iOS 26 is currently facing criticism due to a unique bug that significantly distorts the colour of photographs transferred from Android devices. Reports from various online platforms, including Reddit, highlight this problem, where an unsettling red tint is seen on specific images within the iPhone’s native Photos application.
Users have reported that the flaw is not evident at first glance. While scrolling through their photo library, they see accurate thumbnails; however, when tapping or zooming in on the image, the unsettling red overlay appears without warning. This has understandably raised alarms among many, who initially suspected that the image files were damaged. Furthermore, attempts to crop these affected images have resulted in instances where the photo unexpectedly shifts to black and white.
The bug mainly influences photographs taken with popular Android smartphones before being transferred to an iPhone. Experts suggest that the issue stems from how iOS 26 interprets embedded colour information or HDR metadata, particularly the gain maps in newer formats like Android’s Ultra HDR, causing a significant imbalance that favours red hues.
Even with the recent iOS 26.2 update installed, the problem remains unresolved, and Apple has yet to acknowledge this peculiar behaviour officially. For those affected, there is a straightforward, albeit irritating, workaround. By opening the problematic photograph, selecting ‘Edit’, and tapping ‘Revert’, users can restore the original colour profile.
While this temporary solution keeps the image data secure, it must be carried out manually for each affected photograph, making it an inconvenient stopgap until Apple introduces a permanent fix. This glitch is part of a broader set of initial issues following the iOS 26 rollout, which also include user complaints about battery drainage and choppy animations.
