Level 1

40 points

iPhones not charging with Apple cables after iOS 26.3

Hello everyone,

I’m experiencing a strange charging issue after updating to iOS 26.3 and would like to know if anyone else has encountered something similar.

Devices:

iPhone 15 - iOS 26.3
iPhone 16 Pro - iOS 26.3
AirPods Pro (2nd generation, USB-C)
Original Apple USB-C power adapter
Two original Apple USB-C cables (from two different iPhones)

Description of the issue:

After updating to iOS 26.3, both iPhones started having problems charging with the original Apple USB-C cables.

Here is the behavior:

When the phone is powered on, it does not charge with the original Apple cable.
The Apple cable only works:

In one specific orientation (if I flip the USB-C connector, it does not charge).
And only if the phone is powered off.

If I connect the charger while the phone is turned off:

The phone turns on automatically and starts charging.
If I then disconnect it, I cannot charge it again using the original cable unless I reboot the phone.

I tested two different original Apple cables - same behavior.
If I use a third-party USB-C cable:

Both iPhones charge normally.
Charging works in both connector orientations.
No need to reboot.

AirPods Pro 2 charge normally with third-party cables as well.

This makes me think the issue could be software-related, possibly introduced in iOS 26.3, rather than a hardware defect - especially since:

The problem appears on two different iPhones.
Diagnostics performed by Apple Support showed no hardware issues.
The issue started after the update.

Apple Support suggested visiting an official store, but diagnostics didn’t detect any hardware failure.

I could downgrade to iOS 26.2 to test whether this is firmware-related (possibly something affecting the USB-C power controller), but I prefer not to risk losing data.

Has anyone experienced a similar issue after updating to iOS 26.3?

Any suggestions or insights would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

iPhone 15, iOS 26

Posted on Feb 27, 2026 1:17 AM

Similar questions

32 replies

Feb 27, 2026 8:34 AM in response to Him4enko

I think we’ve reached a dead end. I’m telling you it’s hardware. It’s impossible for an iOS update to affect your cable(s) and charger. iOS updates do not affect AirPods. The firmware installed during an iOS update has nothing to do AirPod firmware. You are linking the two and that disproves your theory.

LD150

Level 10

103,976 points

Feb 27, 2026 12:11 PM in response to Him4enko

Him4enko wrote:

I’m not sure why the comment about which countries Apple does business with was brought up, as it doesn’t seem technically related to the charging issue.

...

If you were in Russia you would have q great difficulty getting Apple Support. I meant that Apple may not support Belarus either, it being a strong Russian ally. If they do support you then great.

I think that you should set your forum default sort order to "Oldest" in your user preferences to follow the thread as it was posted. You may follow the argument better.

I still feel, like some others, that your phones are damaged in the power port area.

TheLittles

Level 10

205,423 points

Mar 14, 2026 5:47 PM in response to Pytry

"I have an iPhone 12 Pro Max, which uses the lightning connector. It won’t charge while turned on when connected using a USB-A port with a 2.4A power source. It will charge when turned off or when connected to a USB-C PD port. I noticed the change immediately after updating. I verified the cable is good and the port has power, but even with a brand new cable and plug the phone will not charge when connected to a USB-A powersource."

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Do you part, and report this to Apple.

Mar 22, 2026 7:00 AM in response to lkrupp

Yes that’s very odd. The cable shouldn’t make any difference unless it’s broken or too long ( back to the resistance measurement). The phone is “ looking” at the charger. There’s a chip in lightening connectors to enable it to be plugged in either way around. I think USB C connectors must also have a chip. Both just waiting to fail!!

Feb 27, 2026 4:06 AM in response to Him4enko

Were diagnostics done in an Apple Store or online or both? What country are you in?

Him4enko Author

Level 1

40 points

Feb 27, 2026 4:10 AM in response to Jeff Donald

Diagnostics were performed online, as I do not have the opportunity to visit an Apple Store. I am located in Belarus.

Feb 27, 2026 4:22 AM in response to Him4enko

What’s the model number of your iPhones? Are you using the original braided cables that came with the iPhones? You stated Apple cables, but they should be a braided cloth material.