Slow performance and lag after iOS 26 update on iPhone

Had the same issues as OP, waited 3-5 days for the indexing to finish and still have some lags, but what worked was, I went on Setting - Accessibility - Display & Text Size - Reduce Transparency,

Turning it off, quiting setting, and then turning it on again, seems to make the phone run better. Everything is snappy again. Maybe it’ll work for you too.

I’m on iphone 13 128gb with 24gb of storage left.

There may be several reasons due to which an iPhone may behave as described by you. Some of them could be...

Let's delve a bit deeper into some of them:

1. Storage: A full iPhone can definitely slow things down. Phones can experience performance issues when the storage is nearly full. Users can check their storage status by going to Settings > General > [Device] Storage. Deleting unnecessary apps, photos, or videos can free up space and improve performance. How to check the storage on your iPhone and iPad - Apple Support.
2. Battery Health: A degraded battery can impact performance. A deteriorating battery can impact the overall performance of an iPhone. Checking the battery health can be done by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. If the maximum capacity is significantly reduced, it might be time to replace the battery. Prolong and Maximise Battery Performance … - Apple Community
3. Incorrect Handling: Accidental drops or bumps can cause internal damage. looking at the Apple's guide on proper handling is a good step. Important handling information for iPhone - Apple Support (IN)
4. Environmental Issues: Extreme temperatures, dust, and water exposure can all be detrimental.
   1. Keeping iPhone clean is an important step. Dust accumulation in the iPhone's ports and openings can affect functionality. Apple provides guidelines on how to clean iPhones safely, which usually involves using a soft, lint-free cloth to remove dust without causing damage. Cleaning your iPhone - Apple Support
   2. Keep the iPhone within temperature limits. Phones are designed to operate within a specific temperature range. Exposure to extreme temperatures, especially in parked cars, can lead to overheating or other performance issues. If your iPhone or iPad gets too hot or too cold - Apple Support.
   3. Addressing safety issues is also important: Important safety information for iPhone - Apple Support (IN)
5. Unauthorized Service: Servicing an iPhone through unauthorized channels can result in substandard repairs and void warranties. Users should always seek authorized Apple service centers for repairs and maintenance.
   1. Repairs by unqualified technicians can introduce new problems. Find information about your warranty or AppleCare plan - Apple Support is helpful.
   2. Modification / Alteration of an iPhone by a third-party vendor may cause issues beyond repair. --> Unauthorized modification of iOS - Apple Support (IN)
6. Jailbreak: Now, let's talk about jailbreaking. Jailbreaking removes Apple's restrictions, allowing for more customization and app installation outside the App Store. However, it can also lead to instability, security vulnerabilities, and issues receiving future iOS updates.

By considering all these possibilities, you've provided a comprehensive approach to troubleshooting the iPhone's behavior.

Understanding and addressing these factors can help you maintain the optimal performance and longevity of their iPhones. Following Apple's guidelines and seeking authorized support when needed are crucial for a positive user experience.

THIISSSSS!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH ! I just turned it off completely and now my phone is back to being lightning fast

A temporary fix

just do a hard reset and it will work fine for few weeks, speaking from personal experience

Turn off apple intelligence. It worked a dream on my 16 pro max. Back to being zippy and useable even with Proton VPN on.

Viinturuth wrote: "My phone still lags and has become noticeably slower since the update"

Viinturuth ~ What model of iPhone is it?...

Settings > General > About > Model Name

And what point version of iOS 26 is it running?...

Settings > General > About > iOS Version

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Turning off Apple Intelligence almost solved the issue for me on iPhone 17 Pro max

sovanreach96 wrote: "My phone when recording is lag"

sovanreach96 ~ What model of iPhone is it?...

Settings > General > About > Model Name

And what version of iOS is it running?...

Settings > General > About > iOS Version

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Only if you have the beta. I’d suggest just not updating anymore. You know 26.2 is even bigger and slows your device even more. If you keep upgrading you are inevitably retiring your phone.

Same thing. i did an update for my 12pro and it was slow for a day and smooth for second day onwards. and then after couple of days, it is lagging the whole thing. I used Lirum info app to see what is the usage and all. Not even 35-45% of CPU usage and 30% memory usage. Not sure how true it is. Appears to be true as it shows all 6 core usage info. (4 cores at nearly 40-45%% and 2 performance core almost at 0-10% and i dont understand what is slowing things down?

Further follow up on this issue from my own experience. I ended up returning my iPhone 15 Pro to Apple as I had it less than a month and the MagSafe charging functionality stopped working too as well as all of the issues with lag and unresponsiveness. I have now bought an iPhone 17 and I am not experiencing any issues although I have not yet activated Apple Intelligence.

Tried resetting the iPhone and loading no backup make it a little better but the lag was still there.

using 16 pro max 1TB and feeling as if it’s an iPhone 6🤦

[Edited by Moderator]

My phone lag after ios 26 update specifically in battery saver mode and low bandwidth network.Some notifications doesn’t work if locked phone for hours I m using iPhone 15 pro max 1 tb

Since you bring it up, what is your battery health percentage? What 5 or 6 apps are consuming your battery power and CPU cycles that of course could be the cause of the lag.

Thetruelesbian wrote: "...Apple needs to act soon."

Be sure to tell them — as we're all just users in these user-to-user communities.

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