Apple’s iOS 26.1 Update: Enhancements and New Features
Apple’s latest iOS update, available for eligible devices from Monday, brings a highly-requested tweak: the ability to change the transparency of the translucent liquid glass design. While it may not introduce major features, this cosmetic update adds flexibility for users to customize their interface.
Adjusting the Liquid Glass Transparency
If the look of iOS 26 was not to your liking, previous options were limited to reducing transparency through accessibility settings, effectively turning off the liquid glass overlay. With the introduction of iOS 26.1, users can navigate to Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass and select between the original “Clear” option or a more opaque “Tinted” alternative. Notably, this update allows users to maintain the aesthetic appeal while enhancing visibility.
Image Credits: Screenshot by TechCrunch
New Gestures and Features
Beyond transparency adjustments, iOS 26.1 offers new gestures for home screen customization. One notable addition is the option to open the camera app by swiping to the left on the lock screen. This feature can be configured under Settings > Camera > Lock Screen Swipe to Open Camera.
This update also enables local audio and video recording during video calls, a useful feature for users conducting podcasts or recording conversations on the go. Apple initially unveiled this functionality for iPadOS during the Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC) in June.
Language Support and Usability Enhancements
The iOS 26.1 update introduces support for eight new languages for Apple Intelligence, including Traditional Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Portuguese (Portugal), Vietnamese, and Turkish. In addition, live translation support has been expanded to include Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), Italian, Japanese, and Korean.
Other quality-of-life improvements entail smoother gestures for song changes in Apple Music, the introduction of a slider for stopping alarms instead of a button (to prevent accidental shut-offs), and the capability to automatically install security improvements.
How to Update
To take advantage of these new features and enhancements, simply navigate to Settings > General > Software update on your device.
For more details, check the source here.
Image Credit: techcrunch.com
