November 6, 2025, 11:27 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Many iPhone users often complain about shorter battery life after installing iPhone updates. Apple has now responded to the complaints and explained in an official video why this is completely normal.
Since mid-September 2025, iOS 26 has been available. Millions of users have already installed the new software to try out the revamped user interface, optimized widgets, and new AI features. While the innovations are exciting, many iPhone owners report significantly reduced battery life after the update.
Background Processes Strain the System
As Apple explains in a support video, the numerous background processes after installing an update are the main cause. Once an iPhone is updated or newly set up, the system analyzes data, indexes content, and optimizes settings. These processes require a lot of computing power and temporarily increase energy consumption.
Apple emphasizes that the effect is only temporary. After a few days, the battery life should return to normal once the background activities are completed. How long this takes depends on the amount of data, the installed apps, and the device’s performance. There is no progress bar, but in the battery settings, there is an indication of whether the device setup is still running. Only when this entry disappears is the process complete.
Tips for Longer Battery Life
On its support page, Apple offers tips on how to save battery: In the first few days after the update, users should avoid overusing their iPhones and keep them regularly connected to Wi-Fi. This prevents background processes from drawing additional energy over the cellular network. Patience is also required–after the system optimizations are complete, battery performance should return to normal levels.