Unusual Colour Bug Affects Android Photos on iOS 26
Several iPhone users running iOS 26 have encountered a strange bug that alters the colours of photos taken on Android devices, causing them to appear with a red tint when viewed in the iOS Photos app. This issue has been widely discussed on Reddit, where users report that the problem becomes noticeable especially when zooming in on the affected images. Interestingly, this glitch does not occur on devices running iOS 18, suggesting it is a recent development tied to the newer iOS versions.
Details and Possible Causes
The bug does not affect all photos uniformly but seems to be linked to images captured by specific Android models. For instance, one Reddit user noted that photos taken with a Moto Razr exhibited the red tint, while another mentioned that pictures from a Galaxy S24 were impacted. Curiously, there are also reports of photos taken on an iPhone 15 showing similar issues when viewed on an iPhone 17, indicating the problem may not be exclusive to Android-originated images. Additionally, when attempting to edit these photos, users have observed that the images turn grey.
Despite the bug persisting across multiple iOS updates, including the latest iOS 26.2, Apple has yet to provide an official explanation or fix. Some community members speculate that the root cause might be related to incompatible HDR formats between Android and iOS devices, which could disrupt the way colours are rendered in the Photos app.
Workarounds and What to Expect
While waiting for an official resolution, one Reddit user shared a temporary workaround that seems to alleviate the issue. By opening the affected photo, tapping the Edit button, and then selecting Revert at the top right corner, the red tint can be removed. However, this fix must be applied individually to each problematic image, which may be inconvenient for users with many affected photos.
Apple’s ongoing efforts to maintain a distinct ecosystem sometimes lead to compatibility challenges for users who switch between Android and iOS or use both platforms simultaneously. This latest bug highlights the complexities involved in handling diverse photo formats across operating systems.
As the situation develops, it will be worth monitoring whether Apple addresses this issue in future iOS updates. For now, affected users can apply the suggested workaround to restore their photos’ normal appearance.