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iOS 26 Uptake Lags as Design Overhaul and Glitches Deter Upgrades

Only 15.4% of iPhone users are on Apple's latest software, according to StatCounter.

Overview

  • Users report that the Liquid Glass redesign hurts readability and that new icon tinting makes apps harder to identify, despite tweaks like adjustable blur.
  • Reworked menus are drawing criticism for adding steps to simple tasks, including cycling camera aspect ratios and exposing copy/paste options behind extra taps in Safari.
  • Typing reliability is a persistent complaint, with reports of random word insertions and unwelcome autocorrections on iOS 26.
  • Battery drain after updating is a common gripe; Apple’s adaptive power mode can help but is limited to iPhone 15 Pro models and newer.
  • An Apple Intelligence upgrade to Siri is expected later in the spring, with reports indicating Google’s Gemini could power new capabilities in an iOS 26.4 release.