Apple recently released the new iOS 16 update, but it is already facing criticism. Many iPhone users have taken to social media and online forums to express their concerns about rapid battery drain following the update. Several users have reported that their battery charge drops significantly even when the phone is not in use, and some have also experienced overheating issues.
Some comments on X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit report an overnight iPhone battery drain of 20-30% in standby mode. Others report that basic tasks such as messaging or web browsing now drain phones abnormally fast. “My iPhone is working overtime in the background,” one user complained.
Apple hasn’t yet admitted to an iOS 26 bug, but experts say such issues are the usual complaint after a significant upgrade. When a new operating system is loaded, the phone will re-index data, apps, and photographs in the background, which can even temporarily increase battery usage.
“Background activity following an update is a common phenomenon, typically for a few days,” explained an analyst. “But if the drain persists longer than that, it indicates underlying software inefficiencies or hardware strain.”
Apple’s support website recommends that customers refer to the Battery Usage screen under Settings to determine which apps are using too much power. Apple also recommends turning on Low Power Mode to limit background usage, location services, and visual effects.
Other recommended fixes include lowering screen brightness, disabling ‘Raise to Wake’, limiting background app refresh, and checking for further software updates. Apple also reminds users that battery health naturally declines with age, leading to shorter charge cycles.
Some users experience improved battery life several days after the update, while others mention that their issues are not resolved yet. “It's been a week since I updated to iOS 26, and my phone still drains half the charge by afternoon,” an iPhone 13 user reported.
Third-party repair professionals suggest that aging batteries are more susceptible to abrupt drain following software updates. “If the battery health percentage is less than 80, slight software optimisations will reveal its weakness,” a service engineer stated.
Also Read: iOS 26 Officially Released: Top Features, Rollout Details & Easy Guide to Upgrade
Industry insiders anticipate that the tech giant will release a small patch in the coming weeks to fix the gripes. Users are being told to monitor app activity and change settings to save power.
Meanwhile, the air of discontent continues to grow online as people demand that Apple act fast to fix what they refer to as ‘the most disruptive update in recent memory.’