A newly reported bug in iOS 26 appears to be causing unexpected color changes in certain photos, with images shared from Android devices being the most commonly affected. According to multiple user reports on Reddit, photos taken on some Android phones and then viewed in the iOS Photos app can display incorrect colors, often turning noticeably red when users zoom in. Interestingly, the same images appear normal when viewed on iPhones running older software versions such as iOS 18, suggesting the issue is tied specifically to iOS 26.
The problem does not seem to affect all devices or photos consistently. Some users report the bug only occurs with images captured on specific Android phones, including models like the Moto Razr and Samsung Galaxy S24. Adding to the confusion, at least one user claims the issue also affects photos taken on an iPhone 15 when viewed on a newer iPhone running iOS 26, indicating the bug may not be limited strictly to Android-originated images. In addition to color shifts, affected photos reportedly turn gray when users attempt to edit them within the Photos app.
Reports suggest the issue has been present for several weeks and has persisted through multiple updates, including iOS 26.1 and iOS 26.2, although not all devices running the latest version appear to be affected. The root cause remains unclear, but some speculate that incompatible HDR formats or image processing changes in iOS 26 could be responsible. Apple has not yet officially acknowledged the problem. This photo bug is just one of several issues users have encountered with iOS 26, which has also been linked to connectivity problems, interface glitches, unexpected visual artifacts, and increased battery drain. While recent updates have addressed security vulnerabilities, many usability issues are still being worked out, leaving some users frustrated as Apple continues refining the operating system.
