iOS 26 Complete Update Guide
iOS 26 Beta is now released! Want to know how to quickly update to iOS 26 Beta? Or have you encountered problems while using iOS 26 Beta and want to fix bugs or go back to the stable version of iOS 18? Use ReiBoot for iOS to solve all problems!
Preparations before updating to iOS 26
Before updating, please do the following three preparations in advance to avoid upgrade failure.
Check Storage Space
Make sure your iPhone or iPad has at least 10 GB of free space before starting the update.
Use a Stable Internet Connection
A fast and reliable Wi-Fi connection helps avoid long download times or update failures
due to large firmware files.
Charge Your Device
Keep your device charged or plugged in to prevent interruptions during the update process.
How to Clear Storage on iPhone Before Upgrading to iOS 26
The iOS 26 installation package is around 10GB. Here are three effective ways to free up space on your iPhone to ensure a smooth installation.
Using iCloud
- Open Settings and tap [your name] at the top.
- Tap iCloud > Saved to iCloud.
- Select apps or categories using the most space (e.g. Photos, Backups).
- Turn on and tap Sync Now
- After syncing to iCloud, delete local data to free up space.
Using iCareFone
- Download iCareFone on your computer and connect your iPhone to the computer.
- Select Bacup & Restore.
- Select the type of data and choose where to save the backup.
- After backup, delete data on your iPhone to free up space.
Using iTunes
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using a USB cable.
- Open iTunes and click the device icon when it appears.
- Go to the "Summary" tab in the left sidebar.
- Under "Backups", select "This computer" and check "Encrypt local backup" if needed.
- Click "Back Up Now" to start the backup process.
How to Update to iOS 26
How-to steps:
- Launch the ReiBoot and connect your iPhone to the computer.
- Click in "iOS Upgrade/Downgrade".
- Choose the Upgrade option once prompted.
- Download the latest firmware package by clicking on "Download".
- Now you have successfully installed iOS 26.
Advantages:
- No iTunes required, very easy to use.
- Built-in repair function can solve system errors and freezes during the upgrade process.
- Device data will not be deleted during the upgrade process to protect data security.
- It also helps to safely downgrade to an older officially signed version.
Disadvantages:
- You need a computer and a cable.
- This is a paid method.
How-to steps:
- Download and install the latest version of iTunes to your computer.
- Connect your iPhone to your computer using a data cable and trust the device.
- Enter Recovery Mode.
- Select your device in iTunes, click Check for Updates, then select Update.
Advantages:
- Officially supported, safe and stable.
- This is a free method.
Disadvantages:
- The process involves multiple steps and can be difficult for beginners.
- Choosing "Restore" will erase all data, so a backup is necessary beforehand.
- Driver or system compatibility issues may cause iTunes to fail in recognizing the device.
How-to steps:
- On iPhone, open Settings, then tap General
- Tap Software Update and download the iOS 26 installation file.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to reboot and complete the upgrade.
Advantages:
- It's a free method.
- No need to connect to a computer or data cable.
Disadvantages:
- iPhone often stuck on update screen.
- Stable, fast Wi-Fi is required to avoid download failures.
- Updates, especially major ones, may take a long time to download and install.
iOS 26 Known Bugs & Issues
Whether you’re stuck on "Checking for Update", dealing with a laggy interface, or finding the new Liquid Glass effect more glitchy than smooth—these problems are more common than you think. Below, we’ve listed the 16 most reported iOS 26 issues—plus detailed steps to fix each one.
iOS 26 System & Performance Issues
iOS 26 Built-in App Malfunctions
iOS 26 Interface & UX Glitches
Show More
iOS 26 Laggy
After installing iOS 26, many users report a laggy and unresponsive experience, with choppy animations and slower app transitions. The new Liquid Glass interface, while visually appealing, puts extra load on the system—especially on older iPhones—leading to performance drops. This has quickly become one of the most common issues reported since the beta launch.
Quick Fix:
Restart your iPhone: Hold Side (or Top) + Volume Up/Down buttons → Slide to power off, wait 30s, power on.
Remove the case temporarily and avoid placing your phone in direct sunlight.
Close all background apps: Swipe up and hold to access the App Switcher, then swipe apps away.
Reduce motion and transparency: Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size → Turn on Reduce Transparency → Back and tap on the Motion → Reduce Motion.
Downgrade to iOS 18 and wait for a more stable iOS 26 release.
iOS 26 Unable to Check for Update
This is one of the first and most frequently reported bugs in the iOS 26 developer beta. After installing the beta, many users find themselves stuck on the "Update Requested" screen or see an "Unable to Check for Update" error—even with a stable Wi-Fi connection.
Quick Fix:
Restart your iPhone: Hold Side (or Top) + Volume Up/Down buttons → Slide to power off, wait 30s, power on.
Ensure strong Wi-Fi and charging connection.
Toggle Airplane Mode: Go to Settings > Airplane Mode, turn it on for 10 seconds, then turn it off to reset your connection.
Many users checking for updates after installing iOS 26 beta are actually looking to downgrade to iOS 18. You can easily downgrade using ReiBoot, which lets you return to a stable iOS version in just a few clicks—no iTunes, no hassle.
iOS 26 Mail App Not Loading
Tapping the Mail app results in a blank screen, frequent crashes, or stuck sync.
Quick Fix:
Restart your iPhone: Hold Side (or Top) + Volume Up/Down buttons → Slide to power off, wait 30s, power on.
Force-close the app: Swipe up → Hold → Swipe Mail away.
Delete and re-add email accounts: Settings > Mail > Accounts.
Disable and re-enable Mail for your account: Toggle mail syncing off/on.
Downgrade to iOS 18 and wait for a more stable iOS 26 release.
iOS 26 Notifications Not Showing
Texts and app alerts arrive, but no sound or banner is displayed on the lock screen or home screen.
Quick Fix:
Restart your iPhone: Hold Side (or Top) + Volume Up/Down buttons → Slide to power off, wait 30s, power on.
Check per-app notification settings: Settings > Notifications > [App] → Enable Allow Notifications, Lock Screen, Banners, and Sounds.
Turn off Focus/DND mode: Settings > Focus.
Check if Scheduled Summary is enabled and disable it.
Downgrade to iOS 18 and wait for a more stable iOS 26 release.
iOS 26 Wi‑Fi Issues
Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting or shows "No Internet Connection" even when other devices are fine.
Quick Fix:
Restart iPhone and your router.
Forget and rejoin Wi-Fi network: Settings > Wi‑Fi > Tap "i" > Forget This Network.
Disable Private Wi-Fi Address: Tap the network > toggle off Private Address.
Reset Network Settings: Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
Downgrade to iOS 18 and wait for a more stable iOS 26 release.
iOS 26 Bluetooth Issues
iPhones fail to connect to Bluetooth devices or audio stutters even with compatible accessories.
Quick Fix:
Restart iPhone and accessory.
Forget and re-pair device: Settings > Bluetooth > "i" icon > Forget This Device.
Ensure Bluetooth is enabled: Settings > Bluetooth.
Remove any Voice Control features: Settings > Accessibility > Voice Control.
Downgrade to iOS 18 and wait for a more stable iOS 26 release.
How to Downgrade iOS 26 without Data Loss
Method 1：Downgrade iOS 26 with ReiBoot
If you are a tech novice and don't know how to downgrade iOS, or you want to save time and downgrade in
the fastest way, you can use Tenorshare ReiBoot. This tool can downgrade
iOS 26 in one click and ensure that you can downgrade without losing data!
ReiBoot - The best tool to downgrade iOS 26 without data loss !
- Downgrade to the latest stable version of iOS without iTunes.
- Easily back up before downgrade and restore after with one click.
- Repair 150+ iOS issues, including devices stuck on Recovery Mode, update screen, blue or black screen, Apple logo, and more.
- One-click to enter or exit recovery mode for free.
How to downgrade iOS 26 without ReiBoot:
Video：How to Revert iOS 26 Back to iOS 18
Method 2：Uninstall iOS 26 with iTunes
Prerequisites to uninstall iOS 26 with iTunes:
- Launch the ReiBoot and connect your iPhone to the computer.
- Click in "iOS Upgrade/Downgrade".
- Choose the Upgrade option once prompted.
- Download the latest firmware package by clicking on "Download".
- Now you have successfully installed iOS 26.
How to go back to iOS 18 with iTunes:
Note:
If this method doesn't work for you, it is recommended to use Tenorshare ReiBoot.
Video：How to Downgrade iOS 26 to 18 Safely without Data Loss
Method 3：Remove iOS 26 Beta in Settings
Restrictions & Things to Know First:
- This method doesn't immediately downgrade your iOS.
- It’s only applicable if you’re using the iOS beta, not the official release.
- After removal, you’ll need to wait for the next official iOS update to appear.
- Your iPhone will then stop receiving beta updates and switch back to the regular public update track.
- This method is only suitable for iOS 16.3.1 or earlier versions.
How to downgrade iOS 26 to 18 without computer:
Note:
This method is only suitable for iOS 16.3.1 or earlier versions. If this method doesn't work for you, it is recommended to use Tenorshare ReiBoot.
