iPad M4 - Offline Video Playback Overheating & Battery Drain
Hi all.
I have an 11" iPad M4 and love it. Although, since I updated to 18.2 I have noticed a significant battery drain & heat generation whenever I am watching offline video in any app: Apple TV app, Netflix App, Peacock App etc.
This issue is so bad that the full battery depletes within 2.5 hours when I'm watching something I've downloaded. The issue only occurs when the iPad is offline and I'm watching a movie/show (e.g. on a plane), if I have wifi, I get no overheating or battery drain acceleration which watching stuff. If I decide to do something else while offline (e.g. reading), the issue goes away as well.
Prior to updating to 18.2 I could go over 10 hours watching my shows offline (I fly very often so was able to pinpoint when it changed). I have updated to 18.2.1 and still have the same problem. I have turned off background app refresh as well as Apple Intelligence neither of which solved it. When I go to "battery" in settings, it shows 100% of the energy is being used by the playback app (e.g. Apple TV app).
I spoke to Apple support and they verified with the remote diagnostics that nothing was wrong with the hardware, and suggested a full wipe and to start fresh without restoring from backup. I did this and still have the issue.
It is worth noting that my language is/was set to UK English so I only got access to Apple Intelligence after 18.2, so I am not sure if this issue would've occurred at 18.0 and is tied to Apple Intelligence (and thus I didn't have the issue as it was blocked for UK English devices until 18.2), or if it really was something in 18.2 that broke it.
I have filed the bug with Apple but if anyone else is having the same issue please let me know because I'm pulling my hair out, and hate having to plug the iPad in to charge whenever I am on a plane.
Thanks!
iPad Pro, iPadOS 18