Flow app on iPhone. Battery suck

[jxrx]

So I thought what the hell let’s see what it’s like to have the flow app running on the iPhone for a ride. I had a quadlock phone case so bought a cheap quad lock out front mount (on sale) to try out.

3hrs and it sucked my iPhone battery pretty much dry. From like 95% down to like 10%.

That’s just useless! The phone is first aid to call for help and app only lasting like 3hrs without navigation running means it’s useless.

Anyone else has other experience?
Was kind of hopeful but now feels like a waste

 

[JP-NZ]

If you weren't using navi then what information is shown on the iphone?

 

[jxrx]

If you weren't using navi then what information is shown on the iphone?

I had the cadence and watts screen up. Yes it was tracking my ride though but I didn’t have the maps screen up. Either way strava app can track my ride and not drain battery in 3 hours.

 

[JP-NZ]

I had the cadence and watts screen up. Yes it was tracking my ride though but I didn’t have the maps screen up. Either way strava app can track my ride and not drain battery in 3 hours.

If you really want a screen to display that sort of thing, then get a Kiox 300 or similar.

 

[jxrx]

If you really want a screen to display that sort of thing, then get a Kiox 300 or similar.

Whole point was I will only occasionally use this e.g. for big days in new areas where I might be following a GPX track I downloaded and need to see it on the phone. Thought I'd see how effective the flow app was. Turns out it's not.
So I'll stick with using komoot for example.

I 100% do not want a KIOX up front on my strive on and like the simple integration as standard

 

[RustyIron]

Anyone else has other experience?

I've found the Flow App to be very frugal with battery usage on my iPhone 14 Pro. Recording with Strava used a lot more battery and had occasional reliability glitches, so I went to Flow exclusively. I don't use the iPhone for navigation, only for recording the ride.

 

[jxrx]

I've found the Flow App to be very frugal with battery usage on my iPhone 14 Pro. Recording with Strava used a lot more battery and had occasional reliability glitches, so I went to Flow exclusively. I don't use the iPhone for navigation, only for recording the ride.

Hmm interesting. I actually track my rides using my GARMIN watch. So don’t need to do it on the phone. Still surprised me how much the flow app sucked my battery. Did you have the screen showing all the time? I think maybe that was the issue.

 

[Anders]

Hmm interesting. I actually track my rides using my GARMIN watch. So don’t need to do it on the phone. Still surprised me how much the flow app sucked my battery. Did you have the screen showing all the time? I think maybe that was the issue.

I don't have an IPhone, but I guess it's not the Flow app as such, it more the fact that you use the screen all the time. At least on my Huawei Android phone, using the screen is what really sucks the battery empty. I use the Flow app for tracking all my eBiking activities (have to, since I'm also using the eLock), but keep the phone in my pocket and rarely looks at the display. Can't say the Flow app seems to use more battery than other comparable apps. However, I get a warning from time to time, saying that the Flow app uses battery since it polls the bluethooth quite often, to try to connect to the bike (when not using the eBike).

 

[jxrx]

I don't have an IPhone, but I guess it's not the Flow app as such, it more the fact that you use the screen all the time. At least on my Huawei Android phone, using the screen is what really sucks the battery empty. I use the Flow app for tracking all my eBiking activities (have to, since I'm also using the eLock), but keep the phone in my pocket and rarely looks at the display. Can't say the Flow app seems to use more battery than other comparable apps. However, I get a warning from time to time, saying that the Flow app uses battery since it polls the bluethooth quite often, to try to connect to the bike (when not using the eBike).

Yeah I’ll try it without screen but that sort of defeats the purpose of having so many “riding display” features in the app. Would rather they just allows Garmins to connect as a head unit instead

Still a fun experiment

 

[RustyIron]

Did you have the screen showing all the time? I think maybe that was the issue.

The screen on the phone is off. It's either in my pocket or a pouch on my Camelbak. In other situations, I find if I'm running an app that keeps the screen on, and I forget about it, the battery drains dramatically faster.

 

[Anders]

Yeah I’ll try it without screen but that sort of defeats the purpose of having so many “riding display” features in the app. Would rather they just allows Garmins to connect as a head unit instead

Still a fun experiment

I guess this is why Bosch sells the SmartPhoneGrip. I have never seen it, but is seems to be a phone holder that is able to charge the phone via a connection or wirelessly.

 

[jxrx]

I guess this is why Bosch sells the SmartPhoneGrip. I have never seen it, but is seems to be a phone holder that is able to charge the phone via a connection or wirelessly.

only if the holder is already somehow wired into the Bosch system, which mine isn't

 

[Giff]

Try unchecking Background App refresh if it is checked.
It may make a difference to battery useage and should still work the app….maybe a bit slower to update?

 

[ValActionT 750]

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Yeah I’ll try it without screen but that sort of defeats the purpose of having so many “riding display” features in the app. Would rather they just allows Garmins to connect as a head unit instead

Still a fun experiment

You can also try dimming the screen. The brighter, the power is being used. Change your background from white to dark also will help too. Obviously turn off any apps that refreshing constantly. You can even turn off “cellular” saving it for emergencies/calls.
I’m not having issues, but then my iPhones in my pocket.

 

[jxrx]

I’ve had zero issues with my Flow app on my iPhone 15 Pro max. Ive had it since end of July. I did a ride that took me almost 5 hr. including multiples stops. I did stop for lunch with bike turned off. Otherwise App was running the entire trip. Apple’s excerise app on my watch feeding HR to Kiox display, which I like a lot.

But did you have the flow app open and screen on the whole time on your iPhone?

 

[Dimitrydevan]

That’s disappointing! The Flow app can be a battery drain, especially with GPS. Have you tried using a battery pack or turning off non-essential features while riding? Some users find that helps extend battery life. It’s definitely frustrating when the app doesn’t meet expectations for longer rides!

 

[jxrx]

I’ve chosen to not use it really. Certainly not with the screen on. I’ll continue to use Komoot or Garmin to navigate my GPX files as and when I need it.

 

[Ark]

3hrs and it sucked my iPhone battery pretty much dry. From like 95% down to like 10%.

buy the real Bosch smart phone grip.
It has wireless charging built in and a usb port that takes charge from the battery and doesn;'t reserve any power

what sucked your battery dry is probably the screen brightness though.

 

[ValActionT 750]

But did you have the flow app open and screen on the whole time on your iPhone?

I see your point. But why phone on the entire time? I can see turning it off and on might become a pain. Anyways try managing you're screens brightness. I have the watch which and mirror certain app features. Good luck