iPhone Users Report Battery Drain After iOS 26.5 Update, Apple Says It’s Temporary

Several iPhone users are reporting overheating and rapid battery drain after installing Apple’s latest iOS 26.5 update, but experts and Apple say the issue is likely temporary during post-update system optimization.

Cupertino, California | May 18, 2026 |

Apple users across the world have started reporting battery drain and overheating issues after installing the latest iOS 26.5 software update on their iPhones. Complaints have rapidly surfaced on Reddit, social media platforms and Apple community forums, with many users claiming their devices are losing charge significantly faster than before.

According to multiple online reports, users say their iPhones are heating up during routine tasks such as charging, browsing social media, using the camera or streaming music. Some users have claimed their battery percentage dropped nearly 50 percent within a few hours despite moderate usage patterns.

However, Apple has clarified that temporary battery drain and thermal issues are common immediately after major software updates. The company explained through its official support documentation that iPhones perform extensive background tasks after a new iOS installation, including indexing files, optimizing applications, downloading system assets and rebuilding internal search databases. These processes consume additional CPU power and can temporarily affect battery life and device temperature.

Technology observers note that similar complaints were also reported following earlier iOS releases, including iOS 18 and the initial iOS 26 rollout. In most cases, battery performance reportedly stabilized within a few days after the device completed its background optimization activities.

Some users have also speculated that Apple Intelligence features running in the background could be contributing to increased battery consumption. Others suggested disabling unnecessary AI-based functions temporarily until the device finishes post-update processing.

Experts recommend users wait at least three to five days before judging battery performance after a major iOS update. If overheating or excessive battery drain continues beyond that period, users are advised to check battery health settings, restart the device or wait for a future software patch from Apple.

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