iOS 26.1 Update Released for iPhone & iPad

Apple has released iOS 26.1 for iPhone, and iPadOS 26.1 for iPad. These are the first major point release updates for iOS 26, and offer a few changes, new features, bug fixes, and security enhancements, and are therefore recommended for users running iOS 26 or iPadOS 26.

You will find a new toggle for Liquid Glass that allows for a tinted higher contrast look, or the default Clear look. There are new language options for Live Translation with AirPods, and iPad regains the Slide Over multitasking capability. The release notes don’t mention many bug fixes, but it’s likely there are many included in the update that are not specified in the release notes, which are available below for both iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1.

Separately, Apple has also released macOS Tahoe 26.1, watchOS 26.1, tvOS 26.1, and security updates to older iPhone, iPad, and Mac hardware as well.

How to Download & Install iOS 26.1 / iPadOS 26.1 Update

You will want to backup to iCloud before starting any system software update:

1. Open the “Settings” app on the iPhone or iPad
2. Go to “General”, and then go to “Software Update”
3. Select to “Update Now” to download and install iOS 26.1 for iPhone or iPadOS 26.1 for iPad

If you are not yet on iOS 26 and remain on iOS 18, you will find iOS 18.7.2 available as a security update instead.

The iOS 26.1 update is a few GB and requires the device to restart to finish installing. The update may take longer to install than usual, so have patience.

You can also update iPhone or iPad with a computer, if you prefer.

iOS 26.1 IPSW Firmware Download Links

The links below point to Apple CDN servers for iOS 26.1 IPSW firmware files, which can be used for updating manually by more advanced users :

• Updating…

iOS 26.1 Release Notes

Release notes for iOS 26.1 for iPhone are as follows:

Apple’s release notes for the update are below.

This update includes the following features and enhancements:
– Liquid Glass setting gives you the option to choose between the default clear look or a new tinted look which increases opacity of the material in apps and notifications on the Lock Screen
– Live Translation with AirPods support for Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, Korean and Italian
– Apple Music MiniPlayer swipe gesture to go to the next or previous track
– Apple Music AutoMix support over AirPlay
– Gain control is available for external USB microphones when recording with local capture
– Local capture files can be saved to a specific location
– Manual workout logging is available directly from the Fitness app
– New Camera setting to turn on or off Lock Screen swipe to open Camera
– Improved FaceTime audio quality in low-bandwidth conditions
– Communication Safety and Web content filters to limit adult websites are enabled by default for existing child accounts for ages 13-17 (Age varies by country or region)

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/100100

Some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPhone models. To learn more, please visit:
https://apple.com/ios/feature-availability/

Software updates, like this one, add new features and improvements that may affect performance and/or battery life. To learn more, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/125039

Attempting to scroll through the release notes on iPhone is a real joy, with random incongruent and enormous font sizes, and sometimes an inability to scroll through the release notes at all, but the release notes repeated above are what you would be reading if you are experiencing legibility issues like the screenshot below.

iPadOS 26.1 Release Notes

Release notes for iPadOS 26.1 are as follows:

Slide Over
– Slide Over lets you keep a window on top of other windows, and easily hide off screen when not in use
– Resizable windows in Slide Over let you choose your preferred size and aspect ratio

Local capture
– Gain control is available for external USB microphones when recording with local capture
– Option to let you choose where local capture files are saved

This update includes the following features and enhancements:
– Liquid Glass setting gives you the option to choose between the default clear look or a new tinted look which increases opacity of the material in apps and notifications on the Lock Screen
– Apple Music MiniPlayer swipe gesture to go to the next or previous track
– Apple Music AutoMix support over AirPlay
– New Camera setting to turn on or off Lock Screen swipe to open Camera
– Improved FaceTime audio quality in low-bandwidth conditions
– Communication Safety and Web content filters to limit adult websites are enabled by default for existing child accounts for ages 13-17 (Age varies by country or region)
– Discover new content, spatial experiences, and quickly access information about your device using Apple Vision Pro app, now available on iPad

For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/100100

Some features may not be available in all regions or on all iPad models. To learn more, please visit:
https://apple.com/ios/feature-availability/

Software updates, like this one, add new features and improvements that may affect performance and/or battery life. To learn more, please visit:
https://support.apple.com/125039

Don’t forget to update your other Apple devices as well, as just about everything has a software update available to download and install.