Apple promises to be more upfront with iPhone users about battery health and performance

Today’s announcement locks the firm into formal commitments with customers
They'll need to notify people when issuing software updates that may impact use
California-based firm has agreed to do this both for current and future models

Published: 13:54 EDT, 22 May 2019 | Updated: 13:54 EDT, 22 May 2019

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Apple will be more transparent about the iPhone's battery performance.

The California-based company, which is worth $1 trillion, has issued a statement assuring customers they'll be notified of software updates that may affect performance.

It comes as part of a new agreement with Britain's Competition and Markets Authority.

Issues surrounding consumer law concerns with Apple were raised last year after it said iPhone users were not being clearly warned that their phone's performance could slow down because of a software feature designed to manage battery demands.

Making amends: In late 2017, the tech giant caused controversy when it confirmed it had introduced a software feature the previous year which slowed down the performance of older iPhone handsets in order to preserve battery life

Apple has since introduced a range of new information tools and features that explain iPhone battery life and performance, but has now formally agreed with the CMA to continue doing so.

In late 2017, the tech giant caused controversy when it confirmed it had introduced a software feature the previous year which slowed down the performance of older iPhone handsets in order to preserve battery life.

The firm apologised and last year also added a feature which enables users to switch off the performance management tool if they so choose.

At the time, Apple chief executive Tim Cook said: 'Our actions were all in service of the user, I can't stress that enough.

'Maybe we should have been clearer at a point in time but our actions were always the purest.'

Contrite tech: The firm apologised and, last year, also added a feature which enables users to switch off the performance management tool if they so choose

WHAT WAS 'BATTERYGATE'?

In December 2017, Apple was forced to apologise after iPhone users found out that the Cupertino company was ‘throttling’ phones when their batteries degrade.

In an open letter to infuriated customers, the tech giant wrote: ‘We’ve been hearing feedback from our customers about the way we handle performance for iPhones with older batteries and how we have communicated that process. We know that some of you feel Apple has let you down. We apologise.’

By way of apology, Apple reduced the cost of replacing iPhone batteries for models 6 and up to £25 ($29) — £54 ($50) down from their original costs.

Since then, Apple has also added new battery health monitoring tools to its iOS operating system, which allows users to track the health of their device's battery, and has a support page on its website which explains how the iPhone battery and performance are linked.

The CMA acknowledged the steps Apple had taken and said the company had now formally agreed to notify people when issuing a software update if it is expected to impact on the performance of their smartphone.

The announcement said Apple had formally committed to 'provide easily accessible information about battery health and unexpected shutdowns, along with guidance on how iPhone users can maximise the health of their phone's battery'.

The CMA said that by signing up to the agreement, Apple will now be bound by it and any breach found to have been made can lead to action through the courts.