Updated your iPhone to iOS 9.2.1 and still experiencing battery life problems? For iPhone users, extending battery life is a constant struggle, but in the last couple of weeks, grumbles from iPhone users over battery life problems seem to have ramped up, with many reporting their iPhones suddenly dying even when showing as much as 50 percent charge still remains.
While it’s easy to assume the problem must be related to the latest iOS 9.2.1 update, the issues may actually stem from other sources: freezing temperatures and an unresolved bug in Apple’s mobile operating system.
iPhone Battery Life Problem #1: Freezing Temperatures.
Living in the south, I’m accustomed to the iPhone’s dislike of extreme heat, but I wasn’t aware extreme cold could also have an effect on an iPhone’s battery life. Apparently I’m not the only one who didn’t know that temperatures below freezing could cause an iPhone’s battery to just shut itself down. On Reddit , a number of users have bemoaned the fact that when using their devices in below freezing temperatures, they suddenly turn off making it look as though the battery is completely drained.
Visiting the Apple Support page on acceptable operating temperatures, it clearly states that iPhones should be used in temperatures between 0º and 35º C (32º to 95º F). While the instructions say that both Low- or high-temperature conditions may result in a change of the device’s behavior, it specifically addresses cold weather use:
“Using an iOS device in very cold conditions outside of its operating range may temporarily shorten battery life and could cause the device to turn off. Battery life will return to normal when the device is brought back to higher ambient temperatures.”
If you find yourself in a place where temperatures are frequently below freezing, then there’s a good chance the unexpected battery drain on your iPhone may be the culprit. Unfortunately we don’t have any practical tips for resolving this problem other than to avoid using your iPhone in extreme temperatures.
iPhone Battery Life Problem #2: Unresolved Bug In iOS 9.2.1
Around the launch of the iPhone 6S last fall, users started complaining about a weird battery life problem that would cause their devices to die suddenly even when the battery indicator showed high levels of charge remaining. Taking to Apple support forums , users complained they might look at their phone one minute and it shows a 70 percent charge and then a few minutes later the device went black, needing a full recharge.
About a week ago, Apple finally addressed the issue of unexpected battery drain on iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, stating that it stemmed from a bug in the iOS 9 software that they’ve yet to hammer out.
The problem, the company said , isn’t actually with the battery life; rather, the battery life indicator is freezing and not updating properly.
The issue seems to affect users who manually change the time or time zone on their iPhones. While most of us are happy to leave the time zone set up to Apple, some people who travel manually adjust their devices to keep them on the time zone where they live. Others manually adjust the time on their clocks to cheat mobile games and get freebies based on tricking the game into thinking more time has passed.
Whatever the reason, users who have manually adjusted their iPhones’ time are likely to experience problems with the battery life indicator freezing and giving an inaccurate estimate of charge left.
While Apple is hoping to find a permanent solution to the battery life indicator issue in future firmware releases, for now, it offers this solution:
Go to Settings > General > Date & Time
Make sure that “Set Automatically” is turned on.
If you are experiencing further problems with your iPhone battery life or are looking for general tips and tricks to improve it, be sure to check out our suggestions, here .
Twitter Reacts To iPhone Battery Life Problems:
Does anyone else have problems with their IPhone dying in the cold? Even at high percentages? #replytweet
— Sydney (@Raise_The_Rail) January 21, 2016Winter means my iPhone dying at 50% whenever I step outside. Steve Jobs wouldn't have let this happen
— Brent Murray (@BrentMurrayy) January 20, 2016Anyone else's iPhone dying extremely fast with the new update?
— Kelsey (@KelseyAyers13) January 25, 2016iPhone batteries are a joke, dying every 5 minutes then turning back on with a different percentage each time
— (@xcourtssss) January 21, 2016My iPhone battery has been dying SUPER quickly lately. Is it just me?
— Ellie Johnson (@Efuhjuh) January 23, 2016Can someone tell me why my iPhone has been dying while it's literally on airplane mode I'm so annoyed
— Alyssa Fuller (@LissyyMinaj) January 22, 2016
