Slow performance and lag after iOS 26 update on iPhone

Jpprado232 wrote:

Nope you are so wrong. It’s the update, as soon as I updated my phone not even a hour ago, I get extreme lag and it doesn’t even run smoothly at all.

AND I HAVE A 15 PRO MAX NOT EVEN 2 years old with extra 350 gigs left

That is exactly what you are supposed to be experiencing after an update of not even an hour ago. Not only lag, but you should be seeing increased battery drain and higher than normal heat being generated from the background indexing being done.

About Apple software updates - Apple Support

You will need to give it 3-5 days to complete. The exact time is not possible to know as it depends on many factors including the size of your photo library where updated algorithms on object detection are also being done. Leave your phone on a charger all night, every night.

Same issues, 1TB 15 Pro.. iOS 26.0.1, running caseless 24/7.

What fixed it for me is to completely turn off Apple Intelligence. Phone doesn’t get near as hot and doesn’t suffer through thermal throttling issues anymore. Up until that I was experiencing severe lag and then thermal throttling when charging and also when connected to wired CarPlay. No VPN profiles, more than 50% left in storage. Tried turning on reduce transparency, slightly helped. Try turning off Apple Intelligence.

shianne277 wrote:

A few days? But after updating mine it’s still being slow and laggy for like a month now and I jsut updated it to the iOS 26.01 and it’s still so slow and laggy and kicking me off apps

Check your battery health at Settings > Battery > Battery Health > Maximum Capacity. If it is below 80%, then you will need your battery replaced, and that would have been true on iOS 18 as well. You may be experiencing increased demands on a battery that is not capable of providing the power and there may also be a message under Peak Performance Capability that also says that the performance is being limited.

iPhone battery and performance - Apple Support

sma333 wrote:

I used apple support which was very helpful. It took a while but what finally fixed it was to delete VPN apps on iphone 13

While this is apparently resolved, what does Apple suggest for VPN if on public wifi?

Apple has no opinion on VPN. Experienced users in this forum do, however. First, you don’t need VPN on public Wi-Fi, because all communication to and from an iPhone is end to end encrypted. Your iPhone also “lies” about its Wi-Fi address when connecting to unknown networks, so your iPhone can’t be tracked by its Wi-Fi address. Using VPN is LESS secure that no VPN, because when you use VPN there is a middleman, the VPN provider, who knows everywhere you connect to, and thus can track your usage and sell that information to anyone who wants to track you. While all VPN providers deny they do this, several have been caught doing so. Avast, for example, has paid multimillions of dollars in fines for doing it repeatedly, after court settlements where they denied it. And even if your VPN provider is “honest”, it can be hacked, as NordVPN was recently.

Knowing this, if you still want to be less secure by using VPN go ahead and reinstall it. The problem you are most likely having is explained here: An important and frequently overlooked fact is that when you install VPN it configures itself to the specific hardware, OS version and network that the device uses. If any of those change it can break the VPN. So any time you change any of these you may need to delete the VPN app and profile, restart your device, then add them back (if you still want to use VPN) so it can configure itself to the new environment.

Here's more detail about: VPN - What you need to know

Had the same issues as OP, waited 3-5 days for the indexing to finish and still have some lags, but what worked was, I went on Setting - Accessibility - Display & Text Size - Reduce Transparency,

Turning it off, quiting setting, and then turning it on again, seems to make the phone run better. Everything is snappy again. Maybe it’ll work for you too.

I’m on iphone 13 128gb with 24gb of storage left.

I found that closing all apps after updating significantly reduces/eliminates lag.

To me, it seems like performance suffers when using an app that has remained open since pre-update. Closing and reopening an app after updating allows the app to factor in your current iOS version. After doing this once, you can continue using your lagfree updated phone as you normally would.

For information; I’m using an iPhone 14 Pro 512GB with ~380GB of unused storage running iOS 26.1 (23B85). My battery condition is currently at 81%, and it’s been ~12 hours since updating from iOS 18.6. I did not adjust any settings, including settings related to Apple Intelligence.

Two things:

• Let us know when you updated.
• Post the screen shot you see at Settings > Battery, that shows the green battery graph with the last 24 hour option and the top apps using the battery.

For the early adopters who updated last Monday, the indexing has already completed and the reports about battery drain, heat, and lag have dropped significantly.

About Apple software updates - Apple Support

SOLUTION- I was having same problem and I know the solution might sound super basic but:

I went to the app store and hit the update button and updated all the apps.. the phone magically stopped lagging . I know, crazy😅

The latest patch iOS 26.0.1 has partially solved the problem for my iPhone 12. Now the APPs don't crash, and the phone has minimized the absolutely laggy behaviour of iOS 26. Still lags, but at least the phone can be used.

Folks, I think I figured it out. TURN OFF LOW POWER MODE

mainly I was experiencing micro lag. I’ve done everything from reduce transparency, update all apps, turn on and off phone - but the solve was to turn off low power mode.

hope this helps

I have an iPhone 15 Pro. I tried reducing Transparency in Accessibility. I tried removing my VPN profile. These did not work.

What worked was turning off Apple Intelligence. As soon as I turned it off my phone lag was gone.

Hope this works for you.

I used apple support which was very helpful. It took a while but what finally fixed it was to delete VPN apps on iphone 13

While this is apparently resolved, what does Apple suggest for VPN if on public wifi?

Toggling off reduce transparency work for my 15 pro max, cheers!

There may be several reasons due to which an iPhone may behave as described by you. Some of them could be...

Let's delve a bit deeper into some of them:

1. Storage: A full iPhone can definitely slow things down. Phones can experience performance issues when the storage is nearly full. Users can check their storage status by going to Settings > General > [Device] Storage. Deleting unnecessary apps, photos, or videos can free up space and improve performance. How to check the storage on your iPhone and iPad - Apple Support.
2. Battery Health: A degraded battery can impact performance. A deteriorating battery can impact the overall performance of an iPhone. Checking the battery health can be done by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If the maximum capacity is significantly reduced, it might be time to replace the battery. Prolong and Maximise Battery Performance … - Apple Community
3. Incorrect Handling: Accidental drops or bumps can cause internal damage. looking at the Apple's guide on proper handling is a good step. Important handling information for iPhone - Apple Support (IN)
4. Environmental Issues: Extreme temperatures, dust, and water exposure can all be detrimental.
   1. Keeping iPhone clean is an important step. Dust accumulation in the iPhone's ports and openings can affect functionality. Apple provides guidelines on how to clean iPhones safely, which usually involves using a soft, lint-free cloth to remove dust without causing damage. Cleaning your iPhone - Apple Support
   2. Keep the iPhone within temperature limits. Phones are designed to operate within a specific temperature range. Exposure to extreme temperatures, especially in parked cars, can lead to overheating or other performance issues. If your iPhone or iPad gets too hot or too cold - Apple Support.
   3. Addressing safety issues is also important: Important safety information for iPhone - Apple Support (IN)
5. Unauthorized Service: Servicing an iPhone through unauthorized channels can result in substandard repairs and void warranties. Users should always seek authorized Apple service centers for repairs and maintenance.
   1. Repairs by unqualified technicians can introduce new problems. Find information about your warranty or AppleCare plan - Apple Support is helpful.
   2. Modification / Alteration of an iPhone by a third-party vendor may cause issues beyond repair. --> Unauthorized modification of iOS - Apple Support (IN)
6. Jailbreak: Now, let's talk about jailbreaking. Jailbreaking removes Apple's restrictions, allowing for more customization and app installation outside the App Store. However, it can also lead to instability, security vulnerabilities, and issues receiving future iOS updates.

By considering all these possibilities, you've provided a comprehensive approach to troubleshooting the iPhone's behavior.

Understanding and addressing these factors can help you maintain the optimal performance and longevity of their iPhones. Following Apple's guidelines and seeking authorized support when needed are crucial for a positive user experience.

Perhaps a long shot:

Do you have a 3rd party VPN installed, even if you are not using it? If so, delete the VPN profile in Settings/General/VPN & Device Management/VPN, then restart your device. Don't just turn it off; delete the profile. If that fixes it, you can try reinstalling VPN, but probably shouldn't.

(VPN isn’t the cause of all problems, but it is responsible for a great many)