in the xcode settings -> components list you can click the 'i' information icon and delete a runtime, and you can add a runtime to get the 26.0.1 runtime in the bottom of the dialog also, you can create a new device in your simulator definitions like iPhone 17 26.0.1 that is pointed at the older runtime (whether you have deleted the 26.1 runtime or not...) then just boot that sim

This also did not work for me. I long-pressed the iOS 26.1 simulator background which switched it to "jiggly edit mode" I tapped the top-left "Edit" button and then selected "Edit wallpaper" I chose a color and tapped "Done" and... Still had very high CPU usage I re-downloaded 26.0.1 iOS simulator and it was great out of the box So for me at least this background setting workaround did not work, but iOS 26.0.1 does. Anyone else get it to work?