That’s weird. I run the RC of 26.3 and battery was fine until I got 26.4 beta (had to do it in order to update my Apple Watch).
Do you run any games or battery intensive apps on there, sir?
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iOS 26 battery life thread.
- Thread starter goldmac2006
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Do you run any games or battery intensive apps on there, sir?
bogdanw
macrumors G3
After installing iOS 26 my iPhone says "Your battery’s health is significantly degraded". Maximum Capacity is 81%. Is this expected?
The support article doesn't give a percentage, the image shows 79%
https://support.apple.com/en-us/101575
The support article doesn't give a percentage, the image shows 79%
https://support.apple.com/en-us/101575
After going from 18.7.3 to 26.4 on my 15 Pro, initially battery life was not much worse. By now I think it might be a bit better than it ever was on 18.x, certainly not worse. (I came on board with 18.3.)
Battery is currently at 93% maximum capacity.
Batterly life was a major concern for me. Other than that I can’t say I like everything about 26.4, but at least I have the latest security updates again.
Battery is currently at 93% maximum capacity.
Batterly life was a major concern for me. Other than that I can’t say I like everything about 26.4, but at least I have the latest security updates again.
Just hit 200 on my launch day iPhone 17 Pro
That’s mad. Mine says 87% and also ‘Peak Performance Capability’ which is standard for a normal battery, you’d assume? 81% is still OK, but they do recommend replacing at 80, if I remember their official stance correctly? I’m sure I saw that. I’d see if you notice a difference, rather than go by those readings.
It’s a bug that shouldn’t even display that information until the battery level drops below 80%.
Are you running a beta version of iOS 26 of your iPhone?
And still a perfect 💯
iPhone 14. After updating to 26.4 battery life has been horrible. It's been a few days and the battery just drains just by using the built in Stopwatch in the clock app.
bogdanw
macrumors G3
No beta, iOS 26.4 clean install (reset & ipsw with Apple Configurator).
I'll drain it completely and maybe it will be fixed.
Populus
macrumors 604
Regardless of what iAppleBytes shows on his latest video, I’ve updated my test drive iPhone SE 3 and, after running the same Geekbench 4 battery test on iOS 26.3 and 26.4, the difference is very small
Now I’m using that test drive SE 3 regularly on 26.4 and after 48-72h the Screen on Time seems very similar, only marginally inferior. On the tests, we’re talking about just 10 to 15 minutes less… so I think overall updating (or doing a clean install) to iOS 26.4 is recommended, not only for the emojis but also for the security fixes, the subtle Liquid Glass improvements, and the keyboard mistyping errors that have been officially fixed on 26.4.
If my test drive does indeed remain with a good battery life, I’ll update (actually, restore with a clean install) all my devices, my remaining SE 3, and my M2 iPad Pro.
Cheers!
PS: I never perform OTA updates. If I cannot perform a clean install using the IPSW, then I’ll update through cable with my Mac on Finder, or through the Apple Devices app with my PC.
Now I’m using that test drive SE 3 regularly on 26.4 and after 48-72h the Screen on Time seems very similar, only marginally inferior. On the tests, we’re talking about just 10 to 15 minutes less… so I think overall updating (or doing a clean install) to iOS 26.4 is recommended, not only for the emojis but also for the security fixes, the subtle Liquid Glass improvements, and the keyboard mistyping errors that have been officially fixed on 26.4.
If my test drive does indeed remain with a good battery life, I’ll update (actually, restore with a clean install) all my devices, my remaining SE 3, and my M2 iPad Pro.
Cheers!
PS: I never perform OTA updates. If I cannot perform a clean install using the IPSW, then I’ll update through cable with my Mac on Finder, or through the Apple Devices app with my PC.
Populus
macrumors 604
I recommend you to just perform a clean install. Use a PC or a Mac and restore your device, if possible, connecting it on DFU mode.
iOS 26.4 has been running great on my A15 powered SE 3 (similar to your iPhone 14) at least after the first 48h. Before I update all my other devices I’ll wait a bit more to see if battery drain appears in the next few days. Fingers crossed 🤞🏻
I use stopwatch every day, for 20min and I lose several % of the battery.
When using official Reddit app, battery life is much worse then it was on 26.3.
I dont wont to perform a fresh install. I dont have many apps to begin with, but I have changed many settings especially to reduce battery usage, and it will take me at least an hour to go through all the settings.
Quick update.
Battery life is back to normal, I haven changed anything on my phone. But it took 4 days for the phone to do what ever it needed to stop draining the battery.
Battery life is back to normal, I haven changed anything on my phone. But it took 4 days for the phone to do what ever it needed to stop draining the battery.
Not really, although I do play Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links about less than an hour a day I have never had issues on iOS 18 before. I usually get about 5 hours or so before having to switch to low power mode.
HouseLannister
macrumors 68040
Don't drain Li-ion batteries completely. That was only ever something you should do with NiCad (because of "memory" issues). This will most likely tick off another percent or two on your health as it damages the battery.
None. I don't think there are measures that can be taken.
I was watching TechNick's YT battery life comparison with different new phones (except samsung S25U) - he does them all the time and he tests using the same apps. What I also like is the fact that he compares the battery life to the very first iOS/android version the phone came in.
iPhone 17 Pro Max on iOS 26.0.1 lasted 12h 13min and on iOS 26.4 9h 41min, that's a HUGE degression.
It's not an AD or something but you can watch his video here
iPhone 17 Pro Max on iOS 26.0.1 lasted 12h 13min and on iOS 26.4 9h 41min, that's a HUGE degression.
It's not an AD or something but you can watch his video here
It’s not a bad deal to drain it once every few months to calibrate the battery meter. Without it, you might end up with the device draining to 1% faster but stuck there for much longer.
It’s when you keep doing that repeatedly, you’d be causing more damage.
Personally, I’d suggest calibrating the battery a week or two after setting it up to avoid unnecessary spikes in voltage due to indexing during the process.
bogdanw
macrumors G3
They drain completely only from the users perspective, but in reality Apple keeps a reserve. That’s why it still displays the message to plug it in.
It didn’t make the service message disappear and the percentage remained at 81.
big change. Do you intend to do a battery replacement when the time comes ?