iPhone users are in turmoil after the discovery of a ‘sneaky’ feature that slows down charging.
The feature, called Clean Energy Charging, was quietly added in the iOS 16 update and limits charging when “clean energy” isn’t being used.
Users believe the tech giant quietly added it “to trick them” into buying new iPhone models while their device was taking a long time to charge, while others suggest Apple “dictates how they use their $1,000 phones.”
Clean Energy Charging is currently only available in the US, where it’s enabled by default on iPhones, but luckily it can be turned off with a simple button in Settings.
Apple “sneaked in” the feature with the October iOS 16 release in the US, which has already suffered two security flaws.
The new feature is called Clean Energy Charging and it’s enabled by default, but users can slow it down with a simple push of a button
“The most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen!” Some believe the feature is Apple’s way of getting people to upgrade their iPhones
Since downloading the latest operating system, users have noticed that their iPhones are taking longer to boot up.
Bernardo Magri, a frustrated iPhone user, tweeted, “This clean energy charging feature on the iPhone is the most ridiculous thing I’ve seen lately.
“Apple pretends to care about the environment while purposely slowing down older devices to force people to upgrade, creating a pile of electronic waste.”
Another user wrote, “Wow… I was thinking maybe I need a new charging cord or my port was messed up?”
Tim Latimer, CEO of Fervo Energy, said: “I’m glad Apple is working on dynamic charging to move to a low carbon hour.
“BUT the way they rolled it out isn’t great. Limited prominence, default position is logged in.
‘We should demand more transparency and choice for clean energy solutions, otherwise it will backfire.’
And another user who also noticed the activated feature tweeted, “Woke bs continues.”
MailOnline has reached out to Apple for comment.
Users are more frustrated that Apple didn’t publicly announce the feature, but quietly snuck in – leaving them wondering why their device is charging so slowly
‘Sneaky’: Some wished the tech giant was more transparent about the new feature, which was quietly described in the fine print at the bottom of a press release last September
Another iPhone user said she thought she had to buy new Apple equipment when charging was slower than before
One user called the update “awakened” because of Apple’s apparent commitment to fighting climate change – although in reality it could be that Apple just wants to persuade users to buy a new iPhone
Apple mentioned Clean Energy Charging in the fine print of a September press releasebut many iPhone users are only now discovering that it exists.
Some wished the tech giant was more transparent about the feature, as users who didn’t know why their phone was charging correctly may have bought a new iPhone.
Clean Energy Charging aims to reduce the iPhone’s carbon footprint by optimizing charging times for when the grid uses cleaner energy sources.
“Clean energy charging is only possible where you spend the most time and regularly charge your iPhone for extended periods of time, such as at home and at work.
“The feature won’t turn on if your charging habits are variable or if you’re in a new location, such as when you’re traveling.”
To deactivate clean energy charging, go to settings, tap on ‘Battery’, then ‘Battery status and charging’ and turn off the switch labeled ‘Clean energy charging’.
Apple’s iOS 16 has brought many problems; in February, the tech giant rolled out a terrible update to patch vulnerabilities.
One of the problems is in Webkit, a Safari browser engine that allowed bad actors to run arbitrary code on an iPhone, and Homeland Security believes it may have been exploited.
The second vulnerability in Kernel could allow an attacker to seize privileges, but the tech giant is unaware that this has been used.
It’s unclear how long the vulnerabilities will plague devices.
And last week, two more vulnerabilities were identified by privacy experts.
While another user pointed out that Apple’s production of iPhones has a greater environmental impact than customers who charge them
‘Green Agenda’: However, the fact that Apple was so quiet about the update suggests you can turn off Clean Energy Charging with a simple button switch
The latest discovery allows cybercriminals to bypass security and run malicious code to access users’ images and messages, along with the address book and calendar.
There are several ways to protect your personal information from hackers lurking in the shadows, such as using only trusted apps in the App Store and not opening messages from unknown users.
Apple recently added the new vulnerabilities to its product security updates page and is urging users to download iOS 16.3.1 to fix the issues.
VPNOverview privacy experts shared news of the vulnerabilities, CVE-2023-23520 and CVE-2023-23531, which allow attackers to bypass this cryptographic signing process and extract malicious code from the shielded security sandbox.
Apple will SHUT DOWN the physical volume and power buttons in the iPhone 15 in favor of haptic controls, rumors suggest
Leaked renders of the upcoming iPhone 15, which won’t be unveiled until the fall, show some major design changes over last year’s iPhone 14.
iPhone 15 has a thinner bezel, thicker camera bumps, more curved edges and haptic side buttons operated by touch rather than physical buttons, the renders show.
The new phone also has a USB-C charging port instead of a Lightning port, due to recent legislation passed by the European Union.
iPhone 15 features thinner bezel, thicker camera bumps, more curved edges and haptic buttons controlled by touch rather than physical buttons, leaked renders reveal
The new renders, obtained by 9to5Macare computer-aided design (CAD) files that are given to third-party iPhone case manufacturers prior to device launch.
The upcoming iPhone 15 will reportedly be the first iPhone without physical buttons on the side, used to power off the device, control volume, take screenshots, activate Siri, and more.
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