Apple Expands iOS 26.1 Beta Features with Liquid Glass Customization and Camera Control

The fourth beta of iOS 26.1 has arrived, giving users more flexibility and control over their iPhone experience. Apple continues to fine-tune the system ahead of its expected public release later this month, addressing some design and usability concerns voiced by early adopters.

One of the most noticeable additions is the Liquid Glass design setting, a feature created to let users choose the visual depth of their interface backgrounds. Until now, iOS 26 introduced an entirely transparent look, but some users found it too bold or distracting. With the new update, two options appear under Settings → Display & Brightness: Transparent and Lightly Tinted. The Lightly Tinted variant softens the visibility of underlying content like wallpapers and notifications, offering a subtler visual experience. This adjustment joins current accessibility tools such as reduced transparency and higher contrast, enhancing visual comfort.

Lock Screen Camera Gesture Control

A second refinement addresses accidental camera activations. Users can now prevent the Camera app from opening when swiping on the lock screen. The new toggle, found under Settings → Camera, labeled as “Swipe to Open Camera on Lock Screen”, can be disabled for those who prefer an uninterrupted unlocking flow. This helps avoid unwanted camera launches during casual interactions with the device.

Another small but notable update appears in Apple Intelligence. Although the beta label has been removed in this version, Apple has not confirmed whether some smart features have officially graduated from beta status. With iOS 26.1, owners of iPhone 15 Pro and newer will gain access to Apple Intelligence in Turkish, expanding the availability of the system’s AI capabilities. In addition, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3, and AirPods 4 are expected to support live translation features, broadening real-time language accessibility.

The update also introduces subtle usability refinements, including the ability to swipe away alarms and skip music tracks in the Apple Music app more seamlessly. With each beta iteration, iOS 26.1 continues to balance innovation and customization, aiming to make the interface both fluid and user-friendly.

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