Apple has just released new software for all of its major platforms. Here’s what is new.
iOS 26.1/iPadOS 26.1
First up, Apple has released iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1
You can download the update by going to Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone or iPad.
Here are the complete iOS 26.1 release notes:
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
Here are the release notes for iPadOS 26.1
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
watchOS 26.1, tvOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1
Other Apple software updates arriving today include macOS Tahoe 26.1, watchOS 26.1, and tvOS 26.1.
Here’s what’s new on the Mac:
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 AutoMix support over AirPlay
– 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: support.apple.com/100100.
Some features may not be available in all regions or on all Apple devices. To learn more, please visit: apple.com/macos/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: support.apple.com/125039.
To update, go to the Software Update in System Settings.
watchOS 26.1 only features “improvements and bug fixes” according to Apple.
You’ll need an Apple Watch 6 or later, any Apple Watch Ultra, or the second- or third-generation Apple Watch SE to upgrade. The update can be downloaded now through the companion Watch app on your iPhone by heading to General > Software Update in the My Watch portion of the app. You can also go to Settings > General > Software Update on an Apple Watch.
Your watch needs to have more than 50 percent power and connected to a charger. Like most Apple Watch updates, it could take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour to complete, so be patient.
While tvOS 26.1 is now available, Apple didn’t state any changes in the software.
An update should automatically be downloaded to an Apple TV HD or Apple TV 4K.
If you haven’t already enabled automatic updates, you can download the software by heading to Settings > System > Software Updates > Update Software. Right next to the button to update software is the toggle switch to turn on automatic updates.
