Problems after installing iOS 26.2. Possibly related to VPN?

It's not always the iOS update's fault!  Many things can cause phone problems.  If you tell people you think it's an iOS update, it might make it harder to fix or find a solution for the real issue.

Remember, the right question often leads to the solution!

Was/Is your device Jailbroken? If that's the situation, please be informed that attributing the issues to iOS updates may not be accurate.

iOS updates aim to enhance user experience, boost security, and fix bugs rather than disrupt core features. The majority of the issues after updates might stem from underlying, unmentioned factors. Updates won't typically alter personal data but may refine settings or features. Backup before major updates for safety. Review Apple's update details and backup advice for a smooth process.

Kindly consider checking your settings and addressing any device issues before attributing the issue to external factors. This could be a pure coincidence that the iOS update affected the iPhone functions.

Before initiating a standard iOS update, it's advisable to create a backup. Have you completed this step? If yes, proceed with the restoration from the backup.

See what each update does: OS — iOS 26, About iOS 18 Updates, About iOS 17 Updates, About iOS 16 Updates, About iOS 15 Updates, About iOS 14 Updates, About iOS 13 Updates, About iOS 12 Updates, and so on...

You may try some of these steps, please check after each step...

1. Sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary software glitches. Turn off your iPhone, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
   1. Restart the device. That's it.
   2. Still not solved --> Force restart iPhone - Apple Support
2. If you're using a VPN, disable it and check if the error goes away. Go to Settings > General > VPN & Device Management and turn off any active VPNs. Disabling a VPN only from the iPhone settings may not completely turn it off. To fully disable it, you need to switch it off from the VPN service provider’s app or remove the configuration profile they installed. Only then is the VPN truly off, which can help if it’s causing issues with cellular or Wi-Fi connectivity.
3. Reset Network Settings: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings: Only network settings are removed.
   1. When you reset network settings, previously used networks and VPN settings that weren’t installed by a configuration profile or mobile device management (MDM) are removed. Wi-Fi is turned off and then back on, disconnecting you from any network you’re on. The Wi-Fi and Ask to Join Networks settings remain turned on.
   2. To remove VPN settings installed by a configuration profile, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the configuration profile, then tap Remove Profile. This also removes other settings and accounts provided by the profile. See Install or remove configuration profiles on iPhone in this guide.
   3. To remove network settings installed by MDM, go to Settings > General > Profiles & Device Management, select the management, then tap Remove Management. This also removes other settings and certificates provided by MDM. See “Mobile device management (MDM)” in the iOS Deployment Reference.
   4. Reset your Network Settings. Tap Settings > General > Reset > Reset Network Settings. This also resets Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, and VPN and APN settings that you've used before.
   5. 

The only reason to use a VPN on an iPhone would be if your company or school requires it.

Otherwise, the VPN provides less.....not more....security for your iPhone, despite what the advertising claims might try to make you believe.

In addition, most VPN companies will sell your contact information for the asking, so the chances of junk mail increasing on your phone move up dramatically.

Rusty_Wingnut wrote:

UPDATE: I believe the problem is now resolved. I’ll summarise here in case this is of help to anyone experiencing similar problems.

Following advice and guidance from both ESET and Apple Support, I discovered:

1.     From Apple: Problems with third-party VPNs causing connectivity issues with Apple services like the App Store after an iOS update are a known and frequently reported issue. iOS updates often involve changes to the system's networking stack and security frameworks, which can cause conflicts with third-party security software or VPN configurations.

2.     From ESET (but probably true for many other 3rd party VPNs): Please try uninstalling ESET VPN, reinstalling and activating with a new activation code (generated from the ESET Home portal) and then check to see if the issue persists? The main goal is triggering the requirements pop-ups during the reinstallation [of the VPN] if there were any changes made to them and then enabling/granting the necessary permissions in the settings of iOS.

As for the mentioned Apple Music problem I mentioned [Library not updated] – I’m not sure when or how this happened, but I had inadvertently sign out and sign in to my Apple account via the Media and Purchases link in Settings. As a result of this my Sync Library was turned off. Assuming you have an Apple Music subscription, to fix this sync problem:

1 Go to Settings > Apps.

2 Tap Music.

3 Turn Sync Library on, then turn Sync Library on.

Hope this is helpful for anyone in a similar situation.

I'm glad you figured out what the issue was with your VPN. You couldn't pay me to install one on my iPhone.

You might find this article enlightening --> VPN: What you need to know - Apple Community