One of the notable changes with iOS 14.5 is iPhone 11 battery recalibration. The new feature gives an updated, more accurate reading of your device’s maximum battery capacity and peak performance capability and can fix unexpected battery drain. And in rare cases, it could lead to a free battery replacement. Follow along for a hands-on look at how iPhone battery calibration works.
Notably, the new iPhone battery recalibration is just for the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and 11 Pro Max, at least for now. The feature first became available in the developer and public iOS 14.5 beta 6 and is now available for everyone with the public release of iOS 14.5.
How iPhone battery recalibration works in iOS 14.5
- Once you install the iOS 14.5 on an iPhone 11, the battery recalibration process starts automatically
- It can take up to “a few” weeks to complete
- It can fix “unexpected battery drain behavior or, in a small number of instances, reduced peak performance capability”
- To check the status, head to Settings > Battery > Battery Health
- You’ll see the new “Important Message” about the recalibration at the top
- “Your battery health reporting system is recalibrating Maximum Capacity and Peak Performance Capability. This process may take a few weeks.”
- The recalibration “will happen over time with regular charge cycles.”
- Apple says you’ll know the process was successfully completed when the alert at the top of the Battery Health section is gone (new Maximum Capacity and Peak Performance Capability will show up)
- If the recalibration finds “significantly degraded” battery health, a battery service message will appear
Free battery replacements, extended warranties, and early results
In a “small number of instances,” Apple says the iPhone battery recalibration won’t be successful and a “new battery service message will appear.” In those rare cases, the message will say, “An Apple authorized Service provider can replace the battery free of charge to restore full performance and capacity.” Apple notes that “this does not indicate a safety issue and your battery can still be used.”
It can take up to “a few” weeks to complete
It can fix “unexpected battery drain behavior or, in a small number of instances, reduced peak performance capability”
“Your battery health reporting system is recalibrating Maximum Capacity and Peak Performance Capability. This process may take a few weeks.”
The recalibration “will happen over time with regular charge cycles.”
Apple also recommends waiting to get an appointment at a store or another authorized provider until the recalibration process is finished.
Finally, warranties may be extended to cover the potentially weeks-long recalibration process and refunds could be possible for those who have previously paid for an out-of-warranty battery service after seeing the “battery health degraded message or experiencing unexpected battery behavior.” In either case, get in touch with AppleCare.
My colleague Benjamin Mayo saw his results come back with the process showing a 4% increase in maximum capacity. However, during the beta period, others have seen their recalibrated capacity drop, and in limited cases, the test may turn up a battery replacement is needed.
Check out a hands-on look at the new battery calibration as well as how the new Siri voices sound in iOS 14.5 in the video below:
My phone has finished its battery calibration (part of iOS 14.5 for 11 series phones).
I went from 86% reported maximum capacity to 90%. So there’s that. pic.twitter.com/g5mttxbkiZ
— Benjamin Mayo (@bzamayo) April 11, 2021
