iOS 26.1 Arrives: New iPhone Features and Customizations

Apple is set to release iOS 26.1 in early November, bringing several highly anticipated features and customization options to iPhones. This update addresses user feedback on iOS 26, particularly regarding the new Liquid Glass design and alarm settings.

With a focus on personalization and usability, iOS 26.1 aims to refine the iPhone experience.

Highlights

• iOS 26.1 introduces a toggle to adjust the transparency of the Liquid Glass interface, offering a "Tinted" option for increased opacity.
• Users can now disable the "swipe to open camera" gesture on the lock screen, preventing accidental camera launches.
• The update replaces the "stop" button for alarms with a "slide to stop" gesture, reducing accidental dismissals.

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Top 5 Key Insights

• Liquid Glass Customization: iOS 26.1 allows users to choose between a clear or tinted look for the Liquid Glass design via a toggle in Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass. The tinted option increases opacity, providing more contrast. This addresses user feedback regarding the transparency of the new interface.

• Lock Screen Camera Control: A new setting in Settings > Camera > Lock Screen Swipe to Open Camera enables users to disable the swipe gesture that launches the camera from the lock screen. This prevents accidental camera activations, a common frustration for many users. The feature provides more control over the lock screen experience.

• Enhanced Alarm Interaction: The update replaces the tap-to-stop button for alarms with a slide-to-stop gesture. This change aims to reduce accidental dismissals of alarms and timers. Users who prefer the single-tap action can revert to it via Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Prefer Single-Touch Actions.

• Apple TV Rebrand and Music Gestures: Apple is rebranding its streaming service from Apple TV+ to Apple TV, accompanied by a new app icon. In the Music app, users can now swipe left or right on the MiniPlayer to switch between songs. These changes enhance the user experience across different apps.

• Expanded Language Support: Apple Intelligence gains support for Chinese (Traditional), Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, and Vietnamese. AirPods Live Translation now supports Chinese (Mandarin simplified and traditional), Italian, Japanese, and Korean. This expansion makes these features accessible to a wider global audience.

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Expert Insights

TechRadar: "The latest iOS 26.1 beta finally gives iPhone users what they've been crying out for."

PCMag: "Apple's iOS 26.1 Beta 4 suggests transparency toggles are coming to iPhone, iPad, and Mac."

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Wrap Up

iOS 26.1 focuses on refining the user experience by addressing feedback and providing greater control over customization options. The update balances innovative design with user preferences, ensuring the iPhone remains a personalized and intuitive device.

By introducing features like the Liquid Glass toggle and the lock screen camera control, Apple demonstrates its commitment to user satisfaction and continuous improvement.

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Author

Kenji Tanaka - A technology futurist and digital strategist based in Tokyo, specializing in emerging tech trends and their impact. He explains complex innovations and the future of digital skills for Enlightnr readers.