Apple has released iOS 26.1, the first major update since the debut of iOS 26 back in September. It’s not a huge overhaul, but it brings several thoughtful improvements – and one particularly important tweak that many users have been asking for.
Liquid Glass goes solid
The headline change is a new Tinted mode for Apple’s divisive Liquid Glass design language. The shimmering, translucent menus introduced in iOS 26 looked striking but were criticised for poor legibility and visual clutter. With this new update, you can finally tone things down via Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass.
For more on that change, see our comparison of the new Liquid Glass modes.
Camera swipes
Another welcome change is the option to disable the swipe-to-open Camera gesture on the Lock Screen, which can be handy but is often the cause of accidental Camera launches. Like the Liquid Glass toggle, it’s another sign that Apple is finally giving users a little more choice. Head to Settings > Camera > Lock Screen Swipe to Open Camera if you want to make the change.
What else has changed?
Elsewhere, iOS 26.1 adds a mix of quality-of-life enhancements across the system. Live Translation via AirPods now supports Chinese (both Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, and Italian, expanding its usefulness for travellers and language learners alike.
Apple Music has gained new swipe gestures on the MiniPlayer to skip tracks, along with AutoMix support when streaming over AirPlay – handy for smooth cross-fades through your home speakers. Recording tools see a boost too, with adjustable gain for external USB microphones and the ability to choose where local capture files are saved.
Fitness enthusiasts can now log workouts manually directly from the Fitness app, and a new Camera setting allows you to disable the swipe-to-open shortcut from the Lock Screen if you prefer a cleaner experience. FaceTime audio quality has been improved in low-bandwidth conditions, and Apple has tightened parental protections by enabling Communication Safety and web content filters by default for existing child accounts aged 13–17.
As usual, iOS 26.1 also includes various behind-the-scenes bug fixes and security patches. Apple rarely shares details, but keeping your device up to date is always the best way to stay protected.
How to update
To install the update, open Settings > General > Software Update and follow the prompts to download and restart your iPhone. If you have automatic updates enabled, it may install on its own overnight.