Apple has pledged to be “clearer and more upfront” with customers in the United Kingdom about the health and performance of iPhone batteries to ensure compliance with consumer law, reports the BBC.
Part of a promise to the UK’s competition watchdog announced today, Apple has committed to continuing to offer clear information to customers about lithium-ion batteries, unexpected shutdowns, and performance management in iOS and online.
Within the pledge, Apple added that if a future iOS update materially changes the impact of performance management when installed on an iPhone, it will notify consumers “in a clear manner” in the release notes for the update prior to installing.
The post on the official UK government website states, “By signing up to undertakings with the CMA, Apple has agreed that it will be bound by them. If it goes on to breach any of the commitments made, the CMA may take action through the courts.”
The move comes after the mass controversy that came when Apple announced in 2017 that it had secretly been deliberately slowing older iPhones with ageing batteries to prevent performance issues. The company quickly launched a reduced $29 out-of-warranty battery replacement service available for anyone with an iPhone 6 or later, and released an iOS update to include new features to check the condition of an iPhone battery.