iOS 26.5.1 Update: Resolves iPhone 17 Wired Charging Issue

Apple has recently rolled out iOS 26.5.1, and unlike most minor updates, this one actually addresses a specific issue that some users of the latest iPhone models have been facing.

Reports from iPhone 17 and iPhone Air owners have surfaced in recent months, highlighting a problem where a device with a low battery fails to power back on when connected to a wired charger. Instead, users have seen their iPhones remain unresponsive, giving the impression that the device is completely dead.

Various suggestions on Reddit have been made to work around this issue, such as placing the iPhone on a MagSafe charger, connecting it to a MacBook, or using a wired charger without a MagSafe case.

Some users have speculated that the magnets in the MagSafe case may have caused confusion, preventing the iPhone from charging over USB-C. However, these are anecdotal accounts, and it’s unclear if the problem occurred without a MagSafe case.

The extent of this issue is uncertain, as it only affected users of the iPhone 17 or iPhone Air who allowed their battery to fully drain and used a wired charger (possibly with a MagSafe case). While it may not have been widespread, it was more than just isolated incidents on Reddit. In April, 9to5Mac reported a similar experience. The recommended workaround was using a MagSafe charger, which an Apple Store Genius would also suggest.

Despite reports dating back to November, the problem persisted through several iOS 26 updates, including the recent iOS 26.5 release. Fortunately, Apple has now addressed the issue in iOS 26.5.1:

Even if you haven’t encountered this issue, it’s advisable to update to iOS 26.5.1 as a precaution. While this update doesn’t address any security vulnerabilities, as noted by Mayo in April, not being able to recharge a dead iPhone could pose problems in various scenarios.

While some commenters suggested that this issue is typical of lithium-ion batteries, this specific bug was more complex than a simple voltage threshold. It’s normal for an iPhone to take some time to power up from a dead battery, but users with this problem were waiting for hours, not minutes. One user even monitored the voltage with a USB amp meter, indicating that the device was attempting to charge but encountering obstacles.

If you’re facing this issue and haven’t updated to iOS 26.5.1 yet, or if the problem persists after the update, simply placing your iPhone on a MagSafe charger for about 15 minutes seems to resolve it. It’s uncertain if MagSafe battery packs can revive a dead iPhone, so it’s advisable to update to iOS 26.5.1 and have a MagSafe puck handy or avoid letting your iPhone fully discharge until the issue is definitively resolved.

global $wp;
. ‘/’;

??>