Some iPhone owners are reporting quick battery drain, but it's not clear why
Users are posting on social media that iOS 18 is causing their iPhone batteries to drain quickly. Historically, it's been temporary and is common with new hardware and a big OS update.
If only the iPhone's battery indicator were this clear
The annual Battery Drain Season is now in full force, as even long-term iPhone users are complaining that their battery charge is dropping quickly after updating to iOS 18. Long-term iPhone users, though, should know that this happened with iOS 17, too.
And also with iOS 16, just as it did with iOS 15, and before that, iOS 14. Looking back through AppleInsider's archive for five minutes, it was easy to see our coverage on iOS 14.
Consumer groups challenged Apple about it, but battery drain after OS updates were surely happening before then.
If you are having your iPhone battery drain faster than normal, the odds are that you upgraded iOS in the last week or two, or got a new iPhone. You may not be actively using the battery, but your iPhone is as it rebuilds databases such as Spotlight.
That's what's happening here, almost all of the time. The iPhone says it has been updated to the latest iOS, but that just means it's installed.
Back in 2022, Apple actually responded to complaints on social media about the draining power of its then-new iOS 15.4. It's perhaps a little generous to call it a response, since it just said the same thing about it taking time for the update to finish.
It was at least a response from the normally quiet company. And it was Apple responding on social media, which practically makes this a Dear Diary moment.
Apple does not read social media, it does not read news. It just goes on its own merry way.
Consequently, right now there are some hundreds of people complaining on Reddit and even Apple's own support forums, and it isn't making a difference. If Apple sees it, they're assuming it's same old, same old, and moving on.
We've been keeping track of this for a long time. We've had a few emails about it, but the volume of those are down. Social media reports are eternal, of course, but those are down too.
Based on our contacts within service, the number of complaints to stores are lower than normal. This doesn't mean that you aren't dealing with it, of course, but it doesn't seem to be a bigger problem in 2024 than it has ever been.
If your battery drain is different, if your battery drain is not within a week or two of an update or a new phone, don't bother with forums. Instead, go straight to Apple and document what happens with their support staff.
That way, If it turns out that there is a hardware fault with your iPhone, you can demonstrate that you reported it.
For you, ultimately, that can make a difference if there is ever a payout from a class action lawsuit over battery faults. More practically, Apple doesn't make a move without actual data.
Lacking that, they won't do a thing.
For when it isn't within week or so, there may be something else wrong and Apple needs a tap on the shoulder. Just as it did in 2023, when Apple ultimately issued a watchOS update to fix unusual battery drain problems in the Apple Watch.
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Comments
Right after I updated to iOS 18, there was a notification in Settings > Battery saying that I should expect increased battery usage for a while due to the update.
I'm used to it now...and each new iPhone (SE, 11 Pro, and 16 Pro) have shown similar behavior. Yet, I've been very happy with each iPhone.