Apple has openly admitted something iPhone users have long suspected: big software updates can make your phone feel slower and drain your battery — at least for a few days. With the launch of iOS 26, the company has added a new level of honesty to its usual polished approach, and it's a welcome change for many.

Why does your iPhone struggle after an update?

If your iPhone has felt sluggish or its battery has been running out faster since updating to iOS 26, you’re not imagining it — and nothing’s broken. Apple now says this is normal after major updates. When you install a big update like iOS 26, your phone starts working in the background to organise files, update apps, and get everything running smoothly again. This can take a few days.

So, if you updated on Friday night and by Saturday afternoon your battery is nearly empty — even without heavy use — it’s likely because your phone is still doing some behind-the-scenes clean-up.

Apple says smaller updates won’t cause the same issues, but full version upgrades like this one can temporarily affect both performance and battery life.

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Heavier features need more power

iOS 26 also brings more advanced features, especially AI tools, which need more processing power. That means your iPhone might use more battery when you’re using new features — especially if you’re a power user who spends lots of time on demanding apps.

To help with this, Apple has introduced something called Adaptive Power. This new system learns how you use your phone and tries to manage energy in a smarter way. There are also improved battery reports that show where your charge is going, so you’re not left guessing.

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Apple says it will continue this level of transparency for future updates too. For years, users were left wondering why their phones suddenly felt worse after updates. Now, Apple is choosing to be upfront — letting people know what to expect and reassuring them that things should return to normal in a few days.