Overview
- Users on Apple forums, Reddit, and X report several hours less battery life after installing iOS 26 on devices ranging from iPhone 13 to iPhone 16 and newer.
- Apple’s guidance cites temporary battery and thermal changes after major releases as background indexing, asset downloads, and app updates complete.
- iOS 26 introduces Adaptive Power in Settings > Battery > Power Mode to make small, conditional performance adjustments that extend runtime on high-usage days.
- Adaptive Power is limited to Apple Intelligence–capable models, including iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone Air, and the iPhone 17 series.
- Some users say updating third‑party apps and power‑cycling the phone helps reduce drain, and no broad corrective software update has been announced.