Apple warns iOS 26 update could affect battery life

• Posted on September 18, 2025September 18, 2025
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Apple has issued a cautionary notice about iOS 26 potentially affecting your iPhone’s battery life shortly after installation. 

This alert, now included in the new update’s release documentation, is also linked to a support page that delves into why users might detect changes post-update. While similar issues have arisen with past updates, Apple is now addressing this more directly due to recurring user complaints.

Why battery life drops after updates

Apple’s support page clarifies that when an iPhone undergoes a significant update, it might consume more power temporarily as the system gets busy with various background tasks. These tasks include activities such as indexing files for search, updating apps, and downloading new assets. Such processes can cause your device to heat up and deplete the battery more swiftly than usual.

The tech giant also notes that some fresh features in iOS 26 demand extra system resources, which may result in a slight decrease in battery life or performance, contingent on the user’s phone usage. Apple reassures that they continue to optimise these features through subsequent updates to keep devices running smoothly.

Aside from battery concerns, Apple emphasises the critical nature of software updates. These updates don’t just incorporate new features like enhancements in Messages, Safari, or the Control Centre, they also deliver vital security patches and bug fixes. Skipping these updates could leave your device exposed or limit access to the latest functionalities, such as Apple Intelligence.

Apple seeks to reassure users, highlighting that iPhones are engineered with an integration of hardware and software to maintain performance and efficiency. Though you may notice a temporary effect after installing iOS 26, things should stabilise once background tasks are completed.

Why this matters

Frequent user complaints about battery drain following major iOS updates are not new for Apple. This time around, the company has chosen a proactive approach by addressing the issue upfront within the release notes and providing a direct link to a more detailed explanation. While the observations aren’t unique to iOS 26 alone, the timing indicates an effort to pre-empt user concerns.

In essence, if you find your iPhone a bit sluggish or with a lower battery life after updating to iOS 26, there’s no need to worry, it’s just adapting to the changes.