iPhone Slow After iOS 26 Update? Try These Fixes!

After installing a major update like iOS 26, it's common for an iPhone to feel slower temporarily due to ongoing background activities including photo indexing, app re-optimizations, and system recalibrations. From my experience, one of the best first steps is to simply be patient and give your phone some time plugged into power and connected to Wi-Fi. This allows those background tasks to complete without draining your battery. Another tip I've found very helpful is to regularly check your iPhone storage. Low free storage space can significantly impact your device's performance, causing apps to load slower and the system to lag. I recommend going to Settings > General > iPhone Storage, where you can identify large files or unused apps to delete or offload. Apple’s “Offload Unused Apps” feature can automatically remove apps you don’t use frequently but keep their data intact. If you’re still experiencing slowness after completing these steps, make sure your iOS 26 version is up to date. Apple often releases minor updates to fix bugs and improve performance that were discovered after the initial release. To check, navigate to Settings > General > Software Update and install any available updates. In addition, closing unnecessary apps running in the background and restarting your device can sometimes provide an immediate performance boost. Adjusting visual effects and reducing motion via Settings > Accessibility can also help if your phone struggles with animations. Ultimately, these practical fixes have helped me and many others restore smooth operation on iPhones following major iOS upgrades. Patience during the initial settling process, smart storage management, and keeping software current are key to maintaining your iPhone’s optimal speed after updating to iOS 26.