How To Fix Rapid Battery Drain on iPhone Following iOS 26 Update | 2025
So, you upgraded to iOS 26 and now the battery’s draining way faster than before? Yeah, that’s a common complaint. Seems like after big updates, some phones go on a power drain spree — maybe iOS is reindexing stuff in the background or some apps are misbehaving. Whatever the reason, here’s some actual stuff that usually helps to get it under control.
Step 1: Check iPhone Storage
This one’s kind of odd, but low storage can mess with performance and drain the battery faster. Not sure why it works, but freeing up space always seems to help.
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Select iPhone Storage.
- Look at how much space is left. Seriously, if it’s stuffed, delete some apps or docs you don’t need. Because of course, iOS has to make it harder than necessary.
Step 2: Remove Unused Apps
Apps you don’t actually open anymore? Trash ‘em. They still sit there running background processes sometimes, which just drags battery down.
- In iPhone Storage, scroll through the list of apps.
- Tap on any app you no longer want.
- Choose Delete App. Confirm. Done.
Step 3: Disconnect VPN Connections
VPNs are handy, but on some setups, having one staying connected in the background just kills the battery. Double-check this.
- Go to Settings.
- Tap on VPN (if that’s present).
- If a VPN is active, toggle the switch off or disconnect it. That might help. Sometimes VPNs run some heavy-duty encryption routines that aren’t great for battery life.
Step 4: Enable Low Power Mode
This is pretty much the emergency brake for power drain. It limits background activities, visual effects, and downloads, so your battery lasts longer.
- Open Settings.
- Tap Battery.
- Toggle Low Power Mode.
This usually helps if your battery is going downhill quickly, especially after a big update. On some devices, it feels like magic; on others, not so much. Still worth a shot.
Step 5: Force Restart Your iPhone
If everything still feels off, a forced restart can clear some weird background glitches. Not sure exactly why, but sometimes a quick refresh helps.
- For iPhones with Face ID: Press and quickly release Volume Up, then Volume Down, then press and hold the Side button until the Apple logo shows up.
- For iPhones with a Home button: Hold down both Home and Power buttons until the Apple logo appears.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Other things that might not fix it immediately, but can help in the long run:
- Update all your apps — devs push updates for better iOS compatibility which often includes battery tweaks.
- Reduce screen brightness or turn on Auto-Brightness in Settings > Display & Brightness.
- Check battery usage in Settings > Battery. Some app might be hogging power without you realizing it.
Conclusion
Following these steps has a decent shot at stopping that annoying battery drain after the iOS 26 update. The real secret is staying on top of storage, app management, and keeping an eye on background activities. Sometimes, it’s just stuff recalibrating — but if you’re consistently seeing weird drain, these tips can help keep things in check.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if the problem persists?
If batteries still suck after trying that, consider resetting all settings via Settings > General > Reset > Reset All Settings. It’s non-destructive, just resets system preferences. Might clear out some corrupted configs.
Is it normal for battery life to vary after an update?
Yup, totally. Especially after a major update like iOS 26, the system needs time to settle down. Usually, a few days of recalibrating, but if it keeps bad, then it’s worth digging deeper.
Can I revert to an older version of iOS?
This gets trickier. Downgrades are possible but involve some hoops with digging into firmware files and using tools like IPSY. Be warned: it’s not always smooth sailing, and there’s a risk of bricking your device. Only if you’re comfortable with the tech mess, it’s an option.
Summary
- Clear some storage if it’s full
- Remove or update misbehaving apps
- Check VPN status and toggle off if needed
- Use Low Power Mode if battery’s really dropping fast
- Force restart if necessary
Hopefully this shaves off a few hours for someone. Because, honestly, battery issues after a big update are the worst — but they usually aren’t permanent. Just keep an eye on things, and don’t forget to set a reminder to check battery health after a few days.