Far from being a minor update, the iOS 4 beta 26.1 It arrives with two changes that users have been requesting for some time, and which directly affect the design and usability of the iPhone. These aren't just tweaks: they're adjustments that are very noticeable in everyday use.
The compilation is available for both developers and public beta, and everything points to the fact that final version will arrive by the end of the month or, at the latest, by early November. Until then, there's still room for minor tweaks to refine what we're already seeing.
You can now adjust Liquid Glass
The big star is the new control for choose the look of Liquid Glass, the transparency language released in iOS 26. In Settings > Display & Brightness, a selector appears with two modes: Transparent or TintedThe first maintains the current effect; the second increases the opacity and contrast.
This change brings more contrast and readability in menus, notifications, or tab bars, which is especially useful in the sun or with very bright backgrounds. It's a direct response to those who were asking for a interface less dependent on transparency.
The option is not limited to the iPhone: it also appears in iPadOS 26.1 and macOS Tahoe 26.1On the Mac, access is in System Preferences > Appearance, and while the visual differences are more subtle, the goal is the same: to give the user control.
Don't expect a continuous regulator: there is no intensity sliderApple relies on a binary selector between Transparent and Tinted, enough to improve visibility without affecting other accessibility settings.
Blocking and calling: more control
Another long-awaited novelty: now you can disable the swipe gesture to open the camera from the lock screen. The route is Settings > Camera > Access by swiping on the lock screen, and no more accidental openings.
Whoever hasn't accidentally taken a photo while taking their phone out of their pocket, let them throw the first stone; with this setting, prevent accidental openings It's as simple as a switch.
The Phone app gains a useful detail: a new switch allows remove haptic feedback when a call connects or ends. It's located in Settings > Phone and adds extra control for those who prefer minimal vibration.
They are small changes on paper, but used together they contribute more control over daily use and avoid unnecessary distractions.
Apple Intelligence and other new features in this beta
Apple has tweaked its section Apple Intelligence In Settings, the interface is aligned to the left like the rest of the menus, and on iOS, the "Beta" label has disappeared. In macOS Tahoe 26.1, that label remains, so it's unclear whether the change indicates a permanent status or is simply a visual tweak.
There are also availability previews: Apple Intelligence adds new languages (Traditional Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, and Vietnamese) and AirPods Live Translation expands support to Mandarin (Simplified and Traditional), Italian, Japanese, and Korean.
In addition, this beta builds on improvements already seen during cycle 26.1: gestures in Apple Music to skip songs, a faster text editing gesture, the Liquid Glass design coming to the Phone app, changes to alarms with the swipe-to-stop gesture, icon redesign from Apple TV and the return of Slide Over on iPad.
If you want to try these features, the Beta 4 is available in the developer program and in public beta., from Settings > General > Software Update. Still, it's best not to install it on your primary device: may contain errors typical of a test version.
As for the calendar, the final version of iOS 26.1 It is expected by the end of this month or the first days of November, with time for Apple to adjust last-minute details.
All together it draws an update that goes beyond fixes: being able to choose the look of Liquid Glass and disabling the camera gesture addresses long-standing requests, while the rest of the changes support accessibility and ease of use; it's one of those versions that, without making a fuss, improve the iPhone in everyday life.
