iOS 26.1 beta expands languages, adds UI tweaks and security updates

Apple has begun rolling out the first beta of iOS 26.1, a modest follow-up to last week’s major iOS 26 launch, seeding the build to developer testers and opening a public beta shortly thereafter. The update, identified in early builds as 23B5044L, broadens language support for Apple Intelligence and Live Translation while introducing a handful of user interface tweaks and code-level hints at future compatibility and security changes.

The headline change in the beta is expanded language support. According to the beta’s code and early tester reports, Apple Intelligence gains eight additional languages, including Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Portuguese for Portugal, Swedish, Turkish, Traditional Chinese and Vietnamese. AirPods Live Translation and related translation features also add languages, with support reported for Japanese, Korean, Italian and both Traditional and Simplified Chinese.

Beyond languages, the beta includes small but visible refinements across core iPhone apps. The Phone app’s keypad adopts the systemwide Liquid Glass visual treatment introduced in iOS 26. Apple Music adds a swipe gesture on the MiniPlayer to skip tracks with haptic feedback. The Photos app gains a...