Apple's iOS 10.2.1 addresses unexpected iPhone 6, 6s shutdowns
Apple on Thursday revealed an iOS point update that was released a month ago includes a bug fix for an issue causing iPhone 6, 6s, 6 Plus and 6s Plus device owners to experience unexpected shutdowns.
With the release of iOS 10.2.1, Apple quietly patched what appears to be a power management issue that in some cases would cause iPhone 6 and 6s hardware with older batteries to shutdown.
Apple has been gathering data about the fix and its effectiveness since iOS 10.2.1 was released in late January. While the software does not completely rectify the situation, the company in a statement provided to TechCrunch notes an 80 percent reduction in shutdown symptoms on iPhone 6s devices and 70 percent on iPhone 6 units.
Along with the power management patch, iOS 10.2.1 integrates a new feature that allows users who experience unexpected shutdowns to simply restart their phone. Previously, users had to connect an afflicted device to a power adapter to complete the reboot operation. Additionally, Apple will soon add a "service battery" notice to the battery information tool found in the Settings app under Battery, helping owners diagnose their own hardware.
Though not a comprehensive solution, the partial fix is a welcome addition to iOS and should extend the lifecycle of older iPhone 6 and 6s devices.
The unexpected shutdown issue caused a stir earlier this year and led to reports claiming Apple would initiate a second iPhone 6s battery replacement program, but AppleInsider sources debunked those rumors. Last November, Apple issued a battery recall for a "very small" batch of iPhone 6s units due to manufacturing issues.
With the release of iOS 10.2.1, Apple quietly patched what appears to be a power management issue that in some cases would cause iPhone 6 and 6s hardware with older batteries to shutdown.
Apple has been gathering data about the fix and its effectiveness since iOS 10.2.1 was released in late January. While the software does not completely rectify the situation, the company in a statement provided to TechCrunch notes an 80 percent reduction in shutdown symptoms on iPhone 6s devices and 70 percent on iPhone 6 units.
According to the report, Apple determined the shutdowns are triggered by particularly intensive processing tasks. Older batteries are unable to handle the subsequent spikes in power, prompting emergency system shutdowns. New batteries are apparently left unaffected, suggesting normal hardware degradation -- often pronounced in lithium-ion cells -- is a major causal factor.With iOS 10.2.1, Apple made improvements to reduce occurrences of unexpected shutdowns that a small number of users were experiencing with their iPhone. iOS 10.2.1 already has over 50% of active iOS devices upgraded and the diagnostic data we've received from upgraders shows that for this small percentage of users experiencing the issue, we're seeing a more than 80% reduction in iPhone 6s and over 70% reduction on iPhone 6 of devices unexpectedly shutting down.
We also added the ability for the phone to restart without needing to connect to power, if a user still encounters an unexpected shutdown. It is important to note that these unexpected shutdowns are not a safety issue, but we understand it can be an inconvenience and wanted to fix the issue as quickly as possible. If a customer has any issues with their device they can contact AppleCare.
Along with the power management patch, iOS 10.2.1 integrates a new feature that allows users who experience unexpected shutdowns to simply restart their phone. Previously, users had to connect an afflicted device to a power adapter to complete the reboot operation. Additionally, Apple will soon add a "service battery" notice to the battery information tool found in the Settings app under Battery, helping owners diagnose their own hardware.
Though not a comprehensive solution, the partial fix is a welcome addition to iOS and should extend the lifecycle of older iPhone 6 and 6s devices.
The unexpected shutdown issue caused a stir earlier this year and led to reports claiming Apple would initiate a second iPhone 6s battery replacement program, but AppleInsider sources debunked those rumors. Last November, Apple issued a battery recall for a "very small" batch of iPhone 6s units due to manufacturing issues.
Comments
Contacted Apple in December and walked through all the steps with them - a couple of hours on the phone and following steps they needed me to do despite the fact it was already public knowledge which serial numbers were affected. That's how I knew there was a recall for my phone. I found that to be ridiculous. They said they would contact me and arrange a courier. Here we are, two months later!! Hilarious. Not everyone lives close to an Apple store. Not everyone has the time to call Apple and sit on hold or walk through their required steps. 5.5 hour drive min for me. Local options are 100 kms and you see how that is going. They need to take better care of us to keep us.
Finally, the sap that I am, I replaced it with an iPhone 7 before I was done fully paying for the 6s.
Apple customer service was embarrassingly pathetic on this one.
Yes, my girlfriend's "brand new" 6s (purchased in November, winter time) was experiencing shut-downs when it got cooler. And then Apple observed a decrease in shutdowns.... when the temperatures increased? Are they factoring in ambient temperatures?
I'm in same boat with the "not living near an apple store", I can't afford to take time off work (2 days) to make 2 round trips (4hrs each) to get my phone fixed. I was offered the mail-in service but i'd be without phone for "approx. 2 weeks" with no replacement during that time. We're just going to try and hold out till september and get them fixed once we have the new iphones.
And now I find out that this has nothing to do with my battery, it is a problem with the OS!! So effectively I wasted Rs 4200 on a battery change that was not needed at all!
This is the sort of crap that really angers customers about Apple. Why should we fork out serious money on lightning cables just because Apple doesn't know how to make good quality cables? And why would there be third party chargers and cables that cause problems if Apple charged a reasonable amount for their own products?
I will be one of those rubbing their hands in glee when karma catches up to this company, and its hit with a massive massive problem! Something so big, it wipes out all the stashes of wealth they have acquired by ripping off their own customers in multifarious ways.
Thanks, you made me feel better about the $50 cost -- I too could have gone for a new phone instead!
Another possibility is WiFi. Sometimes bedrooms get a poor WiFi signal and the phone keeps searching for the WiFi and switching back and forth between broadband and WiFi.
Or, do what I do -- just plug it in to charge overnight.
And, as for Apple: Yes, it was a shame so many people (like me) spent money unnecessarily to fix a software problem But, at least Apple diagnosed and fixed the problem. That would not have happened if you had a Samsung phone. Apple does stand behind its products. Maybe not to the degree everybody would like. But they do stand behind them.
In this case, they could have given their support teams a heads up a few months ago that they suspected a software problem and that they might be coming out with a fix soon. That would have let people make better decisions. (And, I suspect that they maybe could have released the fix sooner than they did. They may have taken the problem too lightly.)
It might not be a problem for most users, but not every 6s user is in the same circumstances. People are only going to use the phones more outdoors as they become more rugged and waterproof. They need to work for everyone they sell to.