Apple Rolls Out iOS 26.1 Public Beta 1

Apple has begun releasing the initial public beta of iOS 26.1, arriving just a bit over a week after the significant iOS 26 launch that featured Liquid Glass design and call screening enhancements. Although this update lacks major headlines, it offers notable enhancements and tweaks across various apps and features, refining the iPhone experience overall.

What’s New in iOS 26.1

A standout feature in this update is expanded language support. Apple Intelligence now extends its capabilities to eight more languages, including Traditional Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese (Portugal), Swedish, Turkish, and Vietnamese. This enhancement means more iPhone users can leverage Apple’s AI perks, like improved text generation and on-device assistance.

The AirPods Live Translation feature also benefits from progress, embracing five additional languages: Japanese, Korean, Italian, and both Simplified and Traditional Mandarin. These enhancements, compatible with AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 4, and AirPods Pro 2, result in more conveniences for travelers and multilingual interactions.

On top of AI additions, the update brings subtle yet appreciated UI changes. Apple Music now allows you to swipe left or right on a song title to switch tracks—a quicker alternative to tapping through skip buttons. In Photos, the redesigned video scrubbing bar is more compact and streamlined. List View in the Calendar app features full-width color highlights for enhanced visibility, and the Phone app’s keypad adopts Apple’s new Liquid Glass look.

How to Install the Public Beta

For those already part of Apple’s public beta testing program, the update is ready to be downloaded. Navigate to Settings, then General, and head to Software Update to ensure Beta Updates are on—then you can download and install iOS 26.1. If you’re new to this, sign up at beta.apple.com with your Apple ID before updating

It’s important to note that, as an early beta, it’s advised not to install on your primary iPhone. Test builds often come with bugs, reduced battery life, and instabilities.

Wider Rollout and What’s Next

Alongside iOS 26.1, Apple also released public betas for iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, and watchOS 26.1. These updates bring Apple Intelligence and translation capabilities to a wider range of devices.

While Apple hasn’t announced an official public release date, if past timelines are anything to go by, iOS 26.1 could be widely available by late October 2025 after further beta iterations. This means there’s room for more adjustments or potential features before the final version reaches everyone.

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