iOS 26.1 Update: Release Date, New Features, Supported iPhones, and Installation Guide

Apple is preparing to launch the new iPhone software update, iOS 26.1, which at last has come to beta testers as a Release Candidate (RC). It is done to improve the user experience through various design changes, gesture updates, and personalization features with the introduction of a “Liquid Glass” option. The following provides an overview of the major changes and additions in the iOS 26.1 update to come.

iOS 26.1 Features and Improvements

The iOS 26.1 update is packed with great visual and usability improvements that are making the iPhones even more user-friendly devices.

Liquid Glass Toggle: A feature that is being greatly talked about, it allows the user to dress up the iPhone interface in two different ways - Clear (a see-through look) and Tinted (a gentle, non-descript appearance).

Slide to Stop Alarm: Users will now be able to slide to stop or snooze the alarms in the Clock app, thereby eliminating accidental dismissals.

Lock Screen Camera Toggle: This long-awaited feature in Settings has now been added by Apple. It lets you turn off the Lock Screen camera shortcut and thus avoid unwanted camera activities.

Apple Music Gestures: Playback control is made easier as users can now swipe their way between songs in Apple Music.

Language & Accessibility Updates: The global user base will now have better access to Apple Intelligence and AirPods with the added support of languages and accessibility features.

iOS 26.1 Supported Devices

iOS 26.1 update will support:

iPhone 11 and all the later models

iPhone SE (2nd generation) onwards

The latest iPhone 17 series, which includes the iPhone 17 Air, comes with iOS 26 out of the box. Nonetheless, Apple Intelligence capabilities are still limited to iPhone 15 Pro and newer devices.

How to Install iOS 26.1

Once the public rollout starts, users will have the following steps to easily download and install iOS 26.1:

Go to the Settings app.

Open General → Software Update.

Wait for iOS 26.1 to show up.

Hit Download and Install.

Type in your passcode and let your device reboot.

Your iPhone will then be updated to the latest iOS version with all the new features and performance improvements.

iOS 26.1 Release Date

The public rollout of iOS 26.1 is expected in the first week of November 2025, since Apple has already supplied the Release Candidate build to developers and beta testers. Apple normally releases the final version within a week after the RC rollout, thus iPhone users will not have to wait long.

Key Highlights

iOS 26.1 RC build released for beta testing

The new “Liquid Glass” personalization switch

Clock and Music apps’ gestures made better

Lock Screen camera shortcut deactivation option introduced

Wider Apple Intelligence and AirPods language support

Expected to launch: Early November 2025