Apple has finally released the iOS 26.1 update. It is the first big update since the iOS 26 came out in September 2025. This version has improvements with Liquid Glass, Apple Intelligence, and more. It also includes small changes for people who love the details.
In this article, we will talk about the iOS 26.1 release date, iOS 26.1 eligible devices, and more. Let’s get started:
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iOS 26.1 Update Release Date In India
Let’s check out the details about release date and rollout timeline.
| Milestone | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Beta 1 | September 23, 2025 | Added new Liquid Glass opacity settings and more language options |
| Beta 6 | October 25, 2025 | Finished Live Translate languages and added “Slide to Stop” for alarms |
| Release Candidate | October 28, 2025 | Same version as the final public release |
| Public Launch | November 3, 2025 | About 750 MB on iPhone 16 Pro, released in waves around the world |
The final version (build 24B82) is around 6.2 GB if you’re updating from iOS 25. It is only 740–820 MB if you already have iOS 26.0.
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iOS 26.1 Update: All Features Explained
Let’s check out all other features:
Liquid Glass Opacity Slider
When iOS 26 first came out, everyone was amazed by its new Liquid Glass design. This design showed up everywhere: on the Home Screen widgets, Control Centre, and even the Lock Screen.
But not everyone loved how see-through it was. Some people said the default Clear mode made things too hard to see.
Now, with iOS 26.1, Apple lets you customise the look. You can adjust the clarity of the glass effect. This makes your screen easier to read.
Go to: Settings > Display & Brightness > Appearance > Liquid Glass
There are three main modes you can choose from:
| Mode | Visual Effect |
|---|---|
| Clear | Shiny, frosted-glass look (the default from iOS 26) |
| Tinted | Darker, smoky glass that reduces glare and increases contrast |
| Solid | Not see-through at all, with strong contrast (like iOS 24’s “Reduce Transparency”) |
If you turn on “Match Wallpaper,” your iPhone automatically changes the colour of the glass to match your background.
“Slide to Stop” Alarms & Timers
This is one feature which I personally liked. Apple has now introduced a slider instead of a big red button to stop the alarm. It vibrates gently as you drag it, and you only need to slide it to 60% to stop the alarm. It even works with Do Not Disturb, Sleep Focus, and Bedtime Mode.
If you use two fingers to slide, it stops the alarm and starts a 5-minute snooze at the same time.
Swipe to Skip in Apple Music Mini-Player
Finally, the Apple Music mini-player got smarter. You can now use simple swipes:
- Swipe left > Previous track
- Swipe right > Next track
- Long-press > View full lyrics or start a SharePlay session
The swipe is pressure-sensitive. Even a light swipe skips 10 seconds, while a firm one jumps to the next song.
Lock Screen Camera Swipe Toggle
This is clearly one of the most awaited feature. Before this update, there were complaints about people opening their camera accidently directly from the lock screen. But this update has fixed it because now you can turn it off.
Go to: Settings > Lock Screen > Swipe Left for Camera > Off
Once disabled, you can repurpose the swipe for something else.
Newly Supported Languages (On-Device)
Everything happens on your iPhone. No data is sent to Apple’s servers.
| Language | Writing Tools | Image Playground | Genmoji | Siri |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danish | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dutch | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Norwegian (Bokmål) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Portuguese (Portugal) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Swedish | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Turkish | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Traditional Chinese | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Vietnamese | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
AirPods Live Translation: Now in 10 Languages
AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4 (ANC) now show real-time subtitles for:
- Phone calls
- In-person conversations
- Media playback (with passthrough mode)
There are also new Translation Languages in iOS 26.1 like Japanese, Korean, Italian, Mandarin.
Latency is impressively low from Japanese > English, thanks to on-device NPU acceleration.
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Local Capture
For filmmakers, podcasters, and creators, iOS 26.1 update has a new Local Capture panel:
Settings > General > Local Capture
| Option | Function |
|---|---|
| Save to | – Photos – Files – iCloud Drive – External SSD (USB-C) |
| Audio-Only Mode | Records microphone only (great for podcasts or voice memos) |
| ProRes Log (iPhone 16 Pro) | Switch between HDR and Log color profiles mid-recording |
| Frame Rate Lock | Stops automatic frame rate changes (24/30/60 fps) |
Security & Privacy
Critical fixes (like WebKit zero-days) now install quietly in the background—no pop-ups, no restarts.
You can check the log in: Settings > General > About > iOS Version > Security Responses.
iOS 26.1 Update: Eligible Devices
Here is a full compatibility list of all the iPhones that run iOS 26.1:
| Year / Series | iPhone Models |
|---|---|
| 2019 | iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max |
| 2020 | iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max |
| 2021 | iPhone 13, iPhone 13 mini, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max |
| 2022 | iPhone SE (3rd generation), iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max |
| 2023 | iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max |
| 2024 | iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16e |
| 2025 | iPhone 17 series: Pre-loaded with iOS 26, supports iOS 26.1 |
Even though these devices can install iOS 26.1, not all features work equally across all models. Some advanced features (especially parts of Apple Intelligence) require a newer chip.
If you have iPhone which uses the A12 Bionic chip (like iPhone XR, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max). It is not supported for iOS 26.
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iOS 26.1 Update FAQs
When did iOS 26.1 come out?
iOS 26.1 was released on November 3, 2025.
How big is the update?
If you are updating from iOS 26.0, the update is about 740–820 MB. If you are updating from iOS 25, it is around 6.2 GB.
Which iPhones can get iOS 26.1?
iOS 26.1 works on iPhone 11 and newer models, including iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, and 17 series. iPhones with the A12 Bionic chip, like iPhone XR and XS, cannot install this update.
What is the Liquid Glass slider?
The Liquid Glass slider lets you change how see-through the screen looks. There are three options: Clear (default frosted look), Tinted (darker and easier to see), and Solid (not see-through, high contrast).
What is new with alarms?
Alarms now have a slide-to-stop feature instead of a red button. If you slide it with two fingers, it stops the alarm and starts a 5-minute snooze. It works with Sleep Focus and Do Not Disturb.
What is new in Apple Music mini-player?
You can now swipe left for the previous song and swipe right for the next song. Long-pressing lets you view lyrics or start a SharePlay session. Light swipes skip 10 seconds, and hard swipes jump to the next song.
Can I turn off the Lock Screen camera swipe?
Yes. Go to Settings > Lock Screen > Swipe Left for Camera > Off to disable it.
Which new languages are supported?
iOS 26.1 adds support for Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish, Traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese.
What is new with AirPods translation?
AirPods Pro 2, Pro 3, and AirPods 4 can now show real-time subtitles for calls, conversations, and videos. New translation languages include Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Mandarin.
What is Local Capture?
Local Capture lets you record videos and audio and save them to Photos, Files, iCloud Drive, or an external SSD.
Are there any security updates?
Yes, iOS 26.1 installs important security fixes automatically in the background. You can check them at Settings > General > About > iOS Version > Security Responses.
Should I update to iOS 26.1?
Yes, you should update. It fixes problems, adds new features, and makes your iPhone easier and more fun to use.
In A Nutshell
In the end, I can say that Apple has finally listened to a lot of people and fixed some real issues in the iOS 26.1 update. Be it alarm, translation, local capture, it is not easy to use and even more personalised. It is a significant update. If you can, update fast and enjoy a seamless experience.
Let me know what you think about this in the comments section below. I would love to hear you out. Don’t forget to keep visiting this space for all the latest information about the iOS 26.1 update.
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