After a much-anticipated debut, the iPhone 15 series—especially the upscale iPhone 15 Pro Max dressed in its eye-catching titanium frame—hit store shelves to rave reviews. Yet every big launch has its bumps, and some iPhone 15 owners are already running into the usual suspects: battery drain, overheating, and connectivity hiccups. When you spend top dollar, these worries don't just annoy; they stick out.
Knowing what to expect and how to tackle these quirks keeps the excitement alive. Here's a rundown of the most frequently talked-about iPhone 15 problems and easy steps to sort them out.
1. Battery Life Woes: Drain and Charging Worries
What's Happening: A noticeable wave of owners has noticed their new Apple iPhone 15 running out of juice sooner than they thought. While Apple sold the efficiency hype, the numbers don't line up for some, making this the bellwether issue.
Fixes to Try:
- Software Bugs: The first versions of iOS can pack quirks that mess with power management. Check for the latest iOS update by hopping into Settings > General > Software Update; Apple is quick to roll out fixes that dial in battery life.
- Background Services: Some apps love to update in the background, and that adds up. Head to Settings > General > Background App Refresh and turn it off entirely, or just for the apps that aren't mission-critical.
- Location Features & Privacy Relay: If your phone keeps checking your location a lot, plus you're using Private Relay from iCloud+, it can use extra battery. Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services and set permissions to "While Using" when you can. If you want to see if Private Relay is part of the drain, try turning it off for a bit: Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Private Relay.
- Battery Health & Settings: Check Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging from time to time. Turn on Optimized Battery Charging if you haven't. In the Battery section , look for apps that use a lot of juice so you can cut back. You can save battery by dimming your screen, using Wi-Fi instead of cellular data, and turning off notifications you don't need.
- Initial Setup & Indexing: If you just got the phone or installed a big update, it might feel hot and use more battery for a day or two while it finishes tasks in the background. Wait 48 hours before you worry.
2. Feeling the Heat: Overheating Stories
The Issue: People have noticed the iPhone 15 Pro Max and a few other models get warm when charging, during heavy tasks like gaming, and even when just browsing.
Potential Causes & Fixes:
- Software Bugs (Partially Addressed): Apple acknowledged that some iPhone 15 overheating issues were due to iOS 17 software glitches, not the titanium frame or design. Updating to the latest release, especially iOS 17.0.3 which specifically tackled this, is very important.
- Demanding Apps & Processes: Intensive tasks, like gaming or editing videos, produce extra heat. To cool things down, close background apps, avoid heavy use while the phone is charging fast, and, if things heat up a lot, take off the thick case for a while.
- Faulty Hardware or Restore Method: If the phone still runs hot after the latest updates, there might be a hardware problem. In that case, get in touch with Apple Support. We saw some reports where restoring from an iCloud backup during setup made the phone heat up; doing a full factory reset and setting it up as a new device might fix the issue (just remember to back up first).
3. Staying Connected: Wi-Fi and Cellular Data Woes
The Problem: Some iPhone 15 users notice Wi-Fi that keeps dropping, runs slow, or won't stay connected. A few are having similar issues with cellular data.
Potential Causes & Fixes:
- Basic Resets: Go for the easy fixes first. Turn on Airplane Mode, wait a few seconds, then turn it off. If Wi-Fi is still acting up, forget the network (go to Settings > Wi-Fi, tap the (i) next to the network, then hit Forget This Network), then reconnect. A quick restart of your iPhone and your router/modem can also clear up issues.
- Software Update: Keeping the phone updated is key. Software updates often have fixes for the modem, so check that you're on the latest version.
- Network Settings Reset: This option wipes all saved Wi-Fi and cellular info (go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings). Remember: You'll have to type Wi-Fi passwords again.
- Check Carrier Settings: Make sure these are current (tap Settings > General > About; a new version shows a pop-up if one's waiting).
4. Software Hiccups: Crashes and Glitches
The Problem: Apps freeze, iPhone restarts out of nowhere, or it just won't respond. Folks have mentioned these on Apple Community.
Possible Causes & Fixes:
- Update, Update, Update: The best cure for bugs is to grab the latest software update.
- Force Restart: Master the new restart steps for your iPhone 15. It's usually press volume up, press volume down, and hold the side button.
- App Updates: Check the App Store and update all your apps. An older version can mess things up.
- Free Up Space: If storage is low, the whole system can slow down. Check your space (go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage).
- Factory Reset (Last Resort): If you've tried everything else, back up your data and hit "Reset All Settings" (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset). If issues still hang around, go for "Erase All Content and Settings" and set the phone up new, putting back only the must-have stuff like contacts and photos.
5. Camera Quirks and Other Annoyances
The Problem: You might see a black screen in the camera (often tied to the Action button on Pro models), focus acts weird, or you bump into little bugs now and then.
Quick Fixes:
- Black Camera Screen: Switching the Action button back to photos might not do the trick. Close the Camera app completely, force restart the phone, and then check for an iOS update. If the screen still stays dark, contact Apple Support; it might need a hardware look.
- General Bugs: Again, a force restart or the next software update usually clears these headaches up.
The Bottom Line for iPhone 15 Users
The iPhone 15 series—especially the iPhone 15 Pro Max—is Apple's top-tier phone for 2023. Still, folks who jumped in early might run into a few early bumps. The most talked-about issues with the iPhone 15 so far are battery drain, overheating, and connectivity bumps.
Good news: Most of the iPhone 15 issues are caused by software, not hardware. Apple has already rolled out fixes for overheating and battery drain, and more updates are on the way. Always install the newest software first.
Before deciding to return the phone—like the poster on the Apple Community—try these steps in order:
- Update iOS.
- Limit Background App Refresh and Location Services.
- Go to Settings > Battery and spot any problem apps.
- If Wi-Fi or cellular drops, reset your Network Settings.
- Force Restart.
- Tweak settings to reduce battery load.
For hard faults—like a camera that won't focus or extreme overheating even after updates—get in touch with Apple Support. They know the issues and often provide fixes, replacements, or refunds when necessary.
By keeping the phone updated and adjusting some settings, most iPhone 15 users can sail past these rough patches and fully enjoy the phone's power.
FAQ: iPhone 15 Issues
Q: Is the iPhone 15 Pro Max getting too hot?
A: Apple says the heat's mostly from software (iOS 17) and has sent out updates. Do the updates first. If the phone still heats up a lot—especially during light tasks—contact Apple Support. It might be a hardware problem.
Q: Why is my iPhone 15 battery draining so fast?
A: A few common reasons: apps running in the background (check Background App Refresh), too many Location Services pinging, bright screen, weak signal making the modem work harder, or the phone doing a lot of setup and indexing right after you got it. Open Settings > Battery to see which apps use the most power and install the latest updates to fix bugs.
Q: Should I turn off Private Relay to save battery?
A: It's a good idea to test. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > Private Relay and turn it off for a day. If you notice a clear boost in battery life, you can leave it off or turn it back on only for public Wi-Fi.
Q: My Wi-Fi keeps dropping on my iPhone 15, what can I do?
A: Try the simple stuff first: restart both your phone and your router. Forget the Wi-Fi network and then connect again. If that fails, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset > Reset Network Settings. Also, check for iOS updates.
Q: Where can I check my iPhone 15's battery health?
A: Head to Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. You'll see the maximum battery capacity and whether Optimized Battery Charging is on.