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

Jan 24, 2026 12:41 PM in response to app12357

Since IOS 26.2 was installed on my Ipad pro, with apple smart keyboard, it is impossible to use the screen keyboard, only when disconnecting the iPad from the keyboard I can use the screen keyboard.

Next to the functional issues caused by the upgrade, this is the worst upgrade since being an apple user for at least 15 years …. If only I could roll it back.

Apple you really need to do a Post implementation review (PIR), do a lessons learnt and make sure this doesn’t happen again.

You need a good ITSM manager to make sure this never happens again.

Greetings from an ITSM manager, knowing what she’s talking about.

Jeff Donald

Level 8

45,546 points

Jan 24, 2026 12:54 PM in response to dianerkay18

Hi, not being able to make and receive calls is almost always a carrier issue. Who’s your carrier and have you contacted their support team? If so, what did they say? If you haven’t, that’s the first step.

Generally, I prefer to stop in a carrier’s corporate store. I’m generally in and out in a few minutes. Especially if I call and make a reservation first. But I understand if that’s not feasible with your husband.

Your next option is to call the carrier’s support phone number. Good luck and please let us know what they say and how everything works out.

Jeff Donald

Level 8

45,546 points

Jan 24, 2026 1:03 PM in response to PoppyThor

I mean no offense, but Apple and Apple Support do not actively participate in the communities. You’re addressing just fellow iPhone users, not Apple.

If you’re an Apple developer you can use the official bug reporting channels. If you’re not, please send your feedback through Apple’s official channel,

Product Feedback - Apple

On a side note next time you want to post about your iPad, you might want to post in the iPad community and not the iPhone community.

Katana-San

Level 10

81,649 points

Jan 24, 2026 1:44 PM in response to PoppyThor

PoppyThor wrote:

Since IOS 26.2 was installed on my Ipad pro, with apple smart keyboard, it is impossible to use the screen keyboard, only when disconnecting the iPad from the keyboard I can use the screen keyboard.

Next to the functional issues caused by the upgrade, this is the worst upgrade since being an apple user for at least 15 years …. If only I could roll it back.

Apple you really need to do a Post implementation review (PIR), do a lessons learnt and make sure this doesn’t happen again.

You need a good ITSM manager to make sure this never happens again.

Greetings from an ITSM manager, knowing what she’s talking about.

Hello~ These are some links that you may click on and review in depth to add to your knowledge…

Apple Support Communities Use Agreement - Apple Community

Community etiquette guidelines - Apple Support

~Katana-San~

Jan 24, 2026 5:22 PM in response to app12357

I loved my iPad, had no issues until I updated it with 26.2: oh my god this is a nightmare I can not navigate this at all, I am a devout apple lover, but I am beyond frustrated I especially need the split screen, to type on notes while I read and research from another app. Absolutely can’t make it work

also many other frustrating issues, please bring back my old tablet!!!

Jan 24, 2026 6:12 PM in response to iretafromquincy

iretafromquincy wrote:

I loved my iPad, had no issues until I updated it with 26.2: oh my god this is a nightmare I can not navigate this at all, I am a devout apple lover, but I am beyond frustrated I especially need the split screen, to type on notes while I read and research from another app. Absolutely can’t make it work

also many other frustrating issues, please bring back my old tablet!!!

This is the iPhone forum, not iPad forum. But Apple didn't take away the ability to use Split Screen in iOS 26.2. They actually enhanced what they call Multi-Tasking. Read this to learn how --> Multitask on iPad with iPadOS 26 - Apple Support

Jeff Donald

Level 8

45,546 points

Jan 25, 2026 3:03 PM in response to stefaroonie

Hi, if you made a reply to a particular post, it may have been removed because the post you were replying to contained statements that violated the terms and conditions of the use of these communities.

Apple monitors the content of the communities to insure the T&C are obeyed. Remember these communities are intended to be safe for everyone. Your comment would have lacked context and appeared out of place with the removal of the offending post.

Apple Support Communities Use Agreement - Apple Community

Jan 26, 2026 7:15 AM in response to app12357

Been using Apple devices, professionally and personally, since 1985. Desktops, laptops, iPhones, iPads, etc….……..…..the works. Well over 100 different devices over the last 40 years.

I’ve been through some software update “hickups” in the past.

[Edited by Moderator]

Alancito

Level 7

30,108 points

Jan 26, 2026 9:54 AM in response to Brontovc

Brontovc wrote: "26.2 with iPhone 12 Pro Max - T-Mobile cell signal drops often to 1 bar when strong signal exists. Signal returns after cycling to iOS update and About pages but loses sign after 10 minutes"

Brontovc ~ As your iPhone 12 Pro Max could be >5 years old, it's worth checking for a weak, aging battery (which can cause connectivity issues.) So...

Does your iPhone 12 Pro Max still have its original battery?

And what's the Maximum Capacity % here?...

Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging

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TWIGGY22

Level 1

12 points

Jan 27, 2026 2:50 AM in response to app12357

iPhone 12 - since upgrading to IOS 26 my phone has: frozen screen, unable to open any apps and unable to close the phone down. The phone gets hot after a few minutes of using. Today, I was unable to open the WALLET to retrieve my train ticket and could not get through the barriers! There is so much delay on opening and closing apps. Text is delayed and extra characters are input because of this. I am worried that the phone is completely unreliable now. Apple - what are you going to do to fix this please??????????

Jan 27, 2026 4:52 AM in response to app12357

I agree!

My biggest complaint is transferring photos. I admit that I forgot to transfer the new photos to my MacBook Pro before upgrading and now I cannot discover how to do it. When connecting my iPad mini-6 by cable my laptop used to see all photos on the iPad - now it cannot. So using the iPad to document things and then organising them on my laptop is now impossible. I will probably have to revert to my iPad mini-4, so that I can function again :-(

Jeff Donald

Level 8

45,546 points

Jan 27, 2026 5:30 AM in response to ontravel2

Have you shared this with the people in the Photos Community? There may not be many picture takers here, but Photo Community may have more members to assist.

These are user communities. Apple and Apple Support do not participate here.

Jan 28, 2026 1:50 PM in response to app12357

Im always on the fence with point updates in ios glad i wad reluctant to install. Imo I take an outside look on the whole decision and a update increases mote bugs. Main reason is every time the battery depletes more. Terrible. Cannot understand the full reason on apple decision. Im a customer habe been for 16 years.

Alancito

Level 7

30,108 points

Jan 28, 2026 2:28 PM in response to giorgio106

giorgio106 wrote: "...the battery depletes more..."

giorgio106 ~ 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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Brontovc

Level 1

12 points

Jan 29, 2026 7:18 AM in response to app12357

My biggest problem is T Mobilesignal strength continually drops to 1 bar; not enough to receive a call. It's like the cellular receiver goes into standby. It can wake up by selecting update and "about" that wakes up the reception. A few minutes later; 1 bar.

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