Apple has released the Release Candidate versions of its 26.1 update suite, signaling that the public launch is just around the corner. This incremental update brings meaningful refinements across all major platforms, with a focus on user customization, enhanced communication features, and expanded ecosystem integration. Here's everything you need to know about what's coming to your Apple devices.

iOS 26.1: More Control Over Your Interface

Liquid Glass Gets a Toggle

The standout feature of iOS 26.1 is the new customization option for Liquid Glass, Apple's signature translucent design language introduced in iOS 26. Users can now choose between two distinct looks:

  • Clear: The default transparent aesthetic that's been defining iOS 26
  • Tinted: A new option that increases opacity behind notifications, tab bars, and other interface elements

The toggle lives in Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass, making it easy to adjust based on personal preference. This addition complements existing accessibility options like Increase Contrast and Reduce Transparency, giving users even more control over how their iPhone looks and feels.

Finally: Disable the Camera Swipe

In a move that will delight users who've accidentally launched the Camera app countless times, iOS 26.1 introduces the ability to disable the lock screen swipe gesture. This gesture has been a fixture on iPhones for years, evolving from a swipe-up action to the current swipe-from-right motion introduced with the iPhone X.

With newer iPhones offering multiple ways to access the Camera (including the Camera Control button and Action button), this toggle provides welcome flexibility for those who prefer not to have yet another way to accidentally open the app. Find it in Settings > Camera > Lock Screen Swipe to Open Camera.

Smarter Alarm Dismissal

iOS 26.1 makes it harder to accidentally silence your morning wake-up call with an improved alarm dismissal interface that now uses a Slide to Unlock gesture, adding an extra layer of intentionality to turning off your alarms.

Expanded Language Support

Apple continues its global rollout with significant language additions:

Apple Intelligence now supports:

  • Chinese (Traditional)
  • Danish
  • Dutch
  • Norwegian
  • Portuguese (Portugal)
  • Swedish
  • Turkish
  • Vietnamese

AirPods Live Translation adds:

  • Chinese (Mandarin Simplified and Traditional)
  • Italian
  • Japanese
  • Korean

This feature, available on AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4, initially launched with support for US and UK English, French, German, Portuguese (Brazil), and Spanish (Spain).

Apple TV Gets a Fresh Look

Apple is rebranding its streaming service from Apple TV+ to simply Apple TV, accompanied by what the company calls "a vibrant new identity." The first visual change users will notice is a redesigned app icon that debuts with this update.

Additional Improvements

  • Music app gets a new swipe gesture for changing songs
  • Local Capture settings now appear under General in the Settings app, allowing you to choose where files are saved and toggle audio-only capture
  • iPad Slide Over multitasking returns to iPadOS 26.1 after being temporarily unavailable

macOS Tahoe 26.1: Refined Desktop Experience

Liquid Glass Comes to Mac

Like its mobile counterpart, macOS Tahoe 26.1 introduces the Liquid Glass toggle, though the visual differences are more subtle on the desktop. Users can find the setting in Settings > Appearance > Liquid Glass, with options for the default clear look or the new tinted appearance that increases opacity in apps and Lock Screen notifications.

Audio and Communication Enhancements

  • Apple Music AutoMix now works over AirPlay, bringing seamless transitions between songs to your wireless speakers and audio devices
  • FaceTime audio quality has been improved for low-bandwidth conditions, ensuring clearer conversations even when your internet connection isn't ideal

Enhanced Parental Controls

Communication Safety and Web content filters to limit adult websites are now enabled by default for existing child accounts for ages 13-17 (age requirements vary by country or region), giving parents additional peace of mind.

visionOS 26.1: Expanding the Spatial Computing Ecosystem

Apple Vision Pro owners have plenty to be excited about with this update, which focuses on expanding how you can interact with and manage your spatial computer.

New Apple Vision Pro App for iPad

When you upgrade to iPadOS 26.1, you'll gain access to a dedicated Apple Vision Pro app on your iPad that enables you to:

  • Discover new spatial content and experiences
  • Quickly access device information
  • Manage your Vision Pro more easily from your tablet

Enhanced AirPlay Functionality

Both iPhone and iPad now support turning on AirPlay to view experiences from your Apple Vision Pro, making it easier to share what you're seeing in spatial computing with others or use your mobile devices as companion screens.

Videos viewed in Spatial Gallery's immersive mode now display playback controls and video length information, making it easier to navigate your media while maintaining that immersive viewing experience.

Availability and Release Timeline

The Release Candidate builds are currently available to developers and beta testers. Based on Apple's typical release patterns, the public rollout of iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, and visionOS 26.1 is expected to arrive within the next week.

The Bottom Line

While the 26.1 updates may seem incremental on the surface, they represent Apple's commitment to refining the user experience based on feedback. The Liquid Glass toggle addresses concerns from users who found the transparent interface too distracting, while the camera swipe disable option solves a long-standing frustration. The expanded language support for Apple Intelligence and AirPods Live Translation demonstrates Apple's continued investment in making its ecosystem truly global.

For Vision Pro users, the enhanced iPad integration and AirPlay capabilities show how Apple is building out the spatial computing ecosystem to work seamlessly with existing devices. These aren't revolutionary changes, but they're the kind of thoughtful refinements that make Apple's platforms more pleasant to use every day.

Keep an eye out for the official release announcement, likely coming within the next seven days. In the meantime, if you're enrolled in Apple's beta program, you can try out these features today with the Release Candidate builds.

For more information on security updates included in this release, visit support.apple.com/100100. Feature availability may vary by region. For details on how software updates affect performance and battery life, see support.apple.com/125039.