Warning from former Apple employee about updating to new iOS if you have an older iPhone

Apple’s new iOS 18 seems to be the most anticipated update yet, but for some iPhone users, it could be a nightmare.

A former employee of the tech giant warned that the update could cause lag and battery degradation on older iPhones, such as the X, 11, 12 and 13.

That’s because iOS 18 looks set to be one of the biggest updates in years, packing advanced artificial intelligence.

The new AI features and other updates in the upcoming iOS 18 require more power, which can be taxing on older models.

Apple has previously faced criticism when iPhone users claimed that their smartphones were being deliberately slowed down.

The tech giant had reached a $500 million settlement with American users. The company started paying out the amounts in January. With this, the company wanted to put an end to the so-called ‘batterygate’ scandal from 2017, which was labeled as ‘one of the largest consumer frauds in history’.

Apple agreed to settle a class action lawsuit in 2020, but has yet to admit fault.

When the new iOS 18 launches in mid-September, it will bring a host of new features including ‘Tap to Cash’ to more easily pay with friends, hidden apps and Apple’s own artificial intelligence system: ‘Apple Intelligence.’

But not everyone is enthusiastic about it.

A former Apple employee warned iPhone users on social media about a major downside of iOS 18: it can slow down your phone.

Content creator and former Apple Sales Specialist Tyler Morgan posted a TikTok people with older iPhones are being warned not to download iOS 18.

“If your phone works perfectly and you’re not that worried about the new iOS, don’t update it,” he said in the video.

iPhones as old as the X, which launched in 2018, support iOS 18. But that doesn’t mean it will work well on these older phones.

“It’s a new update that uses more power, which really drains your battery and really degrades your battery health,” he said.

“What happens when your battery health starts to deteriorate? Your f***ing phone starts to stutter,” he added.

According to iMyPhone, a software company that offers advice on iPhone issues, there are several reasons why your phone may be running slower after installing iOS 18.

Low data storage, too many open apps, a weak network connection, and a failing battery can all contribute to lag after installing an iOS update, the iMyPhone website states.

And if certain settings, like motion and screen brightness, aren’t optimized, that can also cause issues.

When the update launches in mid-September, it will include a host of new features, including ‘Tap to Cash’ to make paying with friends easier, hidden apps and Apple’s own artificial intelligence system: ‘Apple Intelligence’

Some older iPhone users who downloaded the iOS 18 beta have already experienced slowdowns.

One Reddit user Posted‘iOS 18 is so slow on the XR, it’s crazy how bad it is. OMG. The phone is slower than my old iPhone 6s.’

Another Reddit user made a after to ask for advice on why their iPhone 13 is “freezing and slow to respond” after installing the iOS 18 beta.

Commenters responded that some of these issues may be due to the fact that beta software is not yet finished and often contains more bugs than finished software.

Content creator and former Apple Sales Specialist Tyler Morgan warns people with older iPhones not to download iOS 18

If you notice your phone running slower or crashing more often after installing iOS 18 this fall, there are a few fixes you can try.

iMyPhone advises users to start with a tried and tested solution: restarting the phone.

This helps preserve memory, prevent crashes, run smoother and extend battery life, the website said.

If that doesn’t work, try freeing up some storage space by deleting old photos, videos, messages, and unused apps.

According to iMyPhone, this should improve the speed and functionality of your phone.

iOS 18 was originally announced at the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) in June and is expected to be available on all devices in mid-September.

It’s packed with new AI features, like the ability to create custom emojis – or “Genmojis” – intelligent writing tools, and major upgrades to Siri.

Users will also be given the ability to ‘hide’ apps in locked folders. This has led to criticism from some iPhone users, who believe the feature could encourage cheating in relationships.

If those features sound exciting to you, go ahead and download the update, Morgan said. But if you have an iPhone 13 or older, be prepared for a drop in performance.