message and realized I had already heard it like 2 weeks ago!!! Looked down at my list of voicemails already listened to and READY FOR THIS?

A dozen voicemails reappeared from being deleted and completely cleared from the "deleted" part. So now what?

Lawrence can call me delusional for hearing voices in my head but NOT for "voice"mails resurrecting themselves back onto phone!!!!!!

Got any suggestions LAWRENCE?

Certainly not update issue? Right?

Jay Ros

Level 1

44 points

May 9, 2017 2:41 PM in response to Obnoxs2

Of course that's not an iOS problem. You're dumb!

Ask Lawrence if you don't believe me.

Dumb people should not be able to buy this phones.

Well, to be honest... A voicemail problem sounds more like something is wrong with your operator. I don't know.

Milenebr

Level 1

9 points

May 9, 2017 3:35 PM in response to Rana67

Thats how mine was doing too. And also my brother's he has a 7 I have a 6.. his did that for 2 weeks and died-didnt turnned back on again. I just got my battery changed cause the apple guy said was the battery and the update made it worst... I just dont think is fair that I had to pay 85$ for something was fine before update... hoping that at leastsolve the problem.. so far so good.

GRooky56

Level 1

4 points

May 9, 2017 6:19 PM in response to Danjohn1

Dear Helpful stars:

I have 10.3.1 on iPh6 and iPad mini and battery drain is significant, and which drainage has increased my irritability scale ever since 10 u/d at Christmas. I am slow to uptick, bcuz there is always something. The addl Issue is the overheating of both units at upr R corner area that spreads westward if not caught right away.

Teading elsewhere that closing apps does not affect this issue, and true also w bkgrnd refresh.

I have done a spit test on batt usage when at 11% by power off for 5" and backon, useage up a dew mins but standby is not drastically chgd.

So what else do I do to avoid "must" have i7 to replace ov/heated i6??? My grandma braincells are overheating concurrently ;)

May 15, 2017 2:17 AM in response to Danjohn1

So kind of an update for everyone from page 16.

I got a new battery, and it has made things much better but still the battery life is draining a bit faster than if it was new. I definitely think the iOS software messed something up besides reformatting the memory storage in 10.3. Hopefully Apple fixes the issue soon.

TLDR: Got a new battery, but still noticing it running hotter and a bit faster than if the phone was new. Getting about 6-7 hours standby time with about 2-3 hours of on screen time per charge. Much better than before but still...

May 15, 2017 1:23 PM in response to Danjohn1

Does Apple even read this stuff?? My battery was fully charged when I unplugged it from the charger & in less than 2 hours it was at 3%. My phone was freezing, booting me out of apps & would not work properly at all. I don't know what the heck is going on with this 6S+ I have had for a year, but with every vague iOS update the battery in my phone is worse than the update before. My phone is constantly hot, sometimes to the point I can't even touch it. This needs to be addressed by Apple pronto. I didn't pay $900 for a phone to not work.

May 15, 2017 1:39 PM in response to bundysmom

Apparent they don't bother to read the forum, even though it's on their site. Incredible isn't it?

The way forward is apparently to channel it to their support (an icon somewhere here) and get them to sort it out.

It would be interesting to see if you can get it resolved, as there are a few who haven't and have got a replacement phone. The others...who knows?? Some apparently have managed to fix it, but others presumably are still suffering with very poor battery life hoping Apple will fix it on the next release.

I have a 6S+ and staying clear of the dreaded 10.2 and 10.3 updates.

Nosfera2

Level 1

4 points

May 15, 2017 2:20 PM in response to Danjohn1

I had a similar issue with my brand new iPhone 6s+. I was just looking at my phone and my battery dropped a percentage about every minute; and i never restore data, it was set up as new. I reloaded firmware by holding shift in iTunes, set up phone as new, same issue. Then someone mentioned to just sign out of iCloud. Tried that and it worked! Funny thing is, my wife has a 6s+ too, to duplicate the issue i upgraded her device to 10.3.2 from 10.2.1, same exact symptoms. I suggest signing out of iCloud and see if that helps.

Im constantly fascinated to always read on these forums to "go to settings, battery, see whats eating battery..." But clearly this is an iCloud problem and will not show up in battery usage. This is more of a backend iOS problem. Anywho, my conclusion now is that iCloud is pure evil.

May 15, 2017 4:27 PM in response to Jonathanpxxxx

Well it's only been and hour but so far it hasn't helped.

Started at close to full battery. 1hour use 46%.

I will not buy the next iPhone if the don't fix this crap.

Makes no sense. Got a perfect phone , download an apple update- now worthless .

Can't use the thing away from home due to fear the phone will die.

I'm an apple fanboy but this will put and end to it.

This phone is less than a year old. Payed cash for it . It will be my last.

May 15, 2017 4:46 PM in response to anthodavis

Nosfera2 mentioned that he just signed his phone out of iCloud and that fixed it. I'm not sure if that means you can log later back in again and it would be OK or whether you need to be signed out all the time now?

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ios 10.2.1 to 10.3 battery drain