iOS 26.1 arrives this week: all the new features!

Apple is preparing to release the first major update to iOS 26, iOS 26.1 , which will reach users early this week , marking the start of November with a series of new features and visual adjustments.

The update comes after an intense beta testing cycle, which began shortly after the presentation of iOS 26 at WWDC 2025 on June 9th, and its public release on September 15th. Although it still doesn't include the highly anticipated new version of Siri , iOS 26.1 brings significant design improvements, new customization options, and minor security and accessibility tweaks that promise to refine the user experience.

New features and key changes

Toggle Liquid Glass Transparency

One of the most visible changes is in the interface: Liquid Glass can now be customized.
In Settings → Display & Brightness , there is a new option to switch between Clear and Tinted modes.
Clear mode maintains the traditional translucent look, while Tinted mode adds more opacity and contrast , improving readability in bright environments.

Slide the Camera on the Lock Screen

Apple has added a new control in Settings → Camera that allows you to disable the swipe-to-open camera gesture from the lock screen.
The feature aims to enhance privacy , since previously anyone could quickly access the camera, even when the iPhone was locked.

Equipment Vibration

There is now an option to disable vibration on phone calls without affecting the vibration of other notifications.
A small but useful change for those who prefer a completely silent phone during calls.

Alarms and Timers

Alarms and timers have been given a new method of interaction.
The old "Play" button has been replaced with a swipe-to-stop gesture , reducing the risk of accidentally turning off alarms — something many users will appreciate.

Expansion of Apple Intelligence (AI)

Apple Intelligence , its integrated artificial intelligence system, gains support for new languages:
Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese.

Real-time translation of AirPods

The real-time translation function of the AirPods has been expanded to include Japanese, Korean, Italian , and Chinese (Traditional and Simplified Mandarin) , increasing the tool's usefulness for travel and multilingual meetings.

Redesigned apps and new options

Apple Music

Now it's possible to swipe sideways across the song title to skip to the previous or next track — a simple and intuitive gesture designed to make navigation easier during playback.

Apple TV

The Apple TV app gets a new colorful icon aligned with the Liquid Glass design and a symbolic change: the service is no longer called "Apple TV+" and will now be identified simply as Apple TV .

Fitness (Physical Exercise)

iOS 26.1 introduces personalized workouts in the Fitness app.
It is possible to configure the type of workout, duration, effort, and calorie goals, allowing for a more flexible experience tailored to each user.

Definitions (Settings)

The alignment of text and icons has been revised: all headings are now left-aligned , a visual detail that reinforces aesthetic consistency throughout the system.
The same change applies to folders on the main screen , whose names will also follow the new alignment.

Other subtle improvements

• The video navigation controls in the Photos app have been redesigned and now feature a smoother navigation bar.

• Safari has a wider bottom tab bar with fewer side borders.

• The Privacy and Security section has gained a new option to automatically install security updates , replacing the old Quick Security Responses .

• On the Home screen , wallpapers now reflect the new visual theme of iOS 26.

• Small animations and light reflections in Liquid Glass have been smoothed out.

• In Accessibility → Display and Text Size , the option “Show Borders” appears, which adds outlines to all buttons.

• The new setting in Settings → General → Local Captures allows you to choose the location for call recordings (audio and video).

Availability and how to install

iOS 26.1 is now available for developers and public beta testers .
Anyone who wants to try out the new features before the official release can sign up for Apple's Beta program .

With the Beta cycle coming to an end, the public launch should take place in the coming days .
Apple, therefore, reaffirms its commitment to frequent updates and improvements in key details that solidify the iOS experience as one of the most polished and consistent on the market.

Conclusion

iOS 26.1 doesn't bring a revolution, but it represents a solid step in refinement .
New customization options, visual tweaks, and privacy enhancements reinforce Apple's attention to detail — and pave the way for more ambitious future updates, especially in the field of artificial intelligence.

The month of November begins with good news for iPhone users and the promise of an even smoother, more elegant, and secure iOS experience.