Slow performance and lag after iOS 26 update on iPhone

I desperately want to downgrade from IOS 26 to 18.X for my iPhone 13 Pro Max. It's truly bad ever I experienced from the apples history of IOS updates from the very first iPhone so called #1 to 13 and surprisingly apple removed stopped the downgrade support for IOS 26 and WHY? WTH

suchinjack wrote:

I desperately want to downgrade from IOS 26 to 18.X for my iPhone 13 Pro Max. It's truly bad ever I experienced from the apples history of IOS updates from the very first iPhone so called #1 to 13 and surprisingly apple removed stopped the downgrade support for IOS 26 and WHY? WTH

Downgraded has never been supported on any version of software, there has been no change.

Amen, it’s ridiculous. Besides a slow buggy experience on my iPhone 16 Pro I’m also having problems with the screen brightness / white point / contrast / legibility. Eyes hurting and headaches. It’s been so many problems since iOS 26 and 26.1. Giving it 2 more weeks and if still issues I’m afraid I’ll have to leave the Apple architecture.

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!

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.

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.

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.

AF0911 wrote:

Agreed. Worst update ever. Screens constantly freeze. Beiber was spot on about the dictation button being in the worst place. Hate it. Wish I could undo it.

You can let Apple know what you'd like to see here:

Product Feedback - Apple

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!

adeline205 wrote:

I rather have options than you just placing your style or detail in without knowing how it can affect users.

I am not sure if you think you are speaking to Apple here, but they are not going to see your post. If you want to send Apple Feedback, then this is the link you are looking for.

Product Feedback - Apple

Me too

Me too, same issue. No lag before update and lag/slow after update.

No jailbreak, no falls. Even when phone is on charger same issue.

iPhone 14 pro max 512 .. half the memory is empty.

It is 100% iOS update issue. It’s so frustrating. Can’t do anything because of the lag

Same issue. So much drag to the point websites won’t even open and needs to be refreshed. Helpppp

I have a new iPhone 16 pro max and am having the same exact issue after updating last week.