Unable to download photos from Messages app since update to ios 26. Apple customer support not providing any solutions. Please help!

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Level 1

4 points

Unable to download photos from Messages app since update to ios 26. Apple customer support not providing any solutions. Please help!

I have an iphone 17 plus. With the recent update to ios 26 (26.2) I have experienced major glitches and issues.

The most significant issue is that I cannot download photos from within the Messages app older than a day or two. My device shows it is syncing with iCloud. I have ample space on my device to download the photos (10+ GB of free space). This issue is not specific to any particular contact.

I reached out to Apple support a month ago and replicated the issue and did a screen recording. This was elevated to engineering. Almost a month later there is zero movement on this ticket. The senior advisor I spoke with in my follow-up was unable to give me any action to take or any next steps NOR any timeline for a fix.

See attached screenshot for the typical response I get when trying to download a photo. NOTE: It shows a "progress pie chart" but it does not progress. It will just sit on this screen forever. Thanks!

iPhone 16 Plus, iOS 26

Posted on Feb 3, 2026 11:28 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 3, 2026 4:38 PM in response to keith43

Sometimes images sent through iMessage with an Android user turn into a JPEG file to download instead of showing the preview. What you can do is ask the person to send the photo again, and if it isn’t with an Android user being messaged you should just be able to tap and hold down on the photo and select “save to photos” to save it to the Apple Photos app, or you can select “Share” and export or save it to files (bottom). As for it syncing with iCloud you should see this link: If your iCloud Photos are not syncing - Apple Support and Back up and sync your photos and videos with iCloud - Apple Support.

Other sources you can use:

You can also try to restart your iPhone (Restart your iPhone - Apple Support or Force restart iPhone - Apple Support) and see if that works.

If this doesn’t work or wasn’t what you needed let me know and I’ll suggest other troubleshooting options.

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Answer 2

Feb 4, 2026 5:10 AM in response to keith43

Replying to; “I appreciate you taking the time to reply. These are not messages with Android users… It’s so frustrating. “

I’m not sure how to help you then, it’s likely an issue on Apple’s side.

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Answer 3

keith43 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 3, 2026 4:53 PM in response to AverageTechGuy

I appreciate you taking the time to reply. These are not messages with Android users. They are fellow iPhone users. I even have this issue with people in my Apple family circle.

I have tried all the restarts, etc. on my phone. I even “Un synced” the messages and then turned it back on to allow it to resync. It shows it is syncing. I can see the thumbnails when I click on the contact in the messages. When I click the thumbnail to look at the full photo is when the problems occur. It’s so frustrating.

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Answer 4

omm630

Level 1

14 points

Feb 3, 2026 9:48 PM in response to keith43

keith43, i spent 3+hrs on the phone with apple this afternoon and after rebooting everything under the sun, i'm still having issues with downloading photos (that are in MY camera roll) that i've shared with contacts over the years and can't access from the message app.

this is not my only issue with the latest update and apple are back peddling without answers.

next step is to visit my local apple store (hello 4 hrs)

although the technician (supervisor) was helpful, it didn't help my situation and the funny part is, they sent me a link to keep my case open and i've clicked on that link 50 times and it never opens to my case!!!

bs apple

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Answer 5

keith43 Author

Level 1

4 points

Feb 4, 2026 7:56 AM in response to omm630

Sounds like we are having very similar issues. It’s terrible and Apple Support’s lack of ownership about this issue is very disheartening about the direction of the company. A simple timeline from them is not a big ask.

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