Apple has rolled out iOS 26.1 Beta 4 to developers, marking another step towards the official release of iOS 26.1.
The latest beta focuses on fine-tuning system visuals, user customization, and daily performance.
Key highlights include the long-awaited Liquid Glass interface customization, a new lock screen camera control, and several layout improvements aimed at improving the user experience.
The update continues Apple’s trend of constant, incremental improvement as the operating system approaches its public release.
Version information
The new version, numbered 23B5073A, signals a near-final version generally preceding the Release Candidate stage.
Updates for iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, HomePodOS, and visionOS 26.1 were released simultaneously.
Download size varies by device, averaging around 2.5 GB, and no modem firmware changes are included in this beta.
Apple is expected to release the RC version by the end of October, with a stable public rollout in early November.
Key updates
Customizable liquid glass
Users can now customize the Liquid Glass display effect, a visual feature first introduced in iOS 26.
The new option in Settings → Display & Brightness → Liquid Glass allows users to toggle between “Clear” for transparency and “Tint” for a frosted glass look.
This provides more control over the appearance of system menus and notifications on the interface.
Switching the camera on the lock screen
A new toggle allows you to disable the swipe left gesture to open the camera from the lock screen.
This small but handy feature prevents accidental camera launches and provides more flexibility when it comes to privacy and control.
Show wallpaper zoom and preview
The Display Zoom section now includes the official iOS 26 wallpaper, replacing the placeholder of earlier beta versions.
The change brings a more consistent and polished visual consistency to the Settings app.
Phone haptic settings
Apple has added an option under Settings → Phone to enable or disable haptic feedback for call connections and disconnects, giving users more precise control over touch notifications during calls.
Refining the layout of Siri and Apple Intelligence
The Siri and Apple Intelligence settings pages have been visually realigned, moving from centered text to left-justified text.
This subtle change improves readability and aligns with Apple’s broader goals for UI consistency across devices.
Besides, internal reports suggest that Apple is already testing a major AI-based Siri overhaul for spring 2026, after discovering inconsistent behavior in early versions of iOS 26.4.
Performance
Benchmark tests on the iPhone 17 Pro Max show stable results, with single-core scores near 3,875 and multi-core scores around 9,600, almost identical to those of the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Beta 3.
Battery efficiency and heat management remain stable, with marginal improvements in sleep mode.
Application switching and animations are smooth and the system demonstrates consistent responsiveness to daily workloads.
Bug fixes
– Fixed an issue where the screen would sleep unexpectedly when using lock screen apps like Calculator or Notes.
– Fixed display issues with highlighted menu in Notes and text editors.
– Removed dark shadow artifacts appearing behind application folders.
– Improved wallpaper color consistency when switching between light and dark modes.
– Improved app library search responsiveness and minor stability improvements.
Editor’s Comments
iOS 26.1 Beta 4 is shaping up to be one of the last preview releases before Apple rolls out the Release Candidate.
Compared to iOS 26.0This update emphasizes user control and subtle UI improvements over major feature introductions.
The new Liquid Glass customization feature is particularly noteworthy, signaling Apple’s gradual opening to greater visual customization in iOS.
As Apple moves closer to public release, these improvements strengthen system stability and suggest a more flexible direction for future iOS design updates.
