Facebook has said sorry for a problem that made iPhone batteries run out fast. The company also sent a new version of the app that tries to fix the problem.
What happened with Facebook and iPhone batteries?
Many iPhone users noticed that the Facebook app used a lot of battery even when they were not looking at the screen. The battery went down quickly, sometimes in just a few hours.
People reported that the app was doing work in the background. This means the app was active even when it was not open on the screen.
Facebook listened to these reports. The company then posted an apology and explained why the problem happened.
Why did the battery drain happen?
Facebook’s engineering manager, Ari Grant, gave two main reasons.
- Audio session staying open: When a user watches a video and then leaves the app, the sound part of the app sometimes stays on. It acts like the app is still playing sound, even though no sound is heard. This hidden sound activity uses power.
- CPU loop: The app’s code had a loop that kept the phone’s processor busy. It is like a child asking “Are we there yet?” over and over without moving forward. The loop never lets the app fully rest, so the battery keeps draining.
Both issues happen even when the screen is off. That is why users saw a big drop in battery life.
Grant also said that the problem was not caused by location tracking. Turning on location services did not make the drain worse.
Facebook’s response and the new update
Facebook posted a public apology. The post said the company is sorry for any trouble caused.
Grant wrote that a new, overhauled version of the iOS app would bring “some improvements” to battery life. The update was released the same day as the apology.
The company called the fix “partial”. That means the update should help, but it may not solve every case of battery drain.
In the update note, Facebook said the new version would fix the audio session problem and reduce the CPU loop. The note also promised more work on battery performance in future releases.
How can users protect their battery while waiting for a full fix?
Even with the new update, users can do a few things to save battery right now.
- Close the Facebook app completely. Double‑tap the home button (or swipe up) and swipe the app away.
- Turn off Background App Refresh for Facebook. Go to Settings → General → Background App Refresh.
- Disable Autoplay for videos. Open Facebook, tap the three lines, go to Settings → Media and Contacts → Autoplay.
- Check battery usage. Settings → Battery → Scroll to Facebook to see how much power it uses.
- Keep the app updated. Open the App Store and tap Updates regularly.
- Restart the iPhone once a week. A fresh start can clear hidden processes.
If the battery still drains fast, consider using Facebook on a web browser instead of the app until a full fix arrives.
FAQ
Is the battery problem only on iPhone?
Facebook said the issue was found on iOS devices. Android users have not reported the same level of drain, but they should still keep the app updated.
Will turning off location services stop the drain?
No. Grant said the battery drain was not caused by location tracking. Turning off location will not fix the problem.
Will the new update fix the issue completely?
The update is called a partial fix. It should improve battery life, but some users may still see a small drain.
How can I see how much battery Facebook is using?
Go to Settings → Battery on the iPhone. Find Facebook in the list. It shows the percentage of battery used in the last 24 hours and last week.
Conclusion
Facebook admitted that its iPhone app was draining batteries. The company blamed hidden audio sessions and a CPU loop. A new app version promises some improvements, but users should still take steps to protect their battery. Updating the app, closing it fully, and adjusting background settings can help until Facebook releases a complete fix.