iOS 26 Is Awful — Why iPhone Users Are Revolting

• Key Takeaways:

• Apple’s iOS 26.2 update has triggered widespread complaints about performance, UI changes and battery reporting.
• Reported issues include slower responsiveness, new animations, touch-sensitivity oddities and harder-to-find settings.
• Community reaction on Reddit, Bluesky and other forums ranges from frustration to outright rejection; some noted the update as “foundationally bad.”
• Practical fixes are limited: toggling new features, adjusting display settings, or waiting for patches from Apple.

Context: a polarizing update

On Dec. 18, 2025, WIRED columnist Sloane Crosley described the experience many iPhone users are now sharing: after installing iOS 26.2, everyday tasks feel slower and less reliable. The update, which Apple distributed broadly, rearranged interface elements and introduced new visual effects that some users find intrusive.

Performance and battery concerns

Users report noticeable lag—taps and swipes taking longer to register—and unexpected battery behavior. Lock-screen photos now default to fading to save power, and some phones display granular battery-status messages (for example, “24m to 80%”) that many find unhelpful and alarming.

Crosley and others noted that even relatively new iPhones show degraded responsiveness, suggesting the issue is tied to the software build rather than aging hardware.

UI changes and usability regressions

iOS 26.2 introduces revised animations, new transparency effects often called “Liquid Glass,” and relocated search fields and controls. Complaints include overzealous text-bubble animations, screenshot handling that feels fiddly, and difficulty posting images downloaded to the device.

Some features appear hard to disable; users joke about needing a cryptic ritual to turn off certain effects. The overall visual contrast and discoverability of functions have also been criticized.

Community reaction

Discussion on Reddit, Bluesky and other platforms has been intense. Author and musician John Darnielle posted that the update is “foundationally bad,” and various threads collect anecdotal reports ranging from mild annoyance to extreme frustration.

For many, the shared outcry has created a sense of community, even as it highlights how dependent people are on phones that are meant to be seamless.

What you can do now

• Check for immediate Apple patches and install updates cautiously; wait a day or two if you rely on your phone heavily.
• Disable new visual features (reduce motion, transparency) in Accessibility and Display settings to improve responsiveness.
• Monitor battery usage and reset settings if necessary (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset), but back up first.
• Report bugs via Apple’s Feedback Assistant or Apple Support; high-profile user reports can accelerate fixes.

Apple will likely roll out refinements; for now, users should balance the desire for new features against the risk of degraded day-to-day performance.