Apple released its latest big software update, iOS 26, on Monday, and while it is packed with some massive capabilities, including call screening and the new Liquid Glass redesign, many users are noticing that their iPhone batteries are draining faster after installing the update, with some of the devices running out of battery within a few hours. Social media seems to be flooded with complaints, and many are taking to online forums to report experiencing screen lags, app freezing, and the new design being harder to use. Apple has now addressed the ongoing controversy and explained why the issue persists.
iOS 26 update sparks battery complaints - Apple explains why
Since Apple rolled out iOS 26 at the start of this week, iPhone users have been complaining about their batteries draining within a few hours, and some were not happy with the new design language, calling it harder to use. Many even suggested that it would be better to wait for iOS 26.1 before installing this update. Apple, noticing the buzz around its latest software release, explained why the battery seems to be draining, and insisted that it is nothing to worry about, as it is natural for some issues to erupt after a significant update, but the wave of criticism still has not stopped.
Apple, in a recent statement on its support page, clarified that iPhone users feeling worse performance after the update is not unusual since a major OS update requires intensive background tasks, and the system is performing a number of processes for the new software such as file indexing, reorganizing data, and optimizing performance. As a result of all the work that is taking place behind the scenes, there is an added strain on the battery, making the device feel slower and even hotter than it usually would be.
Apple further explained that it is not only the intense background work that takes a toll on the battery initially, but also the new features added that now require more resources. Since more power is needed for iOS to be able to handle the more complex activities and visuals, it also leads to battery drain and sluggish phones. While these issues generally settle within the first few days, some users continue suggesting that they notice battery life permanently being compromised if more demanding features are used in iOS 26.
Despite the Cupertino giant clearing the air and attempting to calm the frustration, many users remain persistent that such issues should be dealt with before users download the big update, as the expectations are for the device to work better or at least the same after upgrading, and not worse. Due to the continued complaints, many are suggesting others wait until the iOS 26.1 update for the dust to settle. Nonetheless, it is normal for some glitches to be there after an update is rolled out, and waiting a few weeks to determine performance should be a smarter move.
Follow Wccftech on Google to get more of our news coverage in your feeds.
