iOS 26.1 Beta 2: All New Features Revealed
▼ Summary
– iOS 26.1 beta 2 introduces a new ‘Slide to stop’ gesture for alarms and timers to reduce accidental dismissals.
– iPad multitasking sees the return of Slide Over, allowing a single app to float above the workspace for easy access.
– External microphone users can now adjust input gain and customize audio recording save locations via the Control Center.
– UI updates include left-aligned app folder titles, Settings headers, and a 3D model in the Apple Vision Pro app.
– Beta 2 reverses some beta 1 changes, such as reverting calendar event colors and integrating Safari’s Downloads menu into the address bar on iPad.
Apple has rolled out the second developer beta for iOS 26.1, introducing several noteworthy changes and refinements ahead of its expected public debut. This latest build arrives roughly two weeks after the initial beta and includes both new functionality and the return of some familiar features.
One of the most talked-about updates involves the alarms and timers interface. Apple has replaced the large ‘Stop’ button with a new ‘Slide to stop’ gesture, making it significantly more difficult to dismiss an alarm or timer by mistake. This change builds upon the redesigned, larger buttons introduced in iOS 26, adding an extra layer of intentionality to stopping these alerts.
For iPad users, a significant multitasking feature makes a welcome comeback. Slide Over multitasking has been restored in iPadOS 26.1 beta 2 after being removed in the previous major update. While the new version only supports a single app floating above your workspace instead of a stack, it provides a convenient way to keep a secondary application readily accessible and easy to view or dismiss.
Users who connect external microphones to their Apple devices will appreciate a new level of control. The latest beta allows you to adjust the input gain directly from the Control Center’s input panel. Additionally, you can now customize the save location for any audio recordings made with the device.
The beta also delivers a collection of user interface refinements. App folder titles and headers within the Settings app are now left-aligned for a cleaner look. The Apple Vision Pro application has been updated with a detailed 3D model to represent the device, potentially hinting at an upcoming hardware revision.
Apple has also walked back a couple of changes from the first beta. Calendar events have reverted to their original iOS 26 design, abandoning the full-width color bars. On iPadOS, Safari’s Downloads menu is once again integrated directly into the address bar, returning to a more familiar layout for users.
(Source: 9to5 Mac)
