Apple has emergency stopped the rollout of the 26.2.1 software update following a massive wave of complaints about the performance of mobile devices. The package, originally designed to prepare the brand’s ecosystem for integration with the new AirTag 2, resulted in serious operational failures ranging from accelerated battery drain to the inoperability of essential features.
iPhone owners who performed the installation reported an immediate degradation in usability, transforming high-performance devices into unstable and unreliable units. Diante from the critical scenario and the volume of reports on technical forums, the technology giant blocked the digital signature of the firmware, a measure that prevents new updates and also blocks the return to previous stable versions, leaving affected users waiting for a fix.
Collapse in biometrics and web browsing
One of the most severe problems identified by consumers involves the unusability of the Face ID, a biometric security system fundamental to the company’s ecosystem. Após the update, the feature stops responding, forcing users to rely exclusively on numeric passwords to unlock the screen and authenticate in banking applications, which drastically reduces the agility and convenience of the product.
The internet browsing experience was also compromised, with the Safari browser showing constant instability. Relatos point to the sudden closing of tabs and crashes that prevent web pages from loading completely. Essa failure directly affects the productivity of those who use their smartphones for work, randomly interrupting reading and research sessions.
Overheating and energy consumption
The impact on hardware has generated concern, especially on high-end models like the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Battery life has suffered a drastic reduction, with devices that previously supported a full day of use requiring frequent recharges every few hours. The operating system appears to keep background processes running continuously, draining energy without the user actively using the device.
Associated with excessive energy consumption, overheating of devices has become a common complaint. Devices reach high temperatures even at rest, which indicates excessive use of processing capacity. Especialistas warn that this condition, if prolonged, can accelerate the chemical degradation of battery components due to the constant thermal stress to which they are subjected.
Storage and connectivity failures
Another serious technical anomaly involves the management of the device’s internal space. Usuários noticed that after the update, about 30 GB of storage is inexplicably occupied by “system data”. Esse bug creates a logical block that prevents freeing up space, making it impossible to save new photos, videos or install other applications, without cleaning tools being able to resolve the issue.
The stability of network connections has also been affected, with frequent interruptions to Wi-Fi and mobile data services. Chamadas video and media streaming are abruptly cut off, isolating the device from reliable communications. The current recommendation is that users who have not yet updated their systems avoid version 26.2.1 until the company releases a definitive and safe correction patch.