Apple has rolled out iOS 26 public beta to let people test the upcoming software. While the public beta is comparatively more stable, it’s not without flaws. Recently, a good many folks have complained about the unexpected battery drain on iPhone after the iOS 26 public beta update. Read on…
Fix Rapid Battery Drain on iPhone After iOS 26 Public Beta Update
From incompatible apps to misconfigured settings to persistent bugs, there are many reasons why the battery drain crops up on iPhone.
1. Disable Background App Refresh
Note that background App Refresh can drain power by allowing apps to run processes when not in use. Hence, disabling it can significantly conserve battery on your iPhone and iPad.
- To do so, head over to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
- Select Off to turn it off completely.
- You can also disable the app’s background activity on a per-app basis.

2. Check Battery Usage by Apps
It’s worth pointing out that identifying power-hungry apps helps in managing battery usage effectively.
- Navigate to the Settings app on your iPhone > Battery.
- Now, scroll down to view battery usage by app.
- Then, uninstall or restrict the background activity of apps that consume excessive power.

3. Reduce Screen Brightness and Auto-Lock Time
Be warned that a bright screen is a major contributor to battery drain.
- On your iPhone/iPad, dive into the Settings app > Display & Brightness.
- Now, reduce the Brightness and enable Auto-Brightness.
- Next, set Auto-Lock to 30 seconds or 1 minute under Settings > Display & Brightness > Auto-Lock.
4. Turn Off Location Services
Be aware of the non-stop location tracking can impact battery life significantly.
- Go to Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services

- Turn off entirely or choose While Using the App for essential apps.
- Disable System Services that are not important under System Services in the same menu.
5. Disable Push Email and Fetch Manually
Push email keeps the device constantly active, affecting battery performance.
- On your iOS and iPadOS device, dive into the Settings app > Apps> Mail > Accounts > Fetch New Data.
- Turn off Push.
- Set Fetch to Manually or increase the interval to Hourly.
6. Update All Apps to the Latest Version
It’s also important to mention that the outdated apps may not be optimized for iOS 26, leading to excessive battery use.
- To do so, open the App Store on your device > tap your profile icon and scroll down to Available Updates.
- Now, tap Update All.

7. Turn Off Unused Features Like Bluetooth, Airdrop, and Haptic Feedback
These background features, though small, add up in battery consumption.
- Hence, disable Bluetooth from Control Center or the Settings app if not in use.
- Turn off AirDrop when not needed.
- Navigate to Settings > Sounds & Haptics and reduce or turn off System Haptics.
8. Enable Low Power Mode
Low Power Mode is exceptionally useful. What makes it so reliable is the ability to temporarily reduce background activity and extend battery life.
- Fire up the Settings app > Battery > then, toggle on Low Power Mode.

- You can also add it to Control Center for quick access.
9. Reset All Settings
No solution as yet? Resetting settings is useful for deeper issues. If the rapid iPhone drain has not yet been resolved, factory reset your device.
- Launch the Settings app > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.

- Don’t worry about losing your data, as a factory reset won’t harm any of your data.
Wrapping up..!
There you go! Battery issues are common with early beta software, and iOS 26 is no exception. By following the steps above, you can reduce power consumption and enjoy the new features without sacrificing battery life.
As Apple continues refining iOS 26 in future betas, performance should improve. If the issue remains severe, consider submitting feedback via the Feedback Assistant or temporarily reverting to a stable iOS version.