Is Your iPhone Battery Draining Faster After iOS 26.1? Apple Says Don’t Panic—Here’s Why.
Apple’s latest update, iOS 26.1, rolled out earlier this week, bringing a handful of new features to your iPhone—including an updated way to tweak the Liquid Glass effect on your device. But here’s where it gets controversial: shortly after downloading the update, some users have reported faster-than-usual battery drain. Before you start worrying, Apple has stepped in to reassure everyone that this is completely normal—and, most importantly, temporary.
If you’ve ever noticed your iPhone battery taking a nosedive after an update, you’re not alone. In fact, Apple addressed this very issue in a statement back in September, explaining that it’s a common occurrence. But this is the part most people miss: the initial battery drain isn’t just about the update itself—it’s also about how you use your phone.
According to Apple’s support page, ‘This is normal, as your device needs time to complete background processes like indexing data, downloading new assets, and updating apps.’ They add, ‘Immediately after an update, especially a major one, you might notice a temporary impact on battery life and thermal performance.’ So, if your iPhone feels like it’s running a marathon after iOS 26.1, give it some time to settle in.
But here’s the twist: your personal usage habits could be amplifying the issue. Apple notes that certain features require more resources, so if you’re a heavy user, you might ‘notice a small impact on performance and/or battery life.’ In other words, if you’ve been binge-watching videos or gaming non-stop since the update, your battery drain might not be entirely the update’s fault.
So, is this a bug or just a side effect of a major update? Apple insists it’s the latter, and the issue should resolve itself over time. But we want to hear from you: Have you noticed faster battery drain after iOS 26.1? Do you think it’s a fair trade-off for new features, or is this something Apple needs to address further? Let us know in the comments—this debate is far from over.
For more insights on iOS 26.1 and its features, check out our in-depth review and cheat sheet. And don’t forget to add CNET as a preferred Google source for unbiased tech content and lab-based reviews. While you’re here, dive into the ongoing debate: The Thin Phone Debate: iPhone Air vs. iPhone 17 Pro—which side are you on?
