Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET
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ZDNET's key takeaways
Increased battery drain is normal following a major OS update.
Your phone needs time to complete the setup in the background.
iOS 26 offers a new Adaptive Power mode to extend your battery charge.
Raise your hand if you've updated your iPhone to iOS 26 and noticed the battery draining faster. Yes, we've heard that complaint many times, especially after installing a major new operating system. But it's not just you. There's a reason this happens, and Apple is here to explain.
Also: iOS 26 is now live - here's how to download it (and which iPhones support it)
In a support page about software updates refreshed on Monday, Apple clarified why it's important to update your device's OS and how such updates work. New versions like iOS 26 kick in new features and improvements, enhanced security, and bug fixes. As such, you'll want to update your iPhone for security reasons even if you're not all that excited about the latest features.
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