My iPhone 15 is freezing after iOS 26.0.1 update

Have you tried a forced restart:

1. Press and quickly release the volume up button.
2. Press and quickly release the volume down button.
3. Press and hold the side button until you see the Apple logo (this might take longer than 10 seconds).

The operative word here is QUICKLY for the first two buttons, then a long hold for the SIDE button; and try it a couple of times, the timing is a little tricky. If done correctly this will always work unless the phone has a hardware problem. 

Perhaps a long shot:

Do you have a 3rd party VPN installed, even if you are not using it? If so, delete the VPN profile in Settings/General/VPN & Device Management/VPN, then restart your device. Don't just turn it off; delete the profile. If that fixes it, you can try reinstalling VPN, but probably shouldn't.

“My iPhone 15 is freezing after iOS 26.0.1 update: […]I hate this new update & wish there was a way to go backwards !!!![…]”

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Provide Apple Feedback on This:

Do your Part: Let Apple know of this issue - Apple won't get back to you directly, but the more feedback they receive on this, the more they will know what bugs are occurring and what needs to be fixed. These are just user-rouser firms. Apple rarely reads these on their own time and will.

How to Give Feedback:

1. Go Here: Feedback - iPhone - Apple
2. Select: "Bug Report" for "Feedback Type"
3. Comment: that this all started after installing an update. Include the IRL of this thread.
4. Proceed from there as necessary

Kellyt23 wrote:

Yes I attempt forced restart every time it happens but it doesn’t work at all- it doesn’t work until it decides to crash itself out & reboot on its own

A forced restart will ALWAYS work if done correctly, especially holding the side button until an Apple logo appears, ignoring slide to power off. If it doesn’t your phone definitely has a hardware problem.

Happens several times a day on iPhone 15 and sporadically on iPhone 13 Pro Max - both after iOS 26.x update. Yes, the procedure works, but when the phone freezes during a call, it won't disconnect. A big problem while driving.