Apple fixes iOS 15.4 battery-drain issue with software update

Enlarge / The front of the 2022 iPhone SE. (credit: Samuel Axon)

Apple released a small iPhone software update Thursday to address an issue iPhone users have struggled with since iOS 15.4 reached devices. Users took to forums, Reddit, social media platforms, and Apple support channels to complain that their iPhones' batteries were draining unusually quickly after updating to iOS 15.4. With the update, Apple now says the issue is fixed, along with a couple of issues with accessibility features.

Here are Apple's brief release notes for the update:

This update includes the following bug fixes for your iPhone:

• Battery may drain more quickly than expected after updating to iOS 15.4
• Braille devices may become unresponsive while navigating text or displaying an alert
• Made-for-iPhone hearing devices may lose connection within some third-party apps

Thursday's update comes roughly two weeks after the launch of the new iPhone SE and iOS 15.4, which was likely the last major feature update before iOS 16. iOS 15.4 gave users the ability to use Face ID while wearing a face mask, introduced a gender-neutral American English voice for Siri, and added a plethora of new emoji, among other things.

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