Apple releases iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1 with Liquid Glass

Apple released iOS 26.1 to the public this week, issued a separate security update for older devices and opened beta testing of iOS 26.2, marking a busy software cycle for iPhone and iPad users. The public iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1 updates are available now, iOS 18.7.2 arrived shortly afterward for devices not running iOS 26, and developer betas for iOS 26.2 began rolling out this week.

iOS 26.1 adds a dedicated Liquid Glass transparency control, letting users adjust the visual effect introduced with iOS 26. The new setting, found under Settings, Display Brightness, Liquid Glass, offers Clear and Tinted options so users can choose between the original translucent look or a more opaque presentation that may improve readability. iPadOS 26.1 restores the Slide Over multitasking feature for touchscreen users, while Split View remains absent under the new windowing model.

Apple said the iOS 18.7.2 update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users who have not moved to iOS 26. The release notes and updated security documentation list more than 25 fixes addressing vulnerabilities in components such as Find My, Safari, Notes, Mail and Camera. iOS 18.7.2 and the...