As previously reported, although many iPhone users experience better battery life after the iOS 4.0 update, a number of users have reported decreased battery life after updating. In addition to our previous roundup of fixes for this issue, it now appears that updating wireless router firmware can have a dramatic beneficial effect on iPhone or iPod touch battery life when the devices are connected to said routers.
AppleToolbox reader Lani Teshim writes:
“I spent the last three weeks working closely with a rep from Apple’s Corporate Executive Relations office to try to figure out exactly what the problem was that was causing the battery on my iTouch 2nd gen to die so quickly ever since I updated the iOS to 4.0/4.1. […] The main culprit they suspected was the firmware on my wireless router. Their suggested fix? Update the firmware. When I updated the firmware on my wireless router, the battery issue was gone. GONE. My iTouch lasts for days with wifi enabled now, just like it did back when I was running iOS 3.1.3.”
To update router firmware, check your router manufacturer’s website, and download and install any new updates for your wireless router.