Level 1

63 points

iOS 26.2 (and all of 26) worst upgrade ever.

iOS 26.2 (and all of 26) is riddled with issues, bugs, lack of functionality, lags, etc. will apple start listening??

I already tried submitting multiple ‘feedback’ requests to apple, funnily enough, there is a character limit so you can’t actually describe all the issues in just one message. Says a lot about the issues.. not sure where to begin but the first one to point out as I’m typing this is the slow keyboard, lag in typing and displaying and the spacing of letters.

The screen delays, the swiping, the odd circle that stays around what you “click” as a bubble, the slow response in safari, the odd settings changes that NO one asked for. The constant “suggestions” from apple either in mail (no apple, I don’t need you to tell me to unsubscribe to every email I get I can make my own decisions) the car suggestion, and yes I have these turned off.. (trying to figure out how was a mission in itself because why would it be user friendly..)

The changing between apps is awful, slow and clunky, screens hang there without responding until they do. Not being able to change the way I want to display the date format on the locked screen, it’s my phone I want to use it how it suits me not how “apple thinks you want to use it”

I can keep going. It’s a rant I know but this is the first time there are SO MANY issues not just one here or there, that I had to do this.

I again repeat yes I have submitted feedback to the official channels. This is me sharing my frustrations with the community.

Posted on Jan 5, 2026 2:25 PM

Top-ranking reply

LotusPilot

Level 10

302,858 points

Posted on Jan 19, 2026 7:11 AM

Gotechgo10 wrote:

I just installed the update today and spent over an hour trying to fix all the screen display and other issues I dislike. If you haven't installed it yet, don't!!!! I researched the update online and most of the irritants are impossible to fix... all of which are Home Screen and keyboard related. So basically will be staring at them every minute of every use. I've never cursed so much at an inanimate object!

Good luck to all... and, Apple designers and executives... how could your focus group testing not pick up on this before approving and launching the update?!?

iOS/iPadOS 26.1 introduced a new setting that subtly changes the appearance of Liquid Glass:

Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass - select Clear or Tinted

If you are experiencing challenges with the new Liquid Glass UI, there are settings that can significantly improve the appearance and suppress the majority of unwanted effects:

Settings > Accessibility > [Vision] Display & Text Size > Reduce Transparency - set to ON
Settings > Accessibility > [Vision] Display & Text Size > Increase Contrast - set to ON
Settings > Accessibility > [Motion] Reduce Motion - set to ON

Each if these settings can be used individually, or in combination. Setting Reduce Transparency alone (1) will likely suppress the majority of potential issues. The Reduce Motion setting (3), if used, will eliminate the "lensing" effects of the Liquid Glass UI. Experiment; you should find a combination that works for you.

I suggest that you begin with setting Reduce Transparency to ON - and then, if needed, experiment with additional use of one or more of the other options.

NB: The new Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass setting can only be changed/toggled while Reduce Transparency is set to OFF. You might find that setting Liquid Glass to Clear, prior to enabling Reduced Transparency to ON, may give the best result.

Liquid Glass will undoubtedly continue to evolve throughout the lifespan of iOS/iPadOS 26. Hopefully, Apple will provide additional controls over time to refine the visual aspects to suit the individual needs of end-users. Many have commented that while Liquid Glass is "pretty", it is arguably form over function - reducing legibility and usability for some users. Some here also strongly advocate for this new look; others express dislike, or have significant difficulty with its legibility.

If you have any constructive feedback concerning Liquid Glass, or would lime to see changes or additional flexibility in its configuration, you should submit comments via Apple's Product Feedback portal. For iPad:

Feedback - iPad - Apple

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130 replies

KiltedTim

Level 10

226,284 points

Jan 20, 2026 9:56 AM in response to rt23wv

Your opinion has been noted and ignored.

Please take a minute to actually read the thread before posting.

You are not talking to Apple. Apple will not see your complaint here. This is a user forum. We are all Apple customers. We do not have the ability to alter reality.

Jan 20, 2026 10:17 AM in response to rt23wv

rt23wv wrote:

I absolutely do not like the new faded app look, they make your eyes feel like they can’t focus. They look dumb and cheap now instead of solid. Like the app’s are ghosts. Very dumb.

If you had taken the time to read past the first post, you'd have seen a number of posts explaining how you can adjust the Liquid Glass Look, like this, for example --> Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

63,380 points

Jan 20, 2026 10:17 AM in response to rt23wv

I like it, but of course, neither your or my opinions have any relevance on a Support Site such as this where you are not even talking to Apple. Maybe you confused this site with a Social Media site or forgot to read the information that was previously provided so it was not clear to you.

Katana-San

Level 10

81,649 points

Jan 20, 2026 11:15 AM in response to KiltedTim

KiltedTim wrote:

Your opinion has been noted and ignored.

Please take a minute to actually read the thread before posting.

You are not talking to Apple. Apple will not see your complaint here. This is a user forum. We are all Apple customers. We do not have the ability to alter reality.

Hello~ There’s that pesky “reality “ thing again ;-)

~Katana-San~

Bingo22

Level 1

8 points

Jan 20, 2026 11:23 AM in response to app12357

I’m just getting familiar with iOS 26 and am frustrated. I have purchased Apple devices in the past because they were relatively easy to use, but the iOS 26 version is terrible….way to complex and glitchy. I wish I could rewind back to the previous version.

Jan 21, 2026 6:36 AM in response to Slick163

Slick163 wrote:

I had to spend an hour just getting things back to where I could use my phone. Stupid update

It's not clear why you're telling us, your fellow users, this. We weren't responsible for the update nor can we do anything about it.

You can let Apple know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Jan 21, 2026 7:37 AM in response to Joani

Joani wrote:

This update is horrible. It has slowed down so many of my apple applications such as email, and contacts. They need to fix this ASAP.

It's not clear why you're telling us, your fellow users, this. We weren't responsible for the update nor can we do anything about it.

You can let Apple know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

8177

Level 1

20 points

Jan 21, 2026 4:44 PM in response to app12357

I'm sorry you are so upset. I'm there too. Why chose so-called aesthetics over functionality. I care zero about aesthetics. I'm not LOOKING at it, after all, I'm LISTENING TO IT. And the easier they make the listening, the better. Changing so many things needlessly is more than confusing. It turns it into junk that is more trouble than it's worth.

Jan 22, 2026 5:49 PM in response to jennyhelpmesf

Final thing: When you text an audio text or a video to someone, sometimes you want to scroll down below it and include a "Hey, thought you'd find this funny" part in the 1 text. This version does now allow. If you send your gf, parents anything with a quick note "Dad, see above, love you!" You cannot do it -- you have to send it in a 2nd text.

Jan 22, 2026 5:57 PM in response to jennyhelpmesf

jennyhelpmesf wrote:

Final thing: When you text an audio text or a video to someone, sometimes you want to scroll down below it and include a "Hey, thought you'd find this funny" part in the 1 text. This version does now allow. If you send your gf, parents anything with a quick note "Dad, see above, love you!" You cannot do it -- you have to send it in a 2nd text.

Almost nothing you've written is true. You can attach a photo or video and still add text under it. Taking a photo takes no more steps in iOS 26 than it did in iOS 18. Are there changes? Yes, but you need to take a few minutes to learn about iOS 26. And next year, when iOS 27 is released, people will be here complaining and asking for iOS 26. This happens every year. I've not found anything particularly difficult to learn or navigate in iOS 26.

Mac Jim ID

Level 9

63,380 points

Jan 23, 2026 9:17 PM in response to jrnohouse

jrnohouse wrote:

Is there a way to get rid of the MacBook controls on apps. On an iPad mini, it’s overkill and I accidentally shift apps so the controls are not accessible. I have to close and reopen the apps.

I believe you are referring to the Multitasking features on the iPad. You have many options to customize how you want to use those capabilities. If you are looking for the controls on an app, similar to the Mac window controls that looks like a traffic light and it is in full screen, you just need to swipe down from the top of the screen to make them visible again. A complete description of the options you have including a short video to watch is here:

Multitask on iPad with iPadOS 26 - Apple Support

LotusPilot

Level 10

302,858 points

Jan 24, 2026 2:54 AM in response to jrnohouse

jrnohouse wrote:

Is there a way to get rid of the MacBook controls on apps. On an iPad mini, it’s overkill and I accidentally shift apps so the controls are not accessible. I have to close and reopen the apps.

For iPadOS 26, you have a configuration choice to use Full Screen Apps only, use Windowed Apps, or for iPad models that support it, Stage Manager mode:

Settings > Multitasking & Gestures - select your preferred multitasking mode

If you select Full-Screen Apps mode, you will disable the iPad's multitasking display modes - and with it suppress the "MacBook" controls of which you complain.

iPadOS multitasking has received a significant makeover from that to which you may be accustomed in iPadOS 18.x and earlier - and may take a little time to learn and adjust your workflows. You would be well advised to review the official iPadOS User Guide and the many available online tutorials (such as YouTube) to become better acquainted with the new multitasking interface and associated gestures and controls.

Multitask on iPad with iPadOS 26 - Apple Support

Work with multiple windows at once on iPad - Apple Support

OS - iPadOS 26 - Apple

Slide Over and Split View remain - although are accessed differently. Split view now allows two or three App windows side-by-side, or a spit the screen into four quadrants.

Tapping the traffic-light button exposes the multitasking controls. Red closes the App and window; yellow minimises the App but keeps it running; green maximises the window to full-screen. Window are simply resized by dragging from any of the four corners of the App Window. App windows are moved by dragging from the top edge.

Jan 24, 2026 5:40 AM in response to app12357

With this new update the minute it finished I’ve had a bright line going down the left side. It is like the pixels are messed up one side and gets brighter and sometimes changes colors. I’ve tried all these fixes but nothing is working.

Jan 24, 2026 11:08 AM in response to dianerkay18

I am my husband‘s caregiver, the only caregiver. I absolutely need a phone that I can use. I have a landline, but I can’t take that in the car obviously. This is unsafe. Apple has to do something immediately.

Jan 24, 2026 11:13 AM in response to dianerkay18

iOS 26.2 had nothing to do with your phones ability to make phone calls. You need to contact your carrier, who likely needs to push a cellular update to your phone. If iOS 26.2 make phones no longer able to make calls, this forum would be blown up with people complaining. The tech press would be all over this. Neither is the case.

Contact your carrier for help. This is NOT an Apple issue.

iOS 26.2 (and all of 26) worst upgrade ever.