If you recently upgraded to iOS 26 and started facing problems, you’re not alone. As with most major software updates, iOS 26 brings a range of new features, but it can also introduce unexpected bugs or system hiccups on some devices. These issues often affect battery life, app performance, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity, and even Touch ID or Face ID recognition.
Apple usually releases quick point updates to address these early bugs, but in the meantime, there are several reliable workarounds that can help restore normal functionality on your iPhone. These fixes cover the most common post-update problems users have reported across iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 series models running iOS 26.
Battery drain or overheating after update
A noticeable drop in battery life or device overheating is one of the most widespread issues after major iOS releases. In the first 24-48 hours after updating, your iPhone reindexes Spotlight, Photos, and other system processes in the background, which can lead to increased power usage. This usually resolves itself after a day or two, but if the issue persists:
- Go to Settings > Battery and check which apps are consuming the most power.
- Disable Background App Refresh for non-essential apps: Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
- Turn off Location Services for apps that don’t need constant access: Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services.
- Restart your iPhone and install any pending app updates from the App Store.
Laggy animations or slow performance
iOS 26’s visual updates, like Liquid Glass design, updated Control Center or Live Activities enhancements, can introduce stutters or slowdowns on older iPhone models. To fix sluggish performance:
- Force restart your iPhone (Quickly press and release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo appears).
- Enable Reduce Transparency by going to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
- Free up system storage: Settings > General > iPhone Storage.
Wi-Fi or Bluetooth not connecting
Connectivity issues often appear after major system updates. If your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth is unreliable:
- Toggle Airplane Mode on and off.
- Forget the affected network or device and reconnect:
- For Wi-Fi: Settings > Wi-Fi > [network] > Forget This Network
- For Bluetooth: Settings > Bluetooth > [device] > Forget This Device
- Reset Network Settings: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings
Note: This will remove saved Wi-Fi passwords and paired Bluetooth devices.
Face ID or Touch ID not working reliably
Some users have noticed Face ID becoming less responsive or Touch ID not registering fingerprints properly after upgrading. To fix:
- Clean the Face ID sensors or the Home button area.
- Re-register your face or fingerprints:
- Face ID: Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Reset Face ID
- Touch ID: Settings > Touch ID & Passcode > Add a Fingerprint
- Ensure that your device is up to date with the latest iOS 26 point update (like iOS 26.0.1 or later if released).
Apps crashing or freezing
After an update, some apps may not yet be optimized for iOS 26, especially if they use custom frameworks or older APIs. To reduce crashes:
- Update all apps via the App Store > Profile icon > Update All.
- Offload and reinstall problematic apps: Settings > General > iPhone Storage > [App] > Offload App.
- If it’s a system app, force quit and reboot your device.
Other tips and when to escalate
- Check for Software Update patches under Settings > General > Software Update, as Apple may have issued fixes.
- If your issues persist beyond 72 hours, consider backing up and performing a clean restore using IPSW firmware from Finder or iTunes.
- As a last resort, contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store if hardware might be involved.
If you’re still exploring iOS 26 and want to downgrade, see our guide on how to downgrade from iOS 26 to iOS 18.7 for supported models.
