iOS 12 is eating my battery!!!

[Nipperserphil]

I'm seeing an improvement on my 6s too since installing 12.1
Need to run this for a few days to really gauge. but so far looks promising!

Despite seemingly holding up well for the first hours, the battery level began to drop quickly again thereafter despite only moderate usage.

I decided to let it run completely flat last night, but once the level reached 1% the phone continued to work all evening. For a laugh I started playing a HD movie from iTunes and left that to run overnight.
This morning the phone was still on (1%) and the movie had played through!!!

After a couple of minutes of use this morning it did finally shut off.

It suspect ios 12 isn‘t really draining the battery, but the battery level indicator is inaccurate.

 

[pkts]

Despite seemingly holding up well for the first hours, the battery level began to drop quickly again thereafter despite only moderate usage.

I decided to let it run completely flat last night, but once the level reached 1% the phone continued to work all evening. For a laugh I started playing a HD movie from iTunes and left that to run overnight.
This morning the phone was still on (1%) and the movie had played through!!!

After a couple of minutes of use this morning it did finally shut off.

It suspect ios 12 isn‘t really draining the battery, but the battery level indicator is inaccurate.

Interesting. I still think battery life is a bit worse for my SE but the indicator is def off. I can browse twitter for 15 min and have it stay at 67% but then in the morning it'll drop from 67% to 55% in 10 minutes. It does this a lot...app updates seem to really make the battery drop.

Weirdly my 2 year older 6 (91% battery health) does this to a less extent than the SE (90% battery health). Still, I do think that 12.1 has improved the battery life over 12...not as good as 10.

 

[Rhino1]

In all honesty I have seen a good improvement after the following;

1. Updating to 12.1 via restore and setting up as new AGAIN
2. Draining the battery right down to 0 using air-plane mode for the last 5% so it really takes it to 0 [no usage at all]
3. Switching phone on again as it always switches on once more after 0% and re-drain with airplane mode [no usage]
4. Charging right up to 100% with no usage at all [airplane mode again]

Although I got one complete cycle count on my battery health, the battery has definitely improved in my case. I cant say how much yet but I'm good to go so far.. I'll probably still replace it at the end of the year but its better for now. Definitely not placebo.

 

[Newjackboy]

When I first got the XS max - battery life was decent. After getting one of the 12.1 public betas (either 4 or 5) - suddenly the battery life became incredible. Literally coming home at end of day with 50% left (when normally it was on 15-20%).

This magic lasted for a couple weeks, and now battery is as it was at the start.

I've never quite understood how this happens.

 

[Rhino1]

When I first got the XS max - battery life was decent. After getting one of the 12.1 public betas (either 4 or 5) - suddenly the battery life became incredible. Literally coming home at end of day with 50% left (when normally it was on 15-20%).

This magic lasted for a couple weeks, and now battery is as it was at the start.

I've never quite understood how this happens.

have you actually tried to see what happens when it gets to the really low numbers. Maybe it will sit there running fine for ages. The percentage indicator could be what's not working perfectly.

 

[dk001]

Something is going on .....
IPP 12.9 G2 ... unplugged it from the charging cable this morning and carried it downstairs.
Made breakfast. Sat down and opened my IPP. As I watched, the battery percentage went from 100% to 95%.
Pulled up the Battery use chart. Keep in mind, other than unplugging it, this device was not used this morning.

Update: attached wrong image. Will attach the correct one shortly...

 

[minimo3]

Replacing the battery did the trick. The battery health was 91% but I requested a replacement. Typically it would be dead by 7pm, today there’s 65% left with similar (if not more) usage. Something about the initial install of iOS 12 throws off the battery calibration and only a new battery fixes it.

 

[badatusernames]

Replacing the battery did the trick. The battery health was 91% but I requested a replacement. Typically it would be dead by 7pm, today there’s 65% left with similar (if not more) usage. Something about the initial install of iOS 12 throws off the battery calibration and only a new battery fixes it.

Would you mind posting a screenshot of your battery usage for the last 24-hours and the last 10-days?
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Replacing the battery did the trick. The battery health was 91% but I requested a replacement. Typically it would be dead by 7pm, today there’s 65% left with similar (if not more) usage. Something about the initial install of iOS 12 throws off the battery calibration and only a new battery fixes it.

Would you mind posting a screenshot of your battery usage for the last 24-hours and the last 10-days?

 

[poktangju]

Replacing the battery did the trick. The battery health was 91% but I requested a replacement. Typically it would be dead by 7pm, today there’s 65% left with similar (if not more) usage. Something about the initial install of iOS 12 throws off the battery calibration and only a new battery fixes it.

did you have to go to the apple store or did you go through website for the new battery...i'm still at 95 health on my battery...didnt think they would replace battery even at 91 health?

 

[Knight3]

did you have to go to the apple store or did you go through website for the new battery...i'm still at 95 health on my battery...didnt think they would replace battery even at 91 health?

I was facing a similar issue wherein the battery would drain nonstop with the screen ON doing nothing. Battery health said 97% and the usual troubleshooting didn't fix it.
They noticed some unusual spikes in the usage from the diagnostics report and offered to replace it for free.
Not sure what's causing this but this particular (12.0.1) update seems to have messed up some sensor and only a replacement seems to fix the issue.

 

[scouser75]

Despite seemingly holding up well for the first hours, the battery level began to drop quickly again thereafter despite only moderate usage.

I decided to let it run completely flat last night, but once the level reached 1% the phone continued to work all evening. For a laugh I started playing a HD movie from iTunes and left that to run overnight.
This morning the phone was still on (1%) and the movie had played through!!!

After a couple of minutes of use this morning it did finally shut off.

It suspect ios 12 isn‘t really draining the battery, but the battery level indicator is inaccurate.

I agree. This morning my battery went from 100% to 96% within 30 minutes with me being on safari for about 10 minutes. About 5 minutes later battery level had gone back to 100%!

Something ain't right for sure!

 

[ilawlin]

The battery on my 6s seemed quite erratic in the first week of upgrade, but it has gotten better since. I mainly use WiFi, and my battery remains at 100 for hours even with WiFi on. Of course, this is when I'm working and don't use my phone. Just thought I'd share this here.

 

[scouser75]

Here's a tip if you are running low on battery... Turn your phone OFF and then back ON! I did that and my battery went from 16% to 23% !!!

 

[Nipperserphil]

Here's a tip if you are running low on battery... Turn your phone OFF and then back ON! I did that and my battery went from 16% to 23% !!!

I have noticed this too, however despite the seemingly quick boost, the level quickly dropped off back to where it was before.

The battery indicator is shot. Maybe software update can fix it, maybe a battery swap out is the only way.

It’s a shame as I didn’t have this issue at all though the iOS 12 betas. It only began to go wrong with the golden master (and then got worse for me with 12.01)

 

[Apple_Glen_UK]

I’ve been reading this thread with interest. I have an iPhone 5S and only upgraded from iOS 10.3.3 to 12.1 the other day. My biggest concern was that I’d see a big change in battery performance but – so far – it’s been the same and if anything, perhaps even marginally better than usual. I take measures to minimise battery usage such as keeping contrast at a reasonably low level, turning off Location Services and Screen Time and I disable Background App Refresh. My phone is definitely quicker and snappier than it was before. I certainly haven’t encountered any of the battery issues I have read about on here and am thrilled with how it is performing.

 

[Knight3]

I have noticed this too, however despite the seemingly quick boost, the level quickly dropped off back to where it was before.

The battery indicator is shot. Maybe software update can fix it, maybe a battery swap out is the only way.

It’s a shame as I didn’t have this issue at all though the iOS 12 betas. It only began to go wrong with the golden master (and then got worse for me with 12.01)

Very likely the battery sensor has gone awry. Try recalibrating the battery meter if you haven't noticed any other inexplicable battery drains.
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Here's a tip if you are running low on battery... Turn your phone OFF and then back ON! I did that and my battery went from 16% to 23% !!!

 

[MarvinHC]

IOS 12 was fine for me, since 12.1 battery drain is terrible (iPhone 7+ with 89% battery health). Really annoying
Just checked with my family: All have the same issue (one with 6+ and one with 6S, both with battery replaced earlier this year).

Something is off!

 

[tridot]

Have you tried powering the phones down since the update? May just be reindexing your file system since the update, I would give it a few days at least before you worry.

 

[MarvinHC]

Have you tried powering the phones down since the update? May just be reindexing your file system since the update, I would give it a few days at least before you worry.

Powered it off and on a couple of times, even did a hard restart but to no avail. Today I also updated my most used apps just in case.... Now I just keep waiting for the next IOS version.

 

[tridot]

You could try a factory reset or take it to an Apple Store and if you're lucky they may swap it out.

 

[jrdatrackstar1223]

I’m glad I’m not the only one experiencing this weird battery drain. Battery has never been great since 11 (didn’t get any better with 12), but I never experienced the chunk percentage drops that I am now experiencing with 12.1. I am using a Verizon SE, battery is 99% health (just dropped from a day ago, phone is probably a few months old).

I can be using the phone at 95% battery, go to another site, and it’ll drop to 93%, then a few secs later drop to like 90%. I’ve tried running as new, DFU restore, etc, only to have it keep happening. I noticed it kind of stops I think if I sign out of iCloud and stay signed out.

 

[Audigy]

I’ve been reading this thread with interest. I have an iPhone 5S and only upgraded from iOS 10.3.3 to 12.1 the other day. My biggest concern was that I’d see a big change in battery performance but – so far – it’s been the same and if anything, perhaps even marginally better than usual. I take measures to minimise battery usage such as keeping contrast at a reasonably low level, turning off Location Services and Screen Time and I disable Background App Refresh. My phone is definitely quicker and snappier than it was before. I certainly haven’t encountered any of the battery issues I have read about on here and am thrilled with how it is performing.

I had my 5S on 10.3.3 too. Just before the release of iOS 12 I tried 11.4.1, which was plain bad both in performance and battery drain. I then tried iOS 12 and despite being better than 11.4.1, it was still far from the 10.3.3 in battery usage. In every update I used the full .ipsw, DFU mode and set up as new. I don´t know what happened in 12.0.1 but the battery usage improved to the 10.3.3's usual if not better. The newer iOS revisions will get slightly heavier as new features are still being added, so I will stay as long as I can on it and avoid the potential extra load.

 

[BrightCanon]

I’m glad I’m not the only one experiencing this weird battery drain. Battery has never been great since 11 (didn’t get any better with 12), but I never experienced the chunk percentage drops that I am now experiencing with 12.1. I am using a Verizon SE, battery is 99% health (just dropped from a day ago, phone is probably a few months old).

I can be using the phone at 95% battery, go to another site, and it’ll drop to 93%, then a few secs later drop to like 90%. I’ve tried running as new, DFU restore, etc, only to have it keep happening. I noticed it kind of stops I think if I sign out of iCloud and stay signed out.

I noticed this today. Dropping two points at a time. I’ve never seen this before. I thought I must be imagining it.

 

[MarvinHC]

I’m glad I’m not the only one experiencing this weird battery drain. Battery has never been great since 11 (didn’t get any better with 12), but I never experienced the chunk percentage drops that I am now experiencing with 12.1. I am using a Verizon SE, battery is 99% health (just dropped from a day ago, phone is probably a few months old).

I can be using the phone at 95% battery, go to another site, and it’ll drop to 93%, then a few secs later drop to like 90%. I’ve tried running as new, DFU restore, etc, only to have it keep happening. I noticed it kind of stops I think if I sign out of iCloud and stay signed out.

Exactly what I see. Going up and down but overall draining quickly. I hope this gets fixed soon, really annoying.
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You could try a factory reset or take it to an Apple Store and if you're lucky they may swap it out.

No way they will swap out a 2 year old phone. Plus it is hard to demonstrate instore...

 

[jrdatrackstar1223]

I have a Genius Bar Appointment but I know they won’t do anything about it. They need to really start testing this closely, how do you have 6 beta cycles and not notice this type of sporadic drain in percentage chunks? Faster drain is one thing to test, based on apps installed and usage, but when you use Safari and see your percentage drop 3-5 at a time within a small timeframe that’s a noticeable problem.