iOS 5 Battery Issues: A Possible Fix

We’ve had reports from users of the iPhone and iPad reporting problems with battery life since upgrading to the latest version of software, iOS 5.

It seems that a significant number of  iOS 5 users have noticed a marked drop in battery life, and we’re getting reports that this may be due to a bug (a.k.a a “feature”) introduced in the last official software release. It looks like the operating system may be using the location services to make power-hungry calls to check the clock.

Possible fix:

A number of sites on the ‘net have been reporting a possible fix, and users seem to be reporting that the fix is making a difference. Here’s the fix:

iOS 5 makes use of the device GPS and Wi-fi location to find out where it is, and uses this to work out what time zone you’re in when you’re roaming. For a high percentage of users, this could be viewed as unneccesary.

• Go to “Settings”
• Go to “Location Services”
• Scroll down to “System Services”
• Set “Setting Time Zone” to “Off”

Before turning it off, you may notice that the little purple location services icon appears next to “Setting Time Zone”, which confirms that the device is indeed using location software, and therefore battery.

If this is indeed a confirmed Apple bug, no doubt a fix will be forthcoming in the form of a new version of iOS 5 – And possibly the first to be sent over-the-air.

Been hit with a low battery? Had any luck with this fix? Please let us know in the comments below!