Good news! This free iPhone update fixes a pesky charging bug

Few things are more panic-inducing than plugging in a dead phone and seeing absolutely nothing happen. And if you’ve run into that problem on an iPhone 17 or iPhone Air recently, Apple says it now has a fix in the form of a free iPhone update.

• Read more: iPhone 18 Pro Max leak shows a chunkier camera bump – and it might actually be a good thing

Spotted by MacRumors the company has released iOS 26.5.1 – a small software update aimed specifically at the iPhone Air and the entire iPhone 17. According to Apple’s release notes, the update addresses an issue that could prevent wired charging from working properly when the battery was nearly empty.

Apple says the bug affected only a small number of users, but it was frustrating enough to leave some phones seemingly unresponsive.

The issue first gained wider attention in April after reports began appearing online from affected users. Reports suggested that the issue appeared when an affected iPhone completely ran out of battery. After plugging in a USB-C cable, the phone would sometimes fail to display the usual charging indicator or power back on, making it appear as though the handset wasn’t charging at all.

In some cases, users found that switching to a MagSafe charger appeared to bring the phone back to life after around 10 to 15 minutes, even when wired charging seemed unresponsive.

Apple hasn’t detailed the root cause, but it says that iOS 26.5.1 addresses the problem. The company’s official release notes state that the update fixes an issue that “may prevent wired charging” on iPhone Air and iPhone 17 models when the battery is nearly drained.

If you own an affected device, it’s probably worth installing the update sooner rather than later. With WWDC 2026 kicking off on 8 June and iOS 27 expected to take centre stage, iOS 26.5.1 is likely to be one of the final maintenance updates before Apple turns its attention to the next generation of iPhone software.

• Read more: We now know who will lead Apple into the future – and it’s great news for new products

Esat Dedezade Contributor

About

Esat has been a gadget fan ever since his tiny four-year-old brain was captivated by a sound-activated dancing sunflower. From there it was a natural progression to a Sega Mega Drive, a brief obsession with hedgehogs, and a love for all things tech. After 7 years as a writer and deputy editor for Stuff, Esat ventured out into the corporate world, spending three years as Editor of Microsoft's European News Centre. Now a freelance writer, his appetite for shiny gadgets has no bounds. Oh, and like all good human beings, he's very fond of cats.