Apple iOS 26.1: Every New Feature Coming to Your iPhone

Apple has officially begun beta testing iOS 26.1, marking the first major update to its iOS 26 operating system. While it doesn’t bring the long-awaited upgraded Siri, it introduces plenty of small but meaningful improvements that polish the iPhone experience — from a new Liquid Glass toggle to refreshed Apple Intelligence features.

Below, we’ll explore every confirmed feature, plus how tools like Smart Transfer can make your transition to new iOS versions seamless.

Liquid Glass Customization Arrives

Apple’s signature “Liquid Glass” interface now gets a transparency toggle for deeper personalization. Under Settings > Display & Brightness, users can choose between Clear and Tinted modes.

• Clear Mode: Retains the traditional transparent look, revealing subtle visuals beneath menus and buttons.
  
  

• Tinted Mode: Adds contrast and slightly increases opacity, making text and icons stand out more.

This change offers users a way to fine-tune the appearance of their device to suit lighting conditions or personal style.

Lock Screen Camera Swipe Control

For years, the ability to swipe left on the Lock Screen to access the Camera app was both a convenience and a privacy concern. Now, iOS 26.1 introduces a “Lock Screen Swipe to Open Camera” toggle under Settings > Camera. Disabling this option prevents accidental or unauthorized camera access — a simple yet smart addition.

Improved Haptics and Clock Features

In the Phone app, a new toggle allows users to disable haptic feedback when calls connect or drop, offering a quieter, less distracting experience.

Meanwhile, the Clock app gains a “slide to stop” gesture for alarms and timers. Instead of tapping to stop an alarm, users now need to slide — a subtle change that prevents sleepy mis-taps.

New Languages for Apple Intelligence and AirPods

Apple continues to expand its AI and translation ecosystem. With iOS 26.1, Apple Intelligence now supports additional languages including Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Traditional Chinese, and Vietnamese.

AirPods also get smarter — Live Translation now includes Japanese, Korean, Italian, and Chinese (both Mandarin Simplified and Traditional).

Apple Music, Apple TV, and Fitness App Upgrades

You can now swipe directly on song titles in Apple Music to change tracks — a small but satisfying touch that improves navigation. The Apple TV app also gets a refreshed icon featuring the Liquid Glass aesthetic.

In the Fitness app, users can finally create custom workouts, defining their own effort level, duration, start time, and calorie targets — perfect for those who want full control over their fitness goals.

Every new iOS release brings excitement — but also the challenge of transferring data to new devices. That’s where Smart Transfer, a trusted third-party app, steps in.

Smart Transfer enables seamless phone transfer, android file transferring, and wifi files sharing between devices. Whether you’re upgrading your iPhone, switching to Android, or syncing content across multiple phones, Smart Transfer ensures your photos, videos, contacts, and files move effortlessly and securely.

With just a few taps, you can migrate your data without cables, accounts, or storage limits — making it an essential tool for anyone navigating iOS updates or switching devices.

Interface Refinements and Accessibility Enhancements

Apple’s obsession with detail continues. In Settings, all header text is now left-aligned for a cleaner visual hierarchy, extending this change to sections like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Accessibility. The same alignment also appears in Home Screen folders and the Apple Intelligence settings.

Additionally, a new Display Borders toggle under Accessibility > Display & Text Size replaces the old Button Shapes feature, improving visual clarity for users with accessibility needs.

Photos, Safari, and Wallpaper Adjustments

In the Photos app, Apple refined video scrubbing controls and adjusted the navigation bar to offer better visibility against lighter backgrounds. In Safari, the bottom tab bar is now wider and more balanced, especially in Reduce Transparency mode.

When setting a new wallpaper, iOS 26.1 introduces smoother “Pinch to Crop” animations that briefly appear before fading away — a subtle nod to Apple’s evolving design philosophy.

Privacy, Security, and Local Capture Upgrades

Apple enhances safety with a new automatic toggle for background security improvements. It revamps the older Rapid Security Response system, allowing iPhones to automatically download and install critical updates in the background.

Users can now also choose a storage location for recorded calls directly from Settings > General > Local Capture, offering better control over media management and privacy.

Bonus: iPadOS 26.1 Brings Back Slide Over

The iPadOS 26.1 update mirrors many iPhone improvements while reintroducing Slide Over — a beloved multitasking feature. Users can now quickly access another app as a floating window without disrupting their main workflow. Additionally, external microphone input gain can now be adjusted manually, a long-requested feature by creators and podcasters.

Release Date and Compatibility

The iOS 26.1 beta is currently available to developers and public testers through Apple’s official Beta Program. The final release is expected between late October and early November.

All iPhones compatible with iOS 26 will receive the update, continuing Apple’s strong commitment to long-term device support.

Final Thoughts

Apple’s iOS 26.1 may not reinvent the iPhone experience, but it elevates it — refining visuals, improving privacy, and enhancing daily usability. It’s a reminder that sometimes, perfection lies in the details.

And as you prepare for future updates or new devices, remember: tools like Smart Transfer ensure your memories, media, and files always travel safely with you — wherever technology takes you next.