Wierd iPhone battery usage.

[Sawday]

While in the US, using her UK iPhone and sending the occasional whatsapp messages whilst on free wifi hotspots, my wife's phone never used more than 15% charge each day. Today, three hours out of Heathrow and 4 texts later and already battery is down to 65%. Wi-fi is turned off, background updating is turned off. Any ideas as to what's going on? Is this due solely to searching for a phone signal (on the M25/M1?)

 

[pigoo3]

Is this due solely to searching for a phone signal (on the M25/M1?)

This was going to be my first guess (searching for signal). I'm not familiar with the M25/M1 motorways. But I'm guessing they are similar to the highways here in the US…with cellphone towers dotted along to roadway. Maybe there's gaps in the service or maybe something to do with the cell service provider.

Is this iPhone a recent purchase…or did you guys change cellphone service providers recently? If not…is the iPhone's battery use different now than before the trip to the US?

- Nick

 

[vansmith]

Is this due solely to searching for a phone signal (on the M25/M1?)

It could very well be. You might want to check the battery usage (Settings > Battery) and see how much was used for "No Cell Coverage." I see on mine for instance that this accounts for 3% of my usage in the last 24 hours.

 

[Sawday]

No change to provider, phone is a 3 years old 4s. Vansmith - thanks for that info I wasn't aware that 'No Cell coverage' was an option - my 5s has 'low signal' I guess that's the same thing. Interesting stats there - I see that sending just 7 texts ranging from 2 ("OK") to 45 letters has used 21% of battery in the last 24 hours and 'Home and Lock Screen' has consumed 44% - whats that all about!!.

 

[pigoo3]

You might want to check the battery usage (Settings > Battery) and see how much was used for "No Cell Coverage." I see on mine for instance that this accounts for 3% of my usage in the last 24 hours.

Thanks for the tip. Is this on an iPhone? When I go to (Settings > Battery)…there's no "battery" choice.

Thanks,

- Nick

 

[Sawday]

Looks like this is a newer option. I have it on my 5s, but it's not on my wife's 4s with an earlier OS.

 

[vansmith]

Thanks for the tip. Is this on an iPhone? When I go to (Settings > Battery)…there's no "battery" choice.

What version of iOS are you using? In iOS 9.2, this is what I see when I go to Settings > Battery (towards the bottom there, I have a "No Cell Coverage" listing):

 

[pigoo3]

Looks like this is a newer option. I have it on my 5s, but it's not on my wife's 4s with an earlier OS.

What version of iOS are you using? In iOS 9.2, this is what I see when I go to Settings > Battery (towards the bottom there, I have a "No Cell Coverage" listing):

This is what I figured. I have an iPhone 5 with iOS 7. One of these days I'll upgrade!

Thanks,

- Nick

 

[badshoehabit]

My battery frequently says it uses 50% or more in a 24 hour period on Home and Lock Screen. Despite having it set to 'never' enable auto lock, I have to use my password dozens of times a day to access apps. OS 9.2.1 as of today.

Any thoughts?

Solved this - needed to time change setting for 'require password'

 

[Occams Razor]

Phone is roaming perhaps?

I am told roaming is a battery drain. Just a supposition. I am by no means as expert.