With the new iPhone 17 models in customers’ hands and iOS 26 finding its way to hundreds of millions of iPhones, it’s time to move on to the first major update to Apple’s iPhones: iOS 26.1.
Apple released the first beta to developers on Monday, September 22. We don’t yet have a full picture of what this update will add or change, but the beta should last 2-3 weeks with a final version out in early October, if we follow the pattern of past iOS releases.
Updated Oct. 20: The fourth beta of iOS 26.1 is out now. It adds two useful new interface toggles in Settings.
iOS 26.1: What’s new
Apple Intelligence languages: This update adds multiple new languages to Apple Intelligence features—Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, Chinese (Traditional), and Vietnamese.
Live Translation languages: Live Translation is now available in the following additional languages—Japanese, Korean, Chinese (Traditional), and Chinese (Simplified).
Swipe in Apple Music: You can finally swipe left and right on album art in the Now Playing screen to change tracks in Apple Music. Swiping works on the little minimized player as well.
Minor visual updates: There’s some minor visual polish in the animations and layouts of menus and controls in some apps, and more consistent application of Liquid Glass througought.
Slide to Stop alarm: The alarm ringing screen used to have large Snooze and Stop buttons, but the Stop button is now a Slide to Stop interface. This should make it harder to accidentally stop your alarm.
Slide Over returns (iPadOS): On iPad, the second beta of iOS 26.1 brought back Slide Over. Tap the green button to enter window sizing controls and select “Enter Slide Over.” The new Slide Over window is basically just a pre-sized and positioned window of the new iPad windowing interface, set to always be on top.
Custom workouts: You can add custom workouts on iPhone in the Fitness app, to register a workout you forgot to track. Select type, start time, duration, and adjust effort and estimated calorie burn.
Liquid Glass tint option: In Settings > Display and Brightness you’ll find an option to select between Clear and Tinted for the Liquid Glass effect.
Disable lock screen Camera swipe: In Settings > Camera you’ll find a new “Lock Screen Swipe to Launch Camera” toggle. Disabling this longstanding iOS behavior may reduce accidental camera launches.
iOS 26.1: How to install the public beta
If you want to test the iOS 26 beta releases but are not a registered developer, follow these steps:
- Click Sign Up on the Apple Beta page and register with your Apple ID.
- Log in to the Beta Software Program.
- Click Enroll your iOS device.
- Open the Settings app, tap General, then Software Update.
- In the Beta Updates section, select the iOS Public Beta.
It may take a few moments after registering for the beta option to appear in Software Update.
iOS 26.1: How to install the developer beta
You’ll need to be registered as an Apple developer, but a free developer account will do. You can get one via Xcode or the Apple Developer app in iOS. Here’s how to do it via the Apple Developer app:
- Download the Apple Developer App from the App Store.
- Open the app.
- Tap on Account.
- Sign in using your usual Apple ID.
Find out everything you need to know about iOS 18 in our iOS 26 superguide.
Author: Jason Cross, Senior Editor, Macworld
Jason has written about technology for more than 25 years - first in the gaming press, then focusing on enthusiast PCs and general technology. He enjoys learning how complicated technology works and explaining it in a way anyone can understand.