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Jtexh

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Dec 9, 2022
3
0
Hey so every since I updated to iOS 16.1, on my iphone 13 the battery has frequently experienced sudden drops of 3-4% when left in idle for several minutes. I have done everything from a resetting all settings to a total iOS reinstall but to no avail and this sudden drop in battery still happens. For example I left it at 93% this morning and about a minute later, it was at 89%. Has anyone else experience this before or have an idea of what this is. It started in iOS 16.1 and carried over to iOS 16.1.2
 

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To try to pinpoint what’s causing the problem, try turning off cellular and wifi overnight & see what happens. Bet it doesn’t drain much at all
 
Thr same for me! iPhone 13. I notice that the percentage of battery does not drop by even 1% even for more than 15 minutes from the screen on while I use it and then drops 3% during idle! It looks like an incorrect/bad handling of the refresh battery percentage introduced by iOS 16. I'm trying to recalibrate the battery without fixing it
 
I suggest a battery recalibration. Admittedly, it’s not a guaranteed fix but it only goes to help improve charge level and battery health estimate accuracies.

1. Use your iPhone until it automatically powers off.
2. Charge iPhone to 100%.
3. Use until automatic power off again.
3. Charge to 100% again.

This somewhat shorter method should also be enough.

1. Charge your iPhone to 100%.
2. Use the iPhone until it automatically powers off.
3. Charge to 100% again.

Basically, perform at least one uninterrupted charge cycle.
 
I suggest a battery recalibration. Admittedly, it’s not a guaranteed fix but it only goes to help improve charge level and battery health estimate accuracies.

1. Use your iPhone until it automatically powers off.
2. Charge iPhone to 100%.
3. Use until automatic power off again.
3. Charge to 100% again.

This somewhat shorter method should also be enough.

1. Charge your iPhone to 100%.
2. Use the iPhone until it automatically powers off.
3. Charge to 100% again.

Basically, perform at least one uninterrupted charge cycle.
Yes I'm doing it.. I don't think it will fix the problem. I'll update you
 
For what it’s worth, I have also been seeing abnormal battery drain on my iPhone 13 Pro running 16.1.2 the last couple of days.

My phone would lose 2-3% battery every few minutes while I was doing things I typically do — using Messages or browsing in Safari with moderate screen brightness. My phone was losing ~10% battery per hour when the screen wasn’t in use and it was also staying consistently warm in my pocket. I did a hard reboot a couple of times over the past couple of days and the issue persisted. I started keeping an eye on battery stats and nothing was reported to be using excessive battery — until this afternoon.

This will surprise no one on MR, but Facebook was suddenly at the top of the battery usage app list despite the app not being opened recently. I went ahead and deleted the Facebook app and, fingers crossed, my battery drain issue seems to have gone away.
 
Apple and other members say not to do this anymore. With the technology in these newer batteries doing this is not needed and they say could be harmful.

James
 
I suggest a battery recalibration. Admittedly, it’s not a guaranteed fix but it only goes to help improve charge level and battery health estimate accuracies.

1. Use your iPhone until it automatically powers off.
2. Charge iPhone to 100%.
3. Use until automatic power off again.
3. Charge to 100% again.

This somewhat shorter method should also be enough.

1. Charge your iPhone to 100%.
2. Use the iPhone until it automatically powers off.
3. Charge to 100% again.

Basically, perform at least one uninterrupted charge cycle.
Apple and other members say not to do this anymore. With the technology in these newer batteries doing this is not needed and they say could be harmful.

James
 
Update — Well, a few hours after deleting the Facebook app, my phone has started to get warm again while I’m not using it and the abnormal battery drain has started again. I guess I can’t blame this on Facebook, after all. Here’s hoping 16.2 fixes this issue for us.
 
Last edited:
Apple and other members say not to do this anymore. With the technology in these newer batteries doing this is not needed and they say could be harmful.

James
Source?

Apple removed articles about battery recalibration beyond iOS 14.5 update notes but, to my awareness, has not stated anything alarming about the action/process.

Recalibration not being necessary is true, although, it’s not useless:


On a related note, the problem of “deep discharge” is also improperly brought forward and exaggerated:


• Most modern devices automatically power off far before ‘zero’ charge
— For example, this is how an iPhone can display the low battery, connect to charger, and other icons for many hours following an auto shut down.
• With the previous point in mind, a device would need to be left uncharged for a long period (probably days or even weeks) before it would ever reach a truly zero charge level because, of course, the rate of discharge decreases significantly when the device is “powered off”/shut down.

Furthermore, Apple’s (chosen) battery and power management controllers are able to recover a battery at low voltage state.

Apple said:
Depending on how long you store your device, it may be in a low-battery state when you remove it from long-term storage. After it’s removed from storage, it may require 20 minutes of charging with the original adapter before you can use it.

Basically, the false warning (i.e., misinformation) is (as usual) from people mistakenly applying outdated, speculated, or originally fictitious info/data/claims.

I hope that helps. :)
 
Last edited:
Source?

Apple removed articles about battery recalibration beyond iOS 14.5 update notes but, to my awareness, has not stated anything alarming about the action/process.

Recalibration not being necessary is true, although, it’s not useless:


On a related note, the problem of “deep discharge” is also improperly brought forward and exaggerated:


• Most modern devices automatically power off far before ‘zero’ charge
— For example, this is how an iPhone can display the low battery, connect to charger, and other icons for many hours following an auto shut down.
• With the previous point in mind, a device would need to be left uncharged for a long period (probably days or even weeks) before it would ever reach a truly zero charge level because, of course, the rate of discharge decreases significantly when the device is “powered off”/shut down.

Furthermore, Apple’s (chosen) battery and power management controllers are able to recover a battery at low voltage state.



Basically, the false warning (i.e., misinformation) is (as usual) from people mistakenly applying outdated, speculated, or originally fictitious info/data/claims.

I hope that helps. :)


Here is one thing on Apple discussion board.


And here is something from Apple toolbox



James
 
Here is one thing on Apple discussion board.


And here is something from Apple toolbox



James

I’m a battery/efficiency hobbyist - I prefer to follow credible/corroborating scientific research over a random blogger, YouTuber, or ‘journalist.’ Mostly good info in those links, but IMHO, also some really bad advice too.

After 3yrs, my XR started consistently shutting down @14%, so I went to BattUniv for recalibration advice. A single full discharge/charge cycle fixed it perfectly. For unexpected shutdowns, AppleToolBox instead suggests ‘these can all be fixed by restoring your device?’ - way too much of a PITA for me.

Lots of myths state low low states of charge are harmful batteries, and while that may be true in long-term storage situations (where self-discharge eventually depletes below critical minimums), it’s just not a factor for daily use devices, esp. with manufacturer’s built-in safety margins. Scientific research (eg, link1 and link2), seems to indicates the lower you can go, the better, with <60% as the stress-free zone and rendering cycle count essentially moot.

The last paragraph from the Apple discussion blogger suggesting that a plugged-in 80% SoC is a good trade-off to save ~20 cycles/yr (ie 5% overnight batt depletion) is laughable. Sure idle overnight at 80% is better than 100%, but it’s still in the batt stress zone. Idle <60% is far better and can be automated with cheap light timers, smartplugs, and/or usb dongles.

Does this stuff actually work?
Anecdotally, here’s my 3yo XR and 10yo 5 still capable of 100% and 60% Apple ‘upto’ SOT spec. To put that in perspective, see how many new 14-series can achieve 60% Apple spec.

(Also both articles recommend Apple’s ‘Optimization’ - IMHO, this feature is net detrimental to the battery and more of a ploy to use your phone/batt as an AirTag crowdsource beacon… but hey, that’s just my conspiracy theory.)
 
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I’m a battery/efficiency hobbyist - I prefer to follow credible/corroborating scientific research over a random blogger, YouTuber, or ‘journalist.’ Mostly good info in those links, but IMHO, also some really bad advice too.

After 3yrs, my XR started consistently shutting down @14%, so I went to BattUniv for recalibration advice. A single full discharge/charge cycle fixed it perfectly. For unexpected shutdowns, AppleToolBox instead suggests ‘these can all be fixed by restoring your device?’ - way too much of a PITA for me.

Lots of myths state low low states of charge are harmful batteries, and while that may be true in long-term storage situations (where self-discharge eventually depletes below critical minimums), it’s just not a factor for daily use devices, esp. with manufacturer’s built-in safety margins. Scientific research (eg, link1 and link2), seems to indicates the lower you can go, the better, with <60% as the stress-free zone and rendering cycle count essentially moot.


The last paragraph from the Apple discussion blogger suggesting that a plugged-in 80% SoC is a good trade-off to save ~20 cycles/yr (ie 5% overnight batt depletion) is laughable. Sure idle overnight at 80% is better than 100%, but it’s still in the batt stress zone. Idle <60% is far better and can be automated with cheap light timers, smartplugs, and/or usb dongles.

Does this stuff actually work?
Anecdotally, here’s my 3yo XR and 10yo 5 still capable of 100% and 60% Apple ‘upto’ SOT spec. To put that in perspective, see how many new 14-series can achieve 60% Apple spec.

(Also both articles recommend Apple’s ‘Optimization’ - IMHO, this feature is net detrimental to the battery and more of a ploy to use your phone/batt as an AirTag crowdsource beacon… but hey, that’s just my conspiracy theory.)
Everyone’s mileage may vary. Never had a single issue with my last 4 iPhones. Never had to calibrate anything.

I believe and I’m not positive but even Apple specialist’s say not to do this. But every can do what they wish.

James
 
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