Apple lasts iOS 26.1The first major update of the iOS 26 generation: after the developer release candidate (RC) and public beta, the worldwide release is just around the corner. We won't see the new Siri that many are hoping for, but other features are coming. Useful features and interface tweaks in high demand.
We've compiled the most relevant changes to give you a clear idea of what this version brings: from more control over Liquid Glass (transparency), to silent security improvements, new toggles on camera and phone, gestures in Apple Music and more languages for Apple Intelligence and AirPods Live Translation.
Top new features of iOS 26.1
The major visual innovation is a selector for customization. Liquid glassIn Settings > Display & Brightness, you'll find the option to choose between "Clear" and "Tinted." The first allows more of the background to show through buttons, bars, and panels; the second increases opacity and contrast for a more comfortable reading.
Some elements of the home screen can be adjusted from edit mode, and if you're looking for a more solid look you can activate Reduce transparency In Settings > Accessibility > Text and display size. Additionally, the refraction effect around the icons has been slightly softened.
There are also small visual improvements: updated wallpapers in Settings > Display, indicators of “Pinch to trim” by setting up a background that now hides instantly, and adjusting typographic alignment across different screens to make everything more consistent.
Privacy & Security
A new switch is available for installation Background security improvements automatically (Settings > Privacy and security). It's an evolution of the Security Quick Response system, designed to strengthen the iPhone between versions without you having to intervene.
If any specific improvement causes compatibility issues, the system allows remove it and restart from the menu itself (the three-dot menu next to the update option). It's a useful option for exceptional cases, although Apple warns of the resulting reduction in protection.
Camera and phone
If you've ever accidentally opened the camera, you can now disable that gesture: in Settings > Camera it appears “Swipe on the lock screen to open the camera”By turning it off, the risk of accidentally dropping the camera is eliminated.
On Phone, iOS 26.1 offers a haptic switch To eliminate vibration when a call connects or drops (Settings > Apps > Phone). For those who mistake that buzzing for notifications, it's a small daily relief.
alarms and timers
The alarm screen changes gesture: to stop it completely you have to slide to stopWhile a quick tap is used to snooze, this prevents accidental shutdowns first thing in the morning.
In timers, the control on the lock screen also uses more intentional actionsWhereas if you're using the iPhone you'll see touch options next to the Dynamic Island to stop or repeat without friction.
Music, Photos and Safari
Apple Music includes a very practical feature: you can hover over the title of the track (in the large player or in the MiniPlayer) to go to the next song or return to the previous one, with a slight haptic confirmation touch.
In Photos, the bar to advance through videos is more compact And it's better integrated. The navigation bar gains a more legible frosted effect, and the menu for managing multiple photos reorders shortcuts like Slideshow, Favorite, and Hide.
Safari tweaks the interface: the bottom tab bar It's slightly wider and has less padding at the edges; if you use Reduce Transparency, the appearance is now more consistent and clean.
Apps and settings: small changes that make a difference
The Fitness app finally allows create custom workouts From the iPhone: activity type, estimated calories, effort, duration and start time, without depending on predefined templates.
In Settings, titles and heading texts are moved to left alignment (General, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.). And when you open a folder on the home screen, the name is also displayed aligned to the left.
The phone's numeric keypad uses Liquid Glass for its buttons, maintaining the aesthetics of the system more uniformly across the entire scoreboard.
The Display section in Settings updates the iOS 26 themed backgroundsAnd when setting a background, the gesture prompts appear only for a moment, so as not to get in the way while you choose the framing.
Accessibility adds “Borders of screen"In Text and Screen Size, a new setting that frame the buttons and replaces the classic "Button Shapes" to improve control identification.
To record during calls with Local Capture There is a separate menu in Settings > General > Local capturewhere you choose the save location in Files and whether you want to record only audio; you can add the function to Control center.
The Apple TV app launches most colorful icon in keeping with the Liquid Glass aesthetic and the renaming of the service as "Apple TV", equating it to the name of the app.
Languages and smart features
Apple Intelligence expands to new languages: Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Traditional Chinese and VietnameseIn Europe, this significantly expands access to the system's AI functions.
La AirPods live translation It adds compatibility with Japanese, Korean, Italian and Chinese (Mandarin in its simplified and traditional variants), ideal for multilingual travel or meetings.
iPadOS 26.1 at a glance
Many improvements are also coming to iPad, with the return of Slide Over as a complement to the iPadOS 26 windowing system: an active floating panel that you can invoke from the green window size button (“Enter Slide Over”).
In addition, the iPad gains a fit of input gain When using external microphones, useful for recordings or video calls with more control over the audio.
Availability, compatibility, and how to upgrade
The RC is now available for developers and beta testers And Apple usually releases the final version one to two weeks later. Everything points to a deployment early next week if no incidents arise.
iOS 26.1 will arrive all iPhones compatible with iOS 26Therefore, the update will be widely available in Spain and the rest of Europe from launch day.
When it's published, go to Settings > General > Software update and follow the steps. As always, it's a good idea to back up your data to iCloud or your Mac before installing. avoid scares.
If you want to try the RC first, sign up for the beta program on the Apple website, activate “Beta updatesGo to Settings > General > Software Update and choose the public or developer beta. It's best to do this in a secondary deviceas there could be errors or increased battery consumption.
iOS 26.1 doesn't reinvent anything, but it does fine-tune what's important: more visual control with the Liquid Glass selector, practical adjustments that prevent accidental touches, automatic security enhancements and more lenguajes in key functions. A discreet, well-rounded update, very much geared towards everyday use.