Apple has officially rolled out the iOS 26.1 update for iPhone users, introducing new personalization options, improved accessibility, and a host of refinements across the system. The update gives users more control over interface transparency, enhances camera access options, expands language support for Apple Intelligence, and improves system stability and audio quality. iOS 26.1 is now available for all iPhone 11 and newer models, as well as the second-generation iPhone SE.
Apple releases iOS 26.1! What’s new?
One of the most notable additions in iOS 26.1 is the Liquid Glass transparency control. Found under Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass, this new toggle lets users manually adjust the appearance of the interface between “Clear” and “Tinted” modes. According to Apple, the “Clear” option makes on-screen content appear more visible, while “Tinted” increases opacity and contrast for a softer, more blended look. This new customization provides a visual experience that better adapts to user preferences.
The update also introduces a new slide-to-dismiss feature for alarms and timers, bringing a nostalgic nod to the classic “Slide to Unlock” gesture first introduced on the original iPhone in 2007. Instead of simply tapping to stop an alarm, users can now swipe the new slider to turn it off, offering a more tactile and familiar interaction.
iOS 26.1 addresses one of the most common user complaints: accidentally opening the camera from the lock screen. With this update, users can disable the left-swipe gesture that launches the camera app. This can be done from Settings > Camera > Lock Screen Swipe to Open Camera. The feature is enabled by default but can now be turned off to prevent unintended camera activations — a simple yet practical addition that improves everyday usability.
The new update also extends Apple Intelligence language support, adding Turkish, Swedish, Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese to its existing list. Meanwhile, AirPods Live Translation gains support for Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, and Italian, expanding real-time translation capabilities for AirPods Pro 2, Pro 3, and AirPods 4 users.
Another subtle but visible change appears in the Apple TV app, which now features a refreshed icon and simplified branding — dropping the “Apple TV+” name in favor of “Apple TV.” Additionally, users can now access a new Local Capture setting under Settings > General, allowing them to specify where local recordings are stored. There’s also a new option to record audio-only files directly from this menu.
In Apple Music, iOS 26.1 introduces gesture-based navigation for the MiniPlayer, letting users swipe to move between tracks. AirPlay users will also notice a new AutoMix function for seamless playback transitions. Recording capabilities have been enhanced too, with gain control for external USB microphones when capturing audio through the Local Capture tool.
The Fitness app gains manual workout logging, letting users record exercise sessions that aren’t automatically detected by the system. Additionally, FaceTime has received an audio boost, offering clearer sound quality in low-bandwidth conditions. For families, Apple has strengthened Communication Safety and web content filtering, which are now enabled by default for users aged 13–17, improving child account protections globally.
Beyond these visible improvements, iOS 26.1 includes various bug fixes, performance optimizations, and security updates aimed at improving the overall user experience.
Users can download and install iOS 26.1 by navigating to Settings > General > Software Update and following the prompts. Though not a major version change, iOS 26.1 refines many aspects of the system — offering smoother performance, more customization options, and better privacy controls — reinforcing Apple’s focus on usability and reliability across its ecosystem.
