Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Android 5.1 Update Causes Cell Phone Battery Problems?

Jun 2, 2015 7:58AM PDT

Has anyone else heard of this, and/or has anyone found a fix for it?
The battery life on my LG G2 was just great until the update loaded- now it drains incredibly fast and only lasts about 1/3 of the time it did before. In addition to that, every so often the back of the phone gets very hot.
I called T-Mobile and was told that it is happening to a large number of cell phones from all manufacturers and they are working on an update to fix the problem, but no telling how long it'll be. I was also told that if I got a new phone I would still have the same problems. (too bad- I was thinking about getting an LG G4, but not now!)

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
Tell me how old the battery is.
Jun 2, 2015 8:12AM PDT

The LG G2 shipped in August 2013 so we should start needing to replace batteries. I'm running into folk with 1 to 2 YO phones that are shattered about this area. They didn't know that the batteries are 300 cycle rated so about 18 months per battery then it can get wonky.

If it goes wonky after an OS update they'll blame that.

- Collapse -
Clarification- Battery Age
Jun 3, 2015 12:15AM PDT

I'm not sure how old it is- my original phone developed problems and T-Mobile replaced it with a reconditioned phone. But there were absolutely no problems before the update and when I spoke to T-mobile the guy was very clear that the update was causing battery problems.

- Collapse -
Answer
1. I have a LG G4
Jun 2, 2015 8:09AM PDT

So tell me how to test for this issue.

2. Sorry but my BLU is only on Lollipop 5.0.2.
Anything I can test for you?

3. My Nexus 7 1st Gen is on Lollipop 5.1.1
Again, same question. What can I test for you?
Bob

- Collapse -
(NT) PS. The LG G4 reports Lollipop 5.1
Jun 2, 2015 8:15AM PDT
- Collapse -
Clarification- age of battery
Jun 3, 2015 12:13AM PDT

I'm not sure how old it is- my original phone developed problems and T-Mobile replaced it with a reconditioned phone. But there were absolutely no problems before the update and when I spoke to T-mobile the guy was very clear that the update was causing battery problems.

- Collapse -
Then you have decided what it is.
Jun 3, 2015 12:17AM PDT

I've seen such happen and well, I reset the phone, pop in a new battery and retest.

Moving forward. I have the above units with noted versions. What should I try?
Bob

- Collapse -
OOPS
Jun 3, 2015 2:04AM PDT

Sorry, Bob- please disregard my prior post- I"m new at this and accidentally posted incorrectly- wrong thread.
My apologies!
-Jenny

- Collapse -
No problem.
Jun 3, 2015 2:21AM PDT

Moving forward. I have the above units and don't see any issue. However they are mostly new things, only the Nexus 7 is years old.

It's a shame that this happened and it's been decided it's the 5.x upgrade. I've lost count how many times I pop in a new battery, reset the phone and it's back to getting it's old battery times or better than new. But you're there and have decided.

Again, what test would you like to see on what I have?
Bob

- Collapse -
Answer
go ahead with the lg g4
Jun 3, 2015 6:46AM PDT

battery problems tend to be phone model/carrier specific after some updates. I would go ahead and get the lg g4

a couple of things you can try is to clear the cache and to reset the phone.

To wipe the cache partition, follow these steps:

From the home screen, tap Apps.
Tap Settings.
Tap General tab.
Tap Storage.
Wait for menu options to finish calculating.
Tap Cached data, then OK.
Wait for the Cached data to clear; depending on size it will take several seconds to complete. When complete the storage screen will refresh and cached data will not be listed.