Apple has rolled out iOS 26.1, a notable update that enhances your iPhone experience with several new features and security improvements. This update arrives more than a month after the initial launch of iOS 26, which introduced the innovative Liquid Glass interface among other enhancements. Let’s explore the new functionalities iOS 26.1 brings to your device.
Enhanced Liquid Glass Customization
With iOS 26.1, there’s a fresh way to tailor your iPhone’s Liquid Glass design. Navigate to Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass, where you can select between Clear and Tinted options. The Clear setting allows for greater transparency, while Tinted enhances contrast and opacity for certain elements like your Notification Center and search bars.
For adjustments on your Home Screen, simply long-press to open the Edit menu, select Customize, and choose to make app icons Clear or Tinted. You can switch between Light, Dark, or Auto themes within the Customization options. For those seeking further customization, toggle Reduce Transparency under Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
Automatic Security Improvements
Another noteworthy feature introduced in iOS 26.1 is the ability for your iPhone to automatically download and install security improvements. Head over to Settings > Privacy & Security > Background Security Improvements to enable this handy feature. This enhancement aims to provide ongoing protection between regular software updates, similar to Apple’s Rapid Security Responses, allowing your device to maintain safety without constant manual checks.
Prevent Accidental Camera Launches
iOS 26.1 has also made it easier to avoid accidentally opening your Camera from the Lock Screen. To find this useful toggle, navigate to Settings > Camera and toggle off the Lock Screen Swipe to Open Camera option. This will help prevent unintended launches, streamlining your Lock Screen experience.
Control Haptics During Calls
For those who find the call connection vibrations distracting, iOS 26.1 introduces a new control to disable haptic feedback during call connections. This can be managed by going to Settings > Apps > Phone and adjusting the Haptics toggle. This allows for a quieter call experience without confusion over incoming notifications.
New Local Capture Functionality
The updated Local Capture feature allows users to record high-quality audio and video from calls effortlessly. To access this setting, go to Settings > General > Local Capture. Here, you can choose where to save your recordings and even toggle the option to record audio only. This is perfect for those looking to save important call details for later review.
Single-Touch Actions for Accessibility
A new accessibility option allows users to prefer single-touch actions over sliding gestures on their iPhones. This is aimed at providing a more straightforward interaction for users, available under Settings > Accessibility > Touch.
Alarm Functionality Update
One small yet impactful change in iOS 26.1 is how alarms are dismissed. Instead of pressing a button to stop an alarm, users now need to swipe to stop it. This slight alteration could help ensure that you’re genuinely awake before shutting off the morning alarm.
Music Controls Revamped
While iOS 26 introduced several improvements to Apple Music, iOS 26.1 takes it a step further. Now, you can change songs by simply swiping left or right on the song title in the music player. This functionality is available whether you’re viewing the player in full screen or in a minimized form at the bottom of your screen.
Expanded Live Translation Languages
The iOS 26.1 update enhances the Live Translation feature with support for additional languages, including:
- Chinese (Mandarin, simplified)
- Chinese (Mandarin, traditional)
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
Broader Apple Intelligence Language Support
For those utilizing Apple Intelligence features, iOS 26.1 extends this capability to various other languages, including:
- Chinese (traditional)
- Danish
- Dutch
- Norwegian
- Portuguese (Portugal)
- Swedish
- Turkish
- Vietnamese
Improved Video Scrubbing Bar
Lastly, users will notice a more compact and streamlined video scrubbing bar in the Photos app. This update simplifies navigation when watching videos, contributing to an enhanced media consumption experience.
As you explore these updates, the improvements in iOS 26.1 promise to deliver a more tailored, secure, and user-friendly experience for iPhone users. Keep your device updated to benefit from these enhancements!