iOS 26.1 lets you tweak Liquid Glass
Apple has rolled out iOS 26.1 for iPhones, bringing back a level of control many users have been asking for. The update introduces a Liquid Glass toggle, letting users adjust how transparent the interface looks.
With this change, iPhone owners can choose between two design styles — the default translucent look and a new frosted version that adds more opacity and contrast. This option helps make buttons, tabs, and navigation bars easier to read, fixing one of the biggest complaints about iOS 26’s glossy redesign.
What’s new in iOS 26.1
The Liquid Glass toggle is not the only highlight. Apple has packed the update with a range of small but useful improvements that enhance everyday experiences across apps.
For music lovers, Apple Music gets two new features: a MiniPlayer swipe gesture for skipping tracks and AutoMix support over AirPlay. Together, these features make playback smoother and more seamless.
Apple has also added gain control for external USB microphones, allowing users to adjust input levels when recording with local capture. The update even lets you save capture files to specific locations, offering better organization for creators and podcasters.
Smarter communication and accessibility
Communication gets a boost in iOS 26.1. The update expands Live Translation support for AirPods, now covering Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean, and Italian. This improvement makes live conversations smoother for multilingual users.
Apple also upgraded FaceTime audio, ensuring clearer calls in low-bandwidth conditions — especially helpful for users in areas with limited network coverage.
For families, Communication Safety and web content filters are now enabled by default for child accounts aged 13–17. These updates automatically restrict access to adult websites, depending on the region.
Fitness and camera updates
The Fitness app now supports manual workout logging, allowing users to record exercise data directly. It’s a practical improvement for those who track workouts outside of Apple Watch or other smart devices.
The Camera app gains a setting to disable the Lock Screen swipe-to-open shortcut — a small change that helps prevent accidental camera launches from the lock screen.
Other updates across Apple platforms
Alongside iOS 26.1, Apple has released iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, watchOS 26.1, visionOS 26.1, and tvOS 26.1. These updates bring similar stability and usability improvements across the ecosystem.
With these changes, Apple aims to refine its recent design overhaul and address user feedback from iOS 26. The new options make the interface more flexible and user-friendly without altering the overall design identity.
