iOS 26.1: All New Features & Changes Revealed
▼ Summary
– iOS 26.1 introduces a toggle in Settings to switch between Clear and Tinted versions of the Liquid Glass design, addressing user feedback.
– A new Lock Screen setting allows users to disable the swipe gesture that accidentally opens the Camera app from the Lock Screen.
– The alarm screen has been redesigned to require a “slide to stop” action, reducing the chance of accidentally dismissing alarms.
– Apple Intelligence expands to eight new languages, including Chinese (traditional), Danish, and Turkish, in this update.
– AirPods Live Translation adds support for five new languages, such as Chinese (Mandarin), Italian, and Japanese, enhancing translation capabilities.
The latest iOS 26.1 update introduces a host of refinements and new capabilities for iPhone users, building upon the foundation laid by the major iOS 26 release. This incremental update is currently in beta testing and is expected to see a public rollout later this month, offering a more polished and stable experience.
A central feature of this update is the new Liquid Glass toggle found within the Display & Brightness settings. This addition directly responds to user feedback, providing a choice between the original transparent “Clear” look and a new “Tinted” option that increases opacity and contrast for a different visual aesthetic.
For those who frequently activate the camera by mistake, a new setting has been introduced. You can now disable the Lock Screen swipe gesture that opens the Camera app, preventing accidental launches. Another practical change involves the alarm interface, which has been redesigned to require a “slide to stop” motion, making it much harder to dismiss an alarm accidentally and oversleep.
Visual updates continue with a rebranded Apple TV app, which now sports a more colorful icon as part of the service’s new identity. Several smaller interface tweaks are also present, including a Liquid Glass-style numpad in the Phone app, frosted backgrounds for better legibility in the Photos app, and left-aligned text for app folders and Settings headers.
The Music app receives a particularly welcome enhancement. You can now swipe left and right on the Now Playing bar at the bottom of the screen to seamlessly skip between tracks, a significant improvement in usability.
Apple Intelligence, the company’s AI platform, expands its global reach by adding support for eight new languages in this update. The list includes Chinese (traditional), Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, and Vietnamese.
For creators, the Local Capture feature gains new functionality in Settings, allowing users to adjust microphone gain levels and change where audio files are saved. You can also set Local Capture to record audio only. Furthermore, the AirPods Live Translation feature, which initially launched for a handful of languages, now supports five additional ones: Chinese (Mandarin, simplified and traditional), Italian, Japanese, and Korean.
Code within iOS 26.1 also hints at Apple’s ongoing work on two more substantial changes for future iPhones. Overall, this update represents a significant step forward, refining the user experience with thoughtful adjustments and expanded features. For anyone who hasn’t yet updated to iOS 26, jumping to version 26.1 is an excellent choice due to its increased stability and refinement. The public release is anticipated for the end of October.
(Source: 9to5 Mac)
