Apple has released iOS 26.5.1 to fix a frustrating charging problem affecting some iPhone 17 and iPhone Air users. The issue caused certain devices to remain completely unresponsive after the battery drained to zero, even when connected to a wired charger.
The problem first started gaining attention earlier this year when users reported that their iPhones would not power back on after shutting down from a fully depleted battery. The bug was not limited to one model. Reports included the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air.
In affected cases, plugging the iPhone into a cable did not trigger charging, show the battery icon, or bring the device back to life. For many users, the phone appeared to be completely dead, creating a serious inconvenience for anyone relying only on wired charging.
Some users discovered that wireless charging could temporarily solve the problem. Placing the affected iPhone on a wireless charger would sometimes allow the battery to begin charging again, eventually making the device boot normally. However, this was only a workaround and not a reliable fix, especially for users who did not own a wireless charger.
Apple has now addressed the issue with the release of iOS 26.5.1. Unlike larger updates that include multiple new features or security improvements, this update appears to focus mainly on resolving the wired charging bug.
According to Apple’s update notes, iOS 26.5.1 fixes an issue affecting a small number of users where wired charging may not work on iPhone Air and iPhone 17 models when the battery is nearly drained.
If you own an iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, or iPhone Air, installing the latest iOS update is strongly recommended, especially if you have experienced charging problems after your battery ran out.
To update your iPhone, open Settings, go to General, then tap Software Update. If iOS 26.5.1 is available, download and install it while your device has enough battery or is connected to a reliable power source.
This update should bring relief to users who have been dealing with the issue for months. While the bug only affected a limited number of devices, it was serious enough to leave some iPhones unusable without wireless charging. With iOS 26.5.1 now available, iPhone 17 and iPhone Air owners should have a more reliable charging experience when their battery gets critically low.
