Apple has come up with a major iOS 26.1 update, which started rolling out on Monday. This is the first iOS 26 OS update after its release. Now the iPhone gets much more customized, smarter. This time, we get to see some best user interface refinements, expanded language support for AI (Apple Intelligence), accessibility enhancements, and AirPods Live translation.
While looking at some of the important updates of iOS 26.1 on the iPhone.
Important Updates
Liquid Glass Color Customization: You may now toggle between a clear or tinted look for the Liquid Glass interface, increasing opacity for easier textual readability of menus and notifications while removing unwanted transparency.
Lockscreen Camera Swipe Control: iOS 26.1 notes presently enable users to disable lock screen swipe gestures for access to the camera to avoid accidental shots and battery usage.
Slide to Stop Alarm and Timers: Post Apple alarm updates. Once users dismiss alarms, they will now require a slide gesture, thus lowering the risk of accidentally silencing the alarm and reducing reliance on accidental alarm functions to awaken.
Live Translation Expansions: AirPods introduced support for live translation for additional languages, now including Chinese Simplified and Traditional, Japanese, Korean, and Italian, which will provide access to additional languages on the go.
Apple Music Updates: The Music MiniPlayer now supports swipe gestures to change songs, and AutoMix for AirPlay has been added for music listening events to be livelier.
USB Microphone Gain Control: If you use external USB microphones for local recording, Apple noted they will now allow you to adjust gain levels from your iPhone, and sound to save sound files to specific locations.
Exercise Tracking and Fitness: One time, it was possible for you to manually log your workouts right in the Fitness app so that you would have accurate and precise records of your workouts.
Exercise Tracking and Fitness: At present, it is possible for you to manually enter your workouts in the Fitness app so that you can keep accurate records of all your workouts.
Improvements/Fixes
Camera Settings: Now, there is an option to disable the swipe-to-open camera from your Lock Screen, so it can help to reduce the accidental launch of the camera and save battery life.
FaceTime Audio: There is an Improved audio quality also in low-bandwidth conditions on FaceTime to perform calls clearly, even in less-than-ideal network conditions.
Child Accounts: Communication Safety and the web filters to block adult sites are now turned on by default for child accounts ages 13 – 17, depending on the country or region.
General Stability & Battery Life: Apple reports improved overall performance, battery life, and privacy protection in this release.
Should you update now?
For the most part, yes, you should update. Here’s why:
1. It comes with some important security updates that are always good to have for your iPhone device.
2. It also provides better UI control (Liquid Glass toggle) and adds some language support if you use those features.
3. It also helps to fix several types of user-reported bugs or issues (gesture control, localization, etc.).
