Apple Preparing Diagnostic Tool in New iOS Update as iPhone 6s Battery Issue Expands

A few days after issuing a message on its Chinese website regarding the battery shutdown issue plaguing some iPhone 6s users, Apple today added a new message onto the site. The update reiterates on the cause of the issue -- some batteries were exposed to "controlled ambient air" during manufacturing -- while also expanding the scope of the affected range of customers facing the problem.

In the original message, Apple noted that "a small number" of iPhone 6s smartphones made in September and October of 2015 were facing unexpected shutdowns due to their prolonged exposure to controlled ambient air. Now, Apple said that it's discovered a few customers "outside of the affected range" who have also been facing unexpected shutdowns of their iPhone 6s devices.

iPhone-6s-main

A small number of customers outside of the affected range have also reported an unexpected shutdown. Some of these shutdowns can occur under normal conditions in order for the iPhone to protect its electronics. In an effort to gather more information, we are including additional diagnostic capability in an iOS software update which will be available next week. This will allow us to gather information over the coming weeks which may potentially help us improve the algorithms used to manage battery performance and shutdown. If such improvements can be made, they will be delivered in future software updates.

As it continues to face new issues with the "small number" of affected customers, Apple is preparing an iOS update that it said will introduce an "additional diagnostic capability" so the company can gather information and improve its ability to manage the battery performance levels and untimely shutdowns. The update, presumably iOS 10.2, will be made available sometime next week, and Apple mentioned that if any improvements and solutions are discovered thanks to the diagnostic tool, "they will be delivered in future software updates."

For those who think their iPhone 6s is affected, Apple launched a repair program last month offering free battery replacements for any iPhone 6s manufactured between September and October 2015 which are experiencing shutdowns. There's also a new tool so customers can enter their iPhone's serial number to see if it's eligible for the replacement program.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

apple wallet drivers license feature iPhone 15 pro

Apple Says iPhone Driver's Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States

Tuesday July 8, 2025 11:26 am PDT by
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps. Unfortunately, this feature continues to roll out very slowly since it was announced in 2021, with only nine U.S. states, Puerto Rico,...
iphone 16 pro ghost hand

5 Reasons to Skip This Year's iPhone 17 Pro

Thursday July 10, 2025 4:54 am PDT by
Apple will launch its new iPhone 17 series in two months, and the iPhone 17 Pro models are expected to get a new design for the rear casing and the camera area. But more significant changes to the lineup are not expected until next year, when the iPhone 18 models arrive. If you're thinking of trading in your iPhone for this year's latest, consider the following features rumored to be coming...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro to Reverse iPhone X Design Decision

Monday July 7, 2025 9:46 am PDT by
Since the iPhone X in 2017, all of Apple's highest-end iPhone models have featured either stainless steel or titanium frames, but it has now been rumored that this design decision will be coming to an end with the iPhone 17 Pro models later this year. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo today, the account Instant Digital said that the iPhone 17 Pro models will have an aluminum...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

Leaker Reveals Amount of RAM in iPhone 17 Through iPhone 17 Pro Max

Wednesday July 9, 2025 8:08 am PDT by
Three out of four iPhone 17 models will feature more RAM than the equivalent iPhone 16 models, according to a new leak that aligns with previous rumors. The all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max will each be equipped with 12GB of RAM, according to Fixed Focus Digital, an account with more than two million followers on Chinese social media platform Weibo. The...
apple account card feature

Apple Account Card Expanding to More Countries

Tuesday July 8, 2025 7:34 pm PDT by
Apple is expanding the ability to add an Apple Account Card to the Wallet app to more countries, according to backend Apple Pay changes. With iOS 15.5, Apple updated the Wallet app to allow users to add an Apple Account Card, which displays the Apple credit balance associated with an Apple ID. If you receive an Apple gift card, for example, it is added to an Apple Account that is also...
macbook pro blue green

M5 MacBook Pro No Longer Coming in 2025

Thursday July 10, 2025 12:38 pm PDT by
Apple does not plan to refresh any Macs with updated M5 chips in 2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Updated MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models are now planned for the first half of 2026. Gurman previously said that Apple would debut the M5 MacBook Pro models in late 2025, but his newest report suggests that Apple is "considering" pushing them back to 2026. Apple is now said to be...
iOS 26 Feature

Everything New in iOS 26 Beta 3

Monday July 7, 2025 1:20 pm PDT by
Apple is continuing to refine and update iOS 26, and beta three features smaller changes than we saw in beta 2, plus further tweaks to the Liquid Glass design. Apple is gearing up for the next phase of beta testing, and the company has promised that a public beta is set to come out in July. Transparency In some apps like Apple Music, Podcasts, and the App Store, Apple has toned down the...
iCloud General Feature Redux

iPhone Users Who Pay for iCloud Storage Receive These Five Perks

Wednesday July 9, 2025 9:20 am PDT by
If you pay for iCloud storage on your iPhone, did you know that Apple offers you five perks beyond the extra storage space, at no additional cost? Here are the perks included with all iCloud+ plans:Private Relay keeps your Safari browsing history entirely private from network providers, websites, and even Apple. Hide My Email generates unique, random email addresses whenever needed. Hom...

Top Rated Comments

docziandras Avatar
112 months ago
a few customers "outside of the affected range"
...including me and a few other forum members around here with iPhone 6 devices...
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
samcraig Avatar
112 months ago
So two comments.

1. If they were able to backtrack the issue to "ambient air", then isn't is possible they knew that already and let those phones out into the market anyway with fingers crossed?
2. It's always "a few." - Apple really needs to stop using phrases like this as PR spin. It's now become cliche/hyperbole.
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
k1121j Avatar
112 months ago
lol a few.... My 6 does it at around 30 percent then when it turns back on it has higher percent then when it shut off
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bsbeamer Avatar
112 months ago
Wife's phone has this issue and is on the recall list. Brought into an Apple store location over the weekend. They did NOT AT ALL want to do the battery replacement - basically blaming her for the issue by using apps, having location services for certain apps, using the phone to talk... it was pathetic. I flat out said this is on the recall list, it's all the signs that were reported, swap the battery. They reluctantly agreed.

Battery part is on backorder and will be 2-4 weeks before in stock. Then will be a 1-2 hour appointment for them to swap and fix. This should have just been replaced in store with a new phone. Terrible customer service.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
heyjoe23 Avatar
112 months ago
I have a 6s Plus that has this issue, but the program says my serial number is not eligible for the program.

With my phone, the shutdown doesn't happen until it gets down to 10% though. But sometimes, it seems like the battery % drops rather quickly for no apparent reason. I would close all the apps, and not do a thing on it, and it drops from 30% to 10% in about one hour.

I have Apple Care on the 6s Plus, so that should cover it I guess.
I have the same problem, 6s Plus and my serial is not eligible also.

The last few days, my battery drains from 30% down to single digits pretty fast. If I do a hard reset, the phone powers back on with 20-30% battery and lasts for a couple hours. The phone is a month over 1 year old. Not good life for a $700 phone.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Juicy Box Avatar
112 months ago
For those who think their iPhone 6s is affected, Apple launched a repair program ('https://www.macrumors.com/2016/11/20/iphone-6s-shutdown-repair-program/') last month offering free battery replacements for any iPhone 6s manufactured between September and October 2015 which are experiencing shutdowns.
I have a 6s Plus that has this issue, but the program says my serial number is not eligible for the program.

With my phone, the shutdown doesn't happen until it gets down to 10% though. But sometimes, it seems like the battery % drops rather quickly for no apparent reason. I would close all the apps, and not do a thing on it, and it drops from 30% to 10% in about one hour.

I have Apple Care on the 6s Plus, so that should cover it I guess.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)