Apple has officially launched its 26.1 software update across all platforms, marking the first major point release since September's iOS 26 debut. While these updates may not be revolutionary, they represent Apple's responsiveness to user feedback and its commitment to global expansion.

iOS 26.1: Listening to User Feedback

Liquid Glass Gets Customizable

The most talked-about feature in iOS 26.1 is the new Liquid Glass toggle, directly addressing feedback from users who found the transparent interface too distracting or difficult to read. Located in Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass, users can now choose between:

  • Clear: The default fully transparent aesthetic that defined iOS 26
  • Tinted: A new option that increases opacity behind notifications, tab bars, and other interface elements for improved readability

Apple explicitly stated this change was inspired by beta tester feedback, marking a shift toward greater user control over the iOS interface.

Lock Screen Camera Swipe: Finally Optional

In what many users are calling long overdue, iOS 26.1 introduces the ability to disable the lock screen camera swipe gesture. For years, iPhone users have accidentally launched the Camera app while pulling their phones from pockets or bags. With multiple ways to access the Camera now available—including the Camera Control button on newer models and the Action button—this toggle provides welcome flexibility.

Find it in Settings > Camera > Lock Screen Swipe to Open Camera.

Smarter Alarm Dismissal

No more accidentally tapping "stop" when you're half-asleep. iOS 26.1 replaces the simple stop button with a "slide to stop" interface for both alarms and timers in the Clock app, adding an intentional gesture that could help prevent those "why didn't my alarm go off?" moments. This change comes after Apple previously increased the stop button size in iOS 26.

Background Security Improvements

Apple has revamped its security update system with a new feature called Background Security Improvements, replacing the previous Rapid Security Responses that required manual installation. This new system automatically downloads and installs critical security patches silently in the background, eliminating delays caused by users who postpone updates.

Found in Settings > Privacy & Security > Security Improvements, the feature can be toggled on or off. Apple retains the ability to roll back a problematic update if issues arise—a lesson learned from the first (and only) Rapid Security Response in July 2023, which broke website support and had to be reissued.

Music App Gesture

You can now swipe on the music player in Apple Music to switch between songs, making it faster to navigate your library without opening the full app interface.

Expanded Language Support

Apple continues its global push with significant language additions:

Apple Intelligence now supports eight additional languages:

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

AirPods Live Translation adds four new languages:

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

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

Apple TV App Gets a Fresh Look

As part of Apple's rebranding from Apple TV+ to simply Apple TV, iOS 26.1 introduces a more colorful and vibrant Apple TV app icon, signaling the streaming service's new identity.

Additional Improvements

  • Local Capture settings now appear under General in Settings, allowing you to choose where files are saved and toggle audio-only capture
  • iPad Slide Over multitasking returns to iPadOS 26.1, working alongside the windowing system introduced in iPadOS 26

macOS Tahoe 26.1: Desktop Refinements

Liquid Glass Comes to Mac

Like iOS, macOS Tahoe 26.1 gains the Liquid Glass toggle in Settings > Appearance > Liquid Glass. While the visual differences are more subtle on desktop than mobile, users can still choose between the clear default look or the tinted appearance for increased opacity in apps and Lock Screen notifications.

Audio Enhancements

  • Apple Music AutoMix now works over AirPlay, bringing seamless transitions between songs to wireless speakers and audio devices
  • FaceTime audio quality has been improved specifically for low-bandwidth conditions, ensuring clearer video calls even with spotty internet connections

Enhanced Parental Controls

Communication Safety features and web content filters to limit adult websites are now enabled by default for existing child accounts ages 13-17 (age requirements vary by country or region), providing parents with stronger protections without requiring manual setup.

iPadOS 26.1: Multitasking Returns

Beyond the iOS features mentioned above, iPadOS 26.1 reintroduces Slide Over multitasking, which works as a companion to the existing windowing system. This allows users to designate an app to float above all other windows, creating a new multitasking method that complements iPadOS 26's powerful additions.

The dedicated Apple Vision Pro app also arrives on iPad with this update, giving Vision Pro users a new way to discover content and manage their spatial computer.

visionOS 26.1: Expanding Spatial Computing

New Apple Vision Pro App for iPad

When you upgrade to iPadOS 26.1, you gain access to a dedicated Apple Vision Pro app that enables you to:

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

Enhanced AirPlay Functionality

Both iPhone and iPad can now turn 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 for demonstration purposes.

Videos viewed in Spatial Gallery's immersive mode now display playback controls and video length information, addressing a common complaint that users couldn't easily see how long a video was or control playback without breaking immersion.

watchOS 26.1 & tvOS 26.1: Minor Updates

Both watchOS 26.1 and tvOS 26.1 are minor updates focused primarily on bug fixes and performance improvements. Apple hasn't detailed specific feature additions for these platforms beyond general stability enhancements.

What's Next: iOS 26.2 Beta Coming This Week

Apple isn't wasting any time. According to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, the first developer beta of iOS 26.2 is expected to arrive as soon as Tuesday, November 4—just one day after today's public release. This aligns with Apple's typical release pattern and suggests the company is on track for a mid-December public launch of iOS 26.2.

While no features are confirmed yet, two highly anticipated additions remain on Apple's roadmap for release "before the end of the year":

  • U.S. passport support in Apple Wallet
  • End-to-end encryption for RCS messaging

It remains unclear whether these will arrive with iOS 26.2 or through server-side updates.

Compatibility and Availability

iOS 26.1 is compatible with iPhone 11 and later, though some features (like Apple Intelligence) require newer hardware. The updates are available now as free over-the-air downloads:

  • Go to Settings > General > Software Update
  • Tap Download and Install

All 26.1 updates are rolling out simultaneously across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS.

The Bottom Line

iOS 26.1 represents a thoughtful mid-cycle update that prioritizes user feedback over flashy new features. The Liquid Glass toggle directly addresses usability concerns, while the camera swipe disable solves a years-old frustration. The Background Security Improvements system demonstrates Apple's commitment to keeping devices secure without requiring user intervention.

For international users, the expanded language support for Apple Intelligence and AirPods Live Translation is significant, bringing these AI-powered features to millions more people worldwide. Vision Pro users gain tighter integration with iPad, furthering Apple's vision of a seamless spatial computing ecosystem.

These aren't the kinds of updates that generate headlines, but they're the refinements that make Apple's platforms more pleasant to use every day. And sometimes, that matters more than revolutionary new features.

The updates are available now. Go forth and customize your Liquid Glass.

For security update details, visit support.apple.com/100100. Feature availability varies by region. For information on how updates affect performance and battery life, see support.apple.com/125039.