Apple has released iOS 26.1, its first major update following iOS 26, which focuses less on flashy new features and more on smoothing out performance, tightening security, and improving day-to-day usability.
The update was made available on November 3, 2025, roughly a month after iOS 26’s launch, and it is compatible with the iPhone 11 and newer models (including the second-generation iPhone SE).
Supported devices, such as iPhone 11 or newer supported devices can now update to iOS 26.1 and which includes a bundle of performance enhancements, major security patches, and smarter usability improvements.
For organisations managing lots of devices, installing the update also helps ensure a consistent, more secure environment across devices. Users can install it by going to Settings, then General, and Software Update. There is a need to back up your data and plug in your device, as it is a large download.
The update also spans across Apple’s ecosystem, which includes iPad, Mac, Watch, and Apple TV, because some of the fixes apply to shared system components.
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One of the early complaints with iOS 26 was the new ‘Liquid Glass’ interface style, which some users found too light, transparent, and low-contrast. With iOS 26.1, Apple gives users a toggle between clear (the original transparent look), tinted (which adds more opacity for better contrast).
This can be found in Settings, then Display & Brightness then Liquid Glass. The change affects lock screen, notifications, and search bars. If you need even more visual relief, the accessibility settings offer reduced transparency and increased contrast.
This update addresses several small yet irritating issues in daily phone use, as you can now turn off the swipe-to-open Camera from the lock screen (under Settings, then Camera, then Lock Screen Swipe to Open Camera), which is a feature that was causing unwanted photos and battery drain.
Alarms and timers now require a deliberate swipe to turn off, reducing accidental dismissals. iPad users also get smoother multitasking with improved Slide Over.
The update also includes enhanced tools for those who record, translate, or work with media, such as for external USB microphones, as you now get gain control directly on the iPhone and a choice of where to save your recordings, which is helpful for podcasting, voice-overs, or music.
Live Translation expands to include more languages (Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Italian). When used with AirPods, cross-language conversations get smoother.
In Apple Music, MiniPlayer now supports swiping to switch songs faster, and AutoMix playlists get improved AirPlay support. The Fitness app now also supports manual workout logging.
For younger users between the ages of 13 to 17, Apple now turns on by default features like Communication Safety and Web Content Filters, which block access to adult websites and filter explicit message content without requiring manual activation.
Roughly 50 critical bugs have been patched. Examples include a fix for the mail app loading remote content when privacy settings forbade it, and a memory-access vulnerability that allowed some apps to over-reach.
For users in regions where privacy and data misuse are growing concerns (such as Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana), this update is particularly meaningful.
