iOS 26.1 Has Arrived: Adjustable 'Glass' UI, AI Translation, and Key Fixes

Apple has officially rolled out the first major update for iOS 26. While some anticipated features like the full Apple Intelligence suite for all regions have not yet arrived, this version brings a host of significant improvements and highly-requested features that make it a worthwhile upgrade.

Here’s a quick look at the highlights:

  • Adjustable transparency for the 'Liquid Glass' effect
  • Option to disable the lock screen camera shortcut
  • A new design for dismissing alarms
  • Live Translate now supports Chinese
iOS 26.1

Liquid Glass Appearance

The new "Liquid Glass" aesthetic has been a point of contention since its debut, with Apple making several adjustments in beta versions to improve readability. In iOS 26.1, Apple puts the choice in the user's hands by allowing you to adjust the effect's contrast. You can now choose between "Transparent" and "Tinted." The default "Transparent" look is the clear glass effect from the initial iOS 26 release. The new "Tinted" option reduces the transparency, which can make text easier to read, though it slightly diminishes the refined look. This change primarily affects the lock screen notifications and some app controls rather than being a system-wide toggle. Additionally, UI elements like the Home Screen Dock and the Photos app have increased blur effects to further enhance legibility.

iOS 26.1

Disabling the Lock Screen Camera

iOS 26.1 introduces another highly requested feature: the ability to disable the swipe-left gesture for the camera on the lock screen. By turning this off in the Camera settings, you can prevent the camera from accidentally opening when your phone is in a bag or pocket, a common annoyance for many users.


Swipe to Dismiss Alarm

The much-criticized alarm interface has been redesigned in iOS 26.1. To completely turn off an alarm, you must now slide a bar at the bottom of the screen. This is a significant improvement over the previous version, where the large "Stop" and "Snooze" buttons were easy to mix up, especially when half-asleep. This small change makes the process more deliberate and helps prevent accidentally oversleeping.

iOS 26.1

AI Updates and Chinese Language Support

While the full Apple Intelligence experience remains delayed in some regions, iOS 26.1 expands its language capabilities. The system now supports Traditional Chinese for writing tools and notification summaries, in addition to the previously added Simplified Chinese. Furthermore, the Live Translate feature for AirPods now supports both Simplified and Traditional Chinese (Mandarin), allowing for real-time, on-device translation with low latency. Unfortunately, because this feature relies on Apple Intelligence, it is not yet available in all regions.

iOS 26.1

Other Feature Updates

Beyond the major changes, iOS 26.1 includes several smaller but welcome refinements. Folders and Settings pages now use a left-aligned design for better consistency across the system. In Apple Music, you can now swipe left or right to change tracks, both in the mini-player and the full-screen interface. Finally, a new setting for automatic security updates allows your iPhone to download and install important security patches in the background, similar to the Rapid Security Response (RSR) feature from previous iOS versions.

Slide Over Returns to iPadOS 26.1

iPadOS 26.1 was released alongside its iOS counterpart, bringing back the popular "Slide Over" multitasking feature. Users can once again open apps in a smaller floating window on the side of the screen. The update also includes the adjustable Liquid Glass effect. Meanwhile, macOS 26.1 is a more minor update, primarily focused on bug fixes and the new glass effect, with the highly anticipated return of Launchpad still pending.

ipadOS 26.1
macos 26.1

Compared to the initial release, iOS 26.1 feels like the complete version of the OS, offering better performance, stability, and a more refined feature set. It is a highly recommended update for anyone already on iOS 26, especially those with an iPhone 14 or newer device that can best handle the new, animation-rich user interface.

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