Apple releases iOS 26.1 update for iPhones: What’s new and what it fixes

Apple has begun rolling out iOS 26.1 to iPhone users, bringing refinements, new control options and key stability fixes following the wider release of iOS 26. The update arrives as Apple continues to smooth out issues reported by early adopters of the major version, particularly around camera behavior, network reliability and UI adjustments introduced in the new 'Liquid Glass' interface.

According to Apple's release notes shared via 9to5Mac, iOS 26.1 introduces a toggle to disable the lock-screen swipe gesture that opens the Camera app, addressing complaints from users who found the shortcut activated unintentionally.

Apple Insider reports that the update also expands Live Translation support for AirPods, adding Italian, Japanese, Korean, and simplified and traditional Chinese.

The Verge notes improvements to FaceTime audio during low-bandwidth calls and the ability to manually log workouts in the Fitness app — a feature users had been requesting since iOS 26 debuted.

Creators and mobile journalists may benefit from improved external USB microphone gain control and more precise file-saving options for recordings, an enhancement also highlighted by 9to5Mac’s coverage of the update.

Alongside feature additions, iOS 26.1 aims to address several issues tied to the launch of iOS 26. The Mac Observer previously documented user reports of battery drain, overheating, camera glitches and networking interruptions following the major upgrade.

Apple has not publicly listed every resolved issue, but the release emphasizes stability, smoother UI transitions and improved performance under the redesigned interface. The update also refines elements of the 'Liquid Glass' look introduced in iOS 26, offering a more 'tinted' variant to improve clarity in certain contexts, according to The Verge’s earlier review coverage.

For many users, the update serves as a recommended step to improve reliability on devices already running iOS 26. Tech-industry commentary had encouraged some users to hold off until this point; TechCabal wrote earlier in the cycle that cautious users might prefer waiting for iOS 26.1 if their iPhone was a primary work device.

Those who depend on accessories like CarPlay or professional recording workflows are advised to install the update after backing up their device and confirming compatibility, as a minority of users had reported accessory-related scaling issues under earlier builds.

Apple has not indicated significant new features beyond these usability adjustments, suggesting that iOS 26.1 is primarily intended to stabilise the iOS 26 platform — while enabling a handful of enhancements in communication, translation and device control.