Apple’s latest iOS 26 update has introduced a peculiar issue affecting photos shared from Android devices. Multiple iPhone users have reported that pictures taken on Android phones, when viewed in the iOS Photos app, display unexpected color changes — most notably a red tint appearing upon zooming. This glitch doesn’t occur on iOS 18 or earlier versions, and its appearance seems sporadic depending on the Android device used to capture the image.
Color Shift Bug Appears on Android Photos in iOS 26
Discussions across Reddit reveal that images taken on phones like the Moto Razr or Samsung Galaxy S24 sometimes turn noticeably red when zoomed on iPhones running iOS 26. The bug is inconsistent, not affecting every photo or device equally. Additionally, some users have observed that affected photos turn gray when attempting to edit them on the iPhone.
Interestingly, there are reports that even photos taken on iPhones themselves (for example, iPhone 15 devices) can show similar issues when viewed on newer models like iPhone 17, suggesting the problem might not be strictly limited to Android-sourced images.
Possible Causes and Current Status
While the exact cause remains unclear, some speculate that incompatible HDR standards between Android devices and iOS might be behind the color shifts. Neither Apple nor Google has officially addressed the issue yet. The bug persists across various updates — even after iOS 26.2 — though it does not affect all users universally.
Other iOS 26 Issues Impacting Users
iOS 26 hasn’t been without its share of bugs. Users have reported problems including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth dropouts on certain iPhone 17 and iPhone Air models, photo artifacts caused by certain lighting, missing app icons after applying custom tints, VoiceOver accessibility difficulties, and unusually fast battery drain during normal use. Apple’s iOS 26.2 update has included important security fixes addressing WebKit vulnerabilities, highlighting the ongoing improvements being made underneath the surface.
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Looking Ahead
While iOS updates naturally bring new functionalities, they sometimes introduce unexpected bugs that impact user experience. It’s hoped that Apple will prioritize fixing this color distortion problem swiftly as they continue refining iOS 26. Meanwhile, users are encouraged to report any anomalies to help speed up resolutions.
