Apple released iOS 26.5 on May 11, and the update brings end-to-end encrypted RCS messaging to your iPhone, as well as dozens of bug fixes. After you download the update, it might seem like your iPhone’s battery is draining faster than usual, but don’t worry. Apple wrote online that this is normal and — most important — temporary.
Apple released a statement in September 2025, saying if your iPhone battery drains quickly after downloading an update, it’s nothing to worry about.
“This is normal, as your device needs time to complete the setup process in the background, including indexing data and files for search, downloading new assets, and updating apps,” Apple wrote in a support page. “Immediately after completing an update, particularly a major release, you might notice a temporary impact on battery life and thermal performance.”
But your personal iPhone use could be contributing to battery drain, too. Apple said some features might need more resources to function, so depending on how much you use your iPhone, you might “notice a small impact on performance and/or battery life.”
So while your device might experience some additional battery drain at first, it should be a temporary issue after you download iOS 26.2. If you find you’re using your iPhone more after downloading iOS 26.2, that could be contributing to your battery drain, too.
For more iOS news, here’s what to know about iOS 26.5 and iOS 26.4. You can also check out our iOS 26 cheat sheet for other tips and tricks.
Watch this: Here’s Why Your Phone’s Battery Sucks and What to Do About It