Skip to main content

Techfullpost

iPhone 16 Users Report Significant Battery Drain Issues

Iphone16users

Some iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro users are reporting issues with unexplained battery drain, as noted in discussions on Reddit, Apple Support Communities, and MacRumors forums. While many complaints center on the iPhone 16, similar problems have been observed in older iPhones running iOS 18.

Battery Drain Concerns on iPhone 16 Models

The MacRumors forum has a long-running thread on iOS 18 battery life issues that began during the beta testing phase. However, after iOS 18 was officially released and the iPhone 16 series launched, a new wave of users has expressed frustration over excessive battery drain.

Many iPhone 16 users have noticed significant power loss, even when their devices are idle. One MacRumors user said:

“I have the iPhone 16 Pro, and the battery drops to 60% from 100% by midday, with minimal use. It definitely needs to be fixed—I should have kept my 15 Pro!”

A similar complaint came from a 16 Pro Max user:

“I upgraded from the 15 Pro Max to the 16 Pro Max, hoping for better battery life. Unfortunately, I’m only getting 50-60% of the battery life compared to my year-old 15 Pro Max, even with all settings optimized for battery efficiency.”

Standby Mode Problems

For many users, the battery drain seems to occur primarily in standby mode when the phone is not in use. One user found that disabling features like the Always On Display (AOD) and ProMotion (which adjusts the refresh rate to 120Hz) helped reduce some of the background activity but didn’t fully fix the issue. They shared:

“Despite turning off AOD and ProMotion, my phone still drained from 70% to 59% in just over four hours. Clearly, something is wrong on Apple’s end.”

Other users have noticed rapid battery loss within minutes of unplugging their phone, even with minimal activity.

Comparing iPhone 16 with Older Models

image 41

Some users have compared their iPhone 16 Pro to older models like the iPhone 14 Pro. In one case, a Reddit user claimed that, with the same usage, the iPhone 16 Pro dropped to 58% battery in 36 hours, while the iPhone 14 Pro remained at 85%.

Many affected users have tried various troubleshooting steps, such as disabling background refresh, turning off the Always On display, or even resetting their phones. While some have seen slight improvements, others continue to experience severe battery drain.

Possible Solutions and Updates

Some users have noticed slight improvements after updating to iOS 18.0.1 or testing the iOS 18.1 beta. However, the battery issues persist for many, suggesting there may be an underlying bug in iOS 18 that needs further attention from Apple.

Until Apple releases a more comprehensive fix, iPhone 16 users will have to cope with these battery drain problems and hope for a solution in future software updates.

ADVERTISEMENT
RECOMMENDED
NEXT UP

Apple has quietly rolled out a major update to its App Store experience, officially launching a fully redesigned web-based App Store that allows users to browse and discover apps across all Apple devices from a single online hub. The move, first spotted by MacRumors and 9to5Mac, marks a significant expansion of Apple’s ecosystem — bringing the App Store’s signature design and features to the browser for the first time.

According to the company, it now has a modern, app-store-like interface that looks similar to the App Store on iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other products. The domain was previously used as a holding place that hosted static information about apps or redirected users to in-device App Store pages.

A Centralized Experience Across All Apple Platforms

image 5

The new update allows them to easily search through apps across device categories like iPhone, iPad, Mac, Vision Pro, Apple Watch, and even Apple TV. Each section provides curated app lists, editorial recommendations, and Apple’s popular “Today” tab to show off featured apps, developer spotlights, and trending downloads.

The interface also allows users to browse applications based on their categories, such as Productivity, Entertainment, Games, Education, and Health & Fitness, and provides a much more streamlined and searchable experience than in the past.

Search, Share, and Explore — But Not Download

While this new web-based App Store does introduce better navigation and search, Apple is retaining control over where the downloads actually happen: users cannot install apps directly from the web version of the store. Instead, the website offers quick options to share listings of apps or open them directly in the native App Store app on an Apple device.

This is a design choice in concert with Apple’s long-term ecosystem strategy: making sure all app installations continue to go through its official App Store infrastructure, where the company can enforce strict privacy, payment, and security controls.

Smarter Search Portal for Developers and Users

Another welcome improvement: A prominently placed search bar finally allows users to quickly find apps by name, category, and even developer. Apple’s web app pages were previously static, unindexed, and generally inaccessible unless directly linked to a page.

Now, with an interface that is entirely searchable, this latest Web App Store serves dually as a marketing tool for developers and a place of discovery for users, maximizing app exposure to bring developers’ creations in front of larger audiences outside of Apple’s devices.

Expanding Apple’s Ecosystem Online

Apple’s extension of the App Store’s web presence also comes at a time when regulators and users are increasingly pressing for more openness and accessibility across all digital platforms. In creating this new, more interactive web presence, Apple seems to be taking steps toward greater transparency and discoverability, if still through a tightly integrated ecosystem.

The update also comes amidst Apple’s growing focus on cross-device experiences – especially as it promotes new platforms like Apple Vision Pro, which integrates apps across immersive and traditional interfaces.

Looking Ahead: Apple’s Strategy in a Changing App Landscape

The launch of the web App Store might seem like a minor revision, but it shows that Apple is taking a long-term view to elevate discovery and engagement of apps beyond its hardware. By opening the App Store to any browser, Apple enhances the user experience and reinforces its developer ecosystem by providing greater visibility and traffic to millions of applications without compromising strict app distribution policies. This latest move by Apple strikes a careful balance between innovation, control, and accessibility in a world of rapidly evolving digital ecosystems and increasing regulatory pressures. This is where the App Store, as the linchpin of the Apple experience, is now more connected than ever.

Signal has rolled out a critical privacy-focused update for its Windows app, introducing a “screen security” setting that prevents the system from capturing screenshots—directly countering Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature.

This move reinforces Signal’s commitment to user privacy, ensuring sensitive conversations remain protected even against AI-powered background surveillance. Here’s everything you need to know.


Why Signal Is Blocking Windows Screenshots

Microsoft Recall: A Privacy Concern

Microsoft’s Recall feature (announced in 2023) continuously captures and stores screenshots of user activity, allowing Windows 11 users to “scroll back in time” and revisit past actions.

Despite Microsoft pausing Recall’s rollout after backlash, the company reintroduced it in April 2024 via the Windows Insider Preview Channel with key changes:
✔ Opt-in requirement (users must enable it manually)
✔ Pause functionality (temporary deactivation)

However, Signal argues that Recall still poses risks:
🔴 Potential exposure of sensitive chats (even if encrypted)
🔴 Lack of granular app-level control (Recall captures everything by default)

How Signal’s “Screen Security” Works

When enabled, this setting:
✅ Blocks Windows from screenshotting Signal’s window (shows a blank screen instead)
✅ Prevents Recall from storing private conversations
✅ Maintains end-to-end encryption integrity

⚠ Trade-off: Some accessibility tools (like screen readers) may not function properly with this setting active.


How to Enable (or Disable) Signal’s Screen Security

Step-by-Step Guide

  1. Open Signal Desktop
  2. Go to Settings > Privacy > Screen Security
  3. Toggle “Block screenshots” (enabled by default)

🔹 Disabling the feature requires confirmation (to prevent accidental deactivation).
🔹 A warning appears reminding users of potential privacy risks.


Signal’s Critique of Microsoft’s Approach

In a blog post, Signal expressed frustration with the need for such workarounds:

“We hope that AI teams building systems like Recall will consider these implications more carefully. Apps like Signal shouldn’t need a ‘one weird trick’ to protect user privacy—developers deserve better tools.”

Key Issues with Recall

🔸 No API for apps to opt out (forcing manual workarounds like Signal’s)
🔸 Potential security vulnerabilities (stored screenshots could be accessed by malware)
🔸 Privacy vs. convenience imbalance (users may not fully understand the risks)


What This Means for Windows Users

image 25

✔ Signal users gain stronger privacy protection against Recall.
✔ Other encrypted apps (like WhatsApp, Telegram) may follow suit.
✔ Microsoft faces continued scrutiny over AI-powered surveillance features.

Should You Disable Recall Entirely?

If privacy is a priority:

  1. Avoid enabling Recall (if using Windows Insider builds).
  2. Use Signal’s screen security for encrypted chats.
  3. Monitor future Windows updates for improved privacy controls.

Final Verdict: A Necessary Move for Privacy

Signal’s update highlights the growing tension between AI convenience and user privacy. While Microsoft positions Recall as a productivity tool, its always-on screenshotting raises legitimate security concerns.

By proactively blocking Recall, Signal sets a precedent—tech companies must prioritize privacy by design, not as an afterthought.

ADVERTISEMENT
Receive the latest news

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter

Get notified about new articles