Updates on an iOS device such as iOS 7.1 update seemed to wipe out battery calibration data. This was partly to be blamed for the many complaints of battery's short life after updates. The device will seem to discharge fast and recharging seems to be a lot faster.

Below are some tips compiled by Save Some Green Web site that might help:

1. Test standby battery life

It is nearly impossible to truly assess your battery life if you also change your usage. If your battery seems to last only half as long, figure out if you do not double your usage. Here's the test. Turn off the device for a few minutes, then check the battery change. If there is no change on standby, you are probably fine and your battery life will return to normal if your usage will. If your device drains fast and this continues even if it is not in use, there is a problem.

2. Check software

  • Check your cell signal. Areas with weak signals can make your smartphone radios screaming away on full power to stay on the network. Good LTE signal is more power-efficient than good 3G signal. But if you're at the edge of LTE, switch to 3G. If you're almost off the grid, turn off the radio unless there is a need of it.
  • Go to the App Store. If your iPhone of iPad got a real problem, then only Apple can fix it by servicing or replacing your device.
  • Restart/reset your device. If you haven't rebooted in a while, give it a try. There could be a rogue process or something else is doing what it shouldn't be doing. A restart can often fix that.
  • Power cycle. Certainly, if you think you're having problems, you should completely drain your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad's battery. Drain it until it shuts down on its own. Recharge the device and re-calibrate the battery indicator and you'll get a more realistic idea of what your levels are. You can solve by either swapping it for another device or otherwise figuring out a fix.

3. Restore device as new. One major cause of battery life problems with iOS devices is when they are restored from backup and not set up as new devices. This is the nuclear option. You will have to set up absolutely everything again, and you will lose all your saved data like game levels. But you will have a much better battery life.

4. Turn off unused apps. Anything active in your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad uses up the battery. The more you turn off some unnecessary features will give you longer battery life. It's a balancing act but can really help you to stay online when you really need to. You may turnoff the following features:

  • Background app and content refresh
  • Siri's Raise to Speak
  • Location Services
  • Push Notifications
  • Notification Center widgets
  • Spotlight indexing

5. Turn to Airplane Mode

Put your iPhone or iPad in Airplane Mode and save the radios when you need them. If needed, you can turn off your device until you need it. If you need more help or a more personalized help, with trouble shooting your iOS 7.1 battery life problems, go to the iMore forums.