Apple’s latest iPhone update is drawing mixed reactions from users, with some reporting new problems instead of improvements. iOS 26.2.1 was released on January 26 for devices that support iOS 26 and introduced support for Apple’s new item tracker, AirTag 2, along with several bug fixes. However, a section of users says the update has caused fresh issues across different iPhone models.
According to reports highlighted by a technology publication and user posts on forums and social platforms, some iPhones are facing app crashes, freezing, lag, and connectivity problems after the update. Battery drain appears to be one of the most common complaints, with users saying their devices lose charge much faster than before. A few users also reported losing all Safari tabs during installation, while others noticed that saved places and favorites in Apple Maps had disappeared.
More serious concerns include Face ID performance. Several users say Face ID has become slower or fails more often since updating. In some cases, Face ID sign in was disabled inside third party apps. Battery issues have been reported even on newer devices such as the iPhone 17 Pro Max. One user also claimed that the update caused storage to fill up so much that the phone became “unusable”. At the same time, many users say their phones are running smoothly, with higher end models reportedly showing stable performance. The overall number of affected users remains limited for now.
Apple has also stopped signing iOS 26.2, which means users cannot downgrade if they are facing problems. iOS 26.2.1 does fix earlier issues such as overlapping icons in the control panel and includes general system stability improvements. Still, iOS 26 has been a major redesign, and some instability has followed. While iPhones are known for long term reliability, recurring bugs are making some users think twice before installing new updates, even if the issues are not yet dealbreakers.
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