Apple rolls out fix for iPhone battery drain problem, download iOS 15.4.1 right away

Right after iPhone users updated to iOS 15.4, a nasty battery drain bug soured their experience. According to the users, the battery on their iPhone and iPad would drain rapidly, making them run for a charger in just a few hours. Apple acknowledged the issue for the first time, saying the apps need to adjust to a new software update and in doing so, they end up consuming a lot more power than usual. Now, Apple has rolled out iOS 15.4.1 and iPadOS 15.4.1 updates to fix the battery drain issue among other improvements.

The iOS 15.4.1 brings fixes for some accessibility bugs and enhances the security of the iPhone, besides ironing out bugs that led to the battery drain problem. While a lot of users reported iOS 15.4 degraded the battery life on their iPhone, it is not clear how widespread the issue was. Nonetheless, Apple acknowledged it on Twitter when the account of Apple Support responded to a user's battery drain-related complaint, saying that it is normal for apps to consume more power after a software update.

Apple's solution to the battery drain issue on the iPhone and iPad comes around two weeks after the iOS 15.4 update, which brings one of the most useful features that allows you to unlock the iPhone with a mask on. Available for only the iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 series models, the Face ID while wearing a mask feature would detect the areas around your eyes to recognise you while the rest of the face is hidden under a mask. Apple, however, has said that a full-face scan is always going to be more secure. Anyway, it is a nifty feature that iPhone users will most appreciate, but the plaguing issue of battery drain stopped them from updating to iOS 15.4 - which is a shame.

Apart from a fix for the battery drain issue, the iOS 15.4.1 update brings security fixes for the iPhone and iPad. Apple says there could be exploits underway for the issues the new iOS 15.4.1 update has fixed. So, even if your battery never gave you issues after the iOS 15.4 update, it makes sense to get the latest security update. There are some fixes for accessibility settings, as well, but Apple has not mentioned what the issues were.

How to update your iPhone to iOS 15.4.1

• Go to Settings on your iPhone (iPhone 6s or higher)
• Navigate to General
• Tap on Software Update

If your iPhone has received an update, it will show on the screen with the prompt to "Download & install" it. Make sure your iPhone is connected to the internet and has at least 60 per cent of the battery. Also, do not forget to back up your data before the update.