Apple has officially released iOS 26.1, introducing two noteworthy new features. First, users can now disable the translucent “Liquid Glass” effect, increasing background opacity for improved clarity. Second, the swipe-right gesture on the Home Screen to open the Camera can now be disabled—another subtle yet practical addition.
The Liquid Glass aesthetic has drawn mixed reactions since its debut. While some users appreciate its modern transparency, many have criticized it for reducing readability, particularly when icons or text blend into semi-transparent backgrounds. This feedback prompted Apple to repeatedly adjust opacity levels throughout the iOS 26 beta cycle.
With iOS 26.1, Apple now offers a customization option: users who prefer a less transparent look can navigate to Settings → Display & Brightness → Liquid Glass → Tint, where the opacity is increased for greater legibility. Choosing “Transparent,” meanwhile, preserves Apple’s default translucent style.
Below is the complete changelog for iOS 26.1:
- Liquid Glass settings now allow users to choose between the default transparent appearance and a new tinted variant, which increases material opacity.
- Supported AirPods models now include real-time translation in Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Italian.
- When using local recording, external USB microphones now support gain control.
- Locally captured files can now be saved to user-specified storage locations.
- A new Camera setting lets users enable or disable the swipe-to-open Camera gesture on the Home Screen.
- The Fitness app now supports manual workout entries directly within the app.
- FaceTime audio quality has been improved under low-bandwidth conditions.
- Apple Music AutoMix now supports AirPlay streaming.
- Within the Apple Music Mini Player, users can now swipe to skip to the previous or next track.
- For existing child accounts aged 13–17, Communication Safety and web content filters are now enabled by default to restrict access to adult websites.