Slow performance and lag after iOS 26 update on iPhone

After updating my device to iOS 26, I have been experiencing significant lag across apps and system settings. The performance has dropped noticeably, making the device feel slow and unresponsive. This is affecting the overall user experience, and I would appreciate guidance on whether this is a known issue or if there are recommended steps to resolve it


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: After updating to iOS 26, my phone has started lagging significantly across all apps and settings. The overall performance feels noticeably slower—almost like using an Android device


iPhone 11 Pro Max, iOS 26

Posted on Sep 17, 2025 6:11 AM

Reply
273 replies

Nov 19, 2025 6:55 AM in response to smab70

smab70 wrote:

Apps crashing, the lag is worse, unresponsiveness, liquid in usb nonsense……battery drain…..everything was 🤬 fine Apple, then even tried calling you today and more 🤬 already have unfinished PTSD with you and your after un-care service I will at some point write about and publish!

You are not addressing Apple here. This is a user-to-user forum. Apple is not reading your post.

Dec 3, 2025 8:50 PM in response to SravanKrA

IOS 26 is the main cause of the performance drop. Once you put in a new display for all devices (Glass display) this means that the device has to acknowledge that display by loading extra rendering, blurring, and the effects 24/7. The new animation now heavily depends on the hardware to manage itself than it did before. ThisTo say that it is not always the IOS updates is false considering IOS 16 - 18 had audio and call issues. They fixed it with IOS 26 and up has made other issues such as the performance drops, visual and sound bugs (No notification or notification sound), etc. There is a reason why there is developer and beta version for people and the makers to test out and provide feedback about any and every bug people encounter, however, they obviously have not listened.

Dec 8, 2025 7:36 AM in response to Bethany_tn

Bethany_tn wrote:

I have had iPhones ever since they came out and have never ever had lagging like this update. So idk where you’re getting your information from but it’s completely wrong. Maybe it’s just your phone.

I'm curious why you think that what you're experiencing is more likely to represent the usual user experience than what Mac Jim ID ( and I) are experiencing? Is it just because you've only read the negative comments? Keep in mind that people are more likely to post in a technical support forum if they have a problem than if they don't. People don't come to technical support forums to say, "Hi, my phone works great!"


I'm not trying to suggest you have a problem. If you say that you do, I believe you. However, making the assumption that it must be iOS 26 and there's nothing you can or should do to troubleshoot is misguided.

Dec 9, 2025 6:18 PM in response to haadee

I can’t even see what I’m typing sometimes. It’s not ok. I don’t care if it’s a privacy screen there needs to be an off button or something.

i don’t care for Liquid Glass, needs an off button. I had everything where I liked it how I liked it. I rather have options than you just placing your style or detail in without knowing how it can affect users. I can’t even scroll on this chat box without getting out of typing!

Slow performance and lag after iOS 26 update on iPhone

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