Apple has released an urgent security update, iOS 17.1, that contains several important bug fixes and security updates.
While many iPhone users were quick to install the update, there are reports claiming that the update destroys battery life, as it drains the charge within hours. Add advertisement
Steps when battery life is diminishing
Experts revealed the steps that must be followed when downloading the update if the user notices a decrease in battery life.
Adrian Kingsley Hughes, a researcher at ZDNet, explained: “Installing a new operating system on an iPhone causes a lot of things to run in the background, from indexing to recalibrating the battery, and this can last for hours or even days.”
He added, according to the Daily Mail: “Not only does this lead to power consumption, but recalibrating the battery can give the impression that the battery is draining more quickly, when in reality this is not the case.”
He continued: “Add to this the dual factor of a lot of app updates occurring after a new release, as well as a lot of new features available that may put more drain on an old phone.”
Check battery health
If you’re concerned about your iPhone’s battery, and it’s been a few days since you updated to iOS 17.1, Kingsley Hughes advises checking the battery’s health.
“If you go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health and the message says ‘this is good for peak performance’, then it’s either just normal things happening, or something is wrong,” he added.
Security reasons
Although battery issues may frustrate users, Apple urges iPhone users to download the update for security reasons.
“This update introduces the ability for AirDrop transfers to continue over the Internet when they exit AirDrop,” she explained.
She noted, “This release also includes improvements to Standby and Apple Music, in addition to other features, bug fixes, and security updates for your iPhone.”
Addresses radiation levels in the iPhone 12
The update also addresses concerns about radiation levels produced by the iPhone 12.
Last month, the tech giant was ordered to stop selling the iPhone 12 in France after tests showed the model produced radiation levels above the EU safety threshold.
Apple has also been asked to repair existing smartphones by updating or recalling iPhones sold in the country.
Jean-Noel Barrot, France’s digital technology minister, played down fears that the levels of radiation detected posed a cancer risk, but the announcement reignited the debate over the safety of mobile phone use.
Apple explained: “iOS 17.1 includes an update for iPhone 12 for users in France to accommodate this specific testing protocol that requires less energy when outside of the body on a fixed surface.”
She noted, “The iPhone 12 will no longer increase the permitted power when it detects an out-of-body condition, for example while sitting at the table.”
