.png){kind=logo}
Apple begins rolling out iOS 26.1 for iPhones, focusing on refining design elements and improving day-to-day usability. With the latest update, Apple aims to address the most divisive aspect of iOS 16: Liquid Retina, while also introducing smarter app controls, enhanced safety features, and more.
Front and center is the new Liquid Glass setting, allowing users to choose between two visual styles: Clear and Tinted. While the former retains the transparent aesthetic already present in iOS 26, the latter adds a frosted layer that increases opacity, making text and icons easier to read. The move follows broad feedback on the readability of the earlier version.
The update also brings a few welcome app-level improvements. Apple Music gets a new MiniPlayer swipe gesture for quicker track control. AirPods’ Live Translation expands to include Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, and Italian. FaceTime calls are expected to sound clearer on unstable networks, and Fitness app users can now log workouts manually, a small but handy change for fitness enthusiasts.
Also Read: iOS 26 Adaptive Power Brings Smarter Battery Saving for New iPhones
With this release, Apple has made improvements to parental control settings without drawing attention to them. Communication Safety and web content filters that block adult content are automatically activated for children aged 13 to 17, depending on local laws. The shift represents a step in Apple's ongoing campaign to make the internet safer for kids while still keeping it simple for them to use.
To update, first open Settings, then select General, followed by Software Update. Finally, follow the on-screen instructions to download and install iOS 26.1.
iOS 26.1 is available for all iPhones that already support iOS 26, including the iPhone 11 series and newer models, as well as the iPhone SE (2nd generation).
With this release, Apple isn't just polishing visual aesthetics; it is also addressing usability concerns raised by real users, a shift in design philosophy toward clarity and control.
