The latest patch for Apple’s operating systems is available: iOS 26.1 and macOS 26.1 in particular provide a new option for the “Liquid Glass” design, which allows users to control transparency. The update also improves important functions relating to camera access, audio quality and security. Below is an overview of the key new features – and what they mean for everyday use.
Highlights
- Users can now choose between “Clear” and “Tinted” in both systems to regulate the transparency of Liquid Glass
- Access to the camera from the lock screen can be deactivated
- iOS 26.1 brings improvements to FaceTime audio, music gestures, USB microphone control, parental controls and more
- macOS 26.1 receives similar Liquid Glass customization, plus visual changes such as icons and Apple TV
Why the update is relevant
With iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe, Apple introduced the new “Liquid Glass” design line – a highly transparent, glass-like surface that allows deep layers to shine through and creates a modern look. Despite the elegant design, many users had problems with legibility: text and UI elements were sometimes lost in backgrounds.
With version 26.1, Apple is now responding to this – and adding a setting option that allows users to choose between two transparency levels. The standard mode remains “Clear” (maximum transparency), while the “Tinted” mode has been added, which makes the surface a little duller but with greater contrast.
iOS 26.1: Customization options & convenience functions
- Liquid Glass > Settings > Display & Brightness: Choice between “Transparent” (Clear) and “Tinted”.
- Deactivate lock screen camera: If you don’t want the camera function to start by swiping on the lockscreen, you can disable this gesture.
- Optimized music controls: The MiniPlayer now allows swipe gestures to skip tracks forward or back; AutoMix is supported via AirPlay.
- USB microphone level control & storage locations for local recordings: Those using external microphones or recording audio locally can set levels and storage paths.
- FaceTime audio at low bandwidth: Improvements so that audio remains more stable on poor connections.
- Parental control active by default: Communication & web filters are automatically activated in children’s accounts (13-17 years, depending on region).
macOS 26.1: Less spectacular – but targeted
macOS 26.1 brings fewer major new features than iOS, focusing primarily on cosmetic and UI adjustments:
- Liquid Glass transparency can also be selected between Clear and Tinted.
- Deactivating the effect via terminal commands or tools (such as defaults write …) is no longer possible with the update – Apple has removed this configuration key.
- Apple has revised icons (e.g. Apple TV and hard disk icon) and other visual elements.
Conclusion
iOS 26.1 and macOS 26.1 specifically address points of criticism of the new Liquid Glass design: users gain control over transparency and thus more legibility – without having to completely undermine the new style. In addition, useful convenience functions such as camera deactivation from the lock screen, microphone control or optimized audio quality in FaceTime are useful additions.
iOS 26.1 is around 4.6 GB in size and is available for all devices that also support iOS 26. macOS 26.1 is also available via the software update. Anyone who previously struggled with transparency will now find a good balance between aesthetics and practicality.
