YouTube hammers out battery drain problem with iPhone app in latest update
The iOS YouTube app update issued on Monday rectifies the dramatic battery drain that manifested not only when the app was actively being used to watch videos, but when it was idle in the background as well.
The release notes for version 12.45 of the YouTube app are very short, claiming to only fix the battery drain issue. AppleInsider has confirmed that the app update does fix the severe drain issue -- but reminds users that video watching can still be power-intensive.
YouTube declared that it would fix the problem on Nov. 13 after a bevy of user complaints. Other accounts of the problem noted devices heatingwhile using the app -- but this wasn't universal.
Drain rates varied, though one person claimed that their iPhone X lost 20 percent of its battery in just 30 minutes.
Users could side-step the issue before the update by viewing the content within Safari. Users of the YouTube Kids app seemed to be unaffected by the problem.
The iPhone and iPad YouTube app is free, requires iOS 9.0 or newer, and is a 196MB download.
The release notes for version 12.45 of the YouTube app are very short, claiming to only fix the battery drain issue. AppleInsider has confirmed that the app update does fix the severe drain issue -- but reminds users that video watching can still be power-intensive.
YouTube declared that it would fix the problem on Nov. 13 after a bevy of user complaints. Other accounts of the problem noted devices heatingwhile using the app -- but this wasn't universal.
Drain rates varied, though one person claimed that their iPhone X lost 20 percent of its battery in just 30 minutes.
Users could side-step the issue before the update by viewing the content within Safari. Users of the YouTube Kids app seemed to be unaffected by the problem.
The iPhone and iPad YouTube app is free, requires iOS 9.0 or newer, and is a 196MB download.
Comments
2) Disabling it isn't an issue for me since I've never had the YouTube app installed except back when it was part of iOS. I would simply use the browser, as @neilm suggests.
The McDonald's app is pretty great and you definitely can't do it through the web browser. They have deals/coupons in the app, and let you order and pay with Apple Pay before you even get to the store which can be a time saver.
Anecdote Warning: The morning of Thanksgiving the kitchen was busy with preparing an afternoon meal for 20 people so I said I would run to McDonald's for a breakfast run. Instead of writing down about a dozen orders that I'd have to restate to a McDonald's cashier I just did he order on my iPhone one-by-one, then submitted and payed with Apple Pay. Now, it doesn't actually charge your account or show up on their displays until you get within a short geofence range (maybe 25 meters), but while in the car waiting at the traffic light it noticed I was within range which prompted me to choose Inside or Curbside. If you choose Inside it then asks you if you want to Eat In or Take Out. I choose Curbside. We parked and a couple minutes after that, without ever walking into the store. a couple of employees came out with our large order. It's really pretty slick. I'm a fan.
I don't have any of the other apps you mention, but I do have Netflix, Sling, and Hulu apps so I can understand why someone would have a Discovery Channel app if that's what they watch. I can also see why someone would have a YouTube app if they're Red subscribers that watch an ungodly amount YouTube content (which I honestly can't fathom). The same goes for the Best Buy app, I don't shop there but I do shop at Amazon so I have the app since that's much easier to use in every way.
Your deals/coupons that you say can only be done in the app can easily be done via a regular web browser. Society has dumbed-down the internet to a series of "apps" as opposed to web pages. Many apps just wrap HTML from a (guess...) website and re-package it into an app.
There are definite reasons to build a native app. A large percentage of them have zero reason to be a native app. I for one get really tired of having to enter my username/password on an app, whereas in Safari it remembers my credentials. I find myself having to view my credientials in the Settings app so I can enter it into the app. Frustrating at times.
Look at the AI app. The main app is native, but the forums/comments is still processed in Safari. While I have the AI app, I usually end up viewing it in Safari on my iPhone.
2) How would Touch ID/Face ID for security of 1Password, financial apps, etc. work in Safari on a per URL basis.
3) Sure, there are apps like AI that can be done with Safari and that obviously use movbileSafari to display most content, but you don’t have to use those. I don’t think I’ve even tested the AI app. Other apps, like 1Password use mobileSafari within the app for a secure login and it’s great. I wouldn’t want that to go away.
4) This “control” you mention still happens with websites, with and without ad blockers.
5) Using the cars v. trucks analogy, and there are many things that I would direct certain types of users to use a curated App Store app over a website for ease of use and security.
Also, in iOS 11 app passwords are pulled from the same safari credential store.
If apps are “closed” then they certainly don’t use the battery. Some apps are designed to work in the background and will then, obviously, still take power from the battery if that background task is operating.
Back on topic: like others here, I don’t use the YouTube app and use the website when I ‘need’ to. The thing I find interesting is one of the (supposed) pros of using the app is background audio, which you can’t get in Safari. However, I’ve noticed that if I’ve recently had a YouTube video open in Safari and then get into my car, my iPhone will connect via Bluetooth and I will be listening to the audio from the YouTube video.
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An update: The version of the YouTube app I downloaded on Sunday night is 12.45.13
There is no need to damn google here as many apps have suffered similar issues in the past. Beyond that minimizing your power profile is not a trivial programmming skill.