Apple Update 26.1: The big performance and security update for all your Apple devices!

Hey dear Apple community! ☕

Yesterday the time had finally come: Apple released the long-awaited update 26.1 for all platforms on November 3, 2025 – and as avowed Apple fans, we are thrilled! This update is not packed with gimmicks, but focuses on what really matters: Performance, stability and security.

The focus is on real user-friendliness, not on flashy features. These are exactly the improvements that you notice on the first day after the update.

Let’s go through together what will change for your devices!

📱 iOS 26.1 – Your iPhone gets even better!

The most important innovations:

1st Liquid Glass finally customizable! 🎨

The transparent Liquid Glass design of iOS 26 polarized the user community. Many complained about poor legibility. Apple has now responded with a clever solution.

You can now find two modes under Settings > Display & brightness > Liquid Glass:

• “Clear”: The original transparency (standard)
• “Tinted”: Increased opacity with more contrast for better legibility

If you want even less transparency, you can also use “Reduce transparency” in the accessibility features. This is how Apple does it right – the choice is yours!

2. never oversleep again! ⏰

Alarm clocks and timers now require a swipe to switch off instead of a simple button. No more accidental taps while half asleep! This small change can really save you from missing important appointments.

3. no more pocket photos! 📸

You can finally deactivate the automatic camera opening from the lock screen! Go to: Settings > Camera > Lock screen swipe gesture to open the camera

This frequently requested function shows: Apple is listening! No more accidental photos, no more unnecessary battery consumption.

4th Apple Intelligence in German! 🇩🇪

Apple Intelligence is now available in German in Germany, along with French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese (Brazil), Simplified Chinese, Japanese and Korean.

The AI features automatically adapt to the language you are writing in – perfect for anyone who works in multiple languages!

5. music control made easy 🎵

In the MiniPlayer music app, you can now simply swipe to switch between songs. Small but nice!

Availability:

iOS 26.1 is compatible with iPhone 11 and newer and the iPhone SE (2nd generation).

💻 macOS Tahoe 26.1 – Power for your Mac!

Performance problems? Not anymore!

The new update focuses on significant improvements in system stability and performance. If your Mac has recently:

• Slower to react
• Jerky multitasking shown
• drained the battery faster
• Apps were terminated unexpectedly

…then now is the time for the update!

Revolutionary safety improvements! 🔒

This is where it gets really exciting: Apple has renamed “Rapid Security Updates” to “Background Security Improvement” – with good reason!

What does that mean for you?

“Background Security Improvement improves the security of your Mac by installing security improvements and system files before they are available in iOS software updates.”

In concrete terms, this means:

• ✅ Security patches are automatically installed in the background
• ✅ You are protected faster than ever before
• ✅ No interruption to your workflow
• ✅ Proactive protection instead of reactive patching

It’s like an invisible bodyguard for your Mac – brilliant!

Liquid Glass also on the Mac

macOS Tahoe gets the “Tinted” option for Liquid Glass to stay visually aligned with iOS. Consistency across all devices – just the way we love Apple!

📲 iPadOS 26.1 – multitasking like before!

Slide Over is back! 🎉

iPadOS 26.1 reintroduces Slide Over as an addition to the current window system. You can lock an app over your workspace and quickly slide in and out.

This is how the iPad has always worked best! Perfect for:

• Quick notes during meetings
• Computer at hand while working
• Check messages without switching apps
• Creative multitasking

Apple is also extending the Vision Pro app to the iPad, which will help creators and educators who want shared spatial content on a larger tablet screen.

Plus: All iOS features

Liquid Glass customizations, Apple Intelligence in German and all other iOS improvements are of course also included!

⌚ watchOS 26.1 – Reliability on the wrist

watchOS 26.1 focuses on bug fixes and performance improvements.

No spectacular features, but it makes up for it:

• Better battery life
• More stable connection to the iPhone
• Smoother operation
• More reliable fitness tracking accuracy

Apple is perfecting here what already works well – and you notice that in everyday life!

📺 tvOS 26.1 – streaming without interference

tvOS 26.1 is also a minor update with a focus on bug fixes and performance.

What you can expect:

• Faster app launches
• Smoother scrolling through menus
• More stable AirPlay connections
• Improved audio synchronization

Perfect for relaxed movie nights! 🍿

🥽 visionOS 26.1 – Immersion improved!

With visionOS 26.1, videos in the Spatial Gallery app now show playback controls and video length in the immersive view.

Sounds simple, but these small improvements add up if you use the headset for longer sessions. Apple thinks about the details!

⏱️ How long does the installation take?

So that you can plan:

Our OIT tip: Start the updates in the evening or during your lunch break. Connect the devices to the power supply, start the update and when you come back, everything is running – only better! ☕

❌ What is unfortunately not (yet) available in Germany

AirPods Live Translation – The EU situation

We have to be honest: Live translation with AirPods is not available for EU citizens whose device is located in the EU and whose Apple account is also registered in the EU.

What does that mean?

• ❌ Not usable in Germany/EU
• ✅ Works if you are a German abroad (e.g. USA)
• ❌ Concerns AirPods Pro 2, Pro 3 and AirPods 4 with ANC

The reason for this is the interoperability requirements of the Digital Markets Act (DMA). However, Apple is apparently working hard to bring the function to the EU as soon as possible.

The good news is that the normal translator app on the iPhone continues to work perfectly – only the sound via the AirPods is blocked.

We remain optimistic and will keep you up to date! 🤞

💡 Our OIT conclusion: Why you should update!

The common thread is practical improvement. If Apple perfects the basics now, the bigger AI and smart home features have a much better chance of landing cleanly in early 2026.

That’s why we love this update:

✅ No experiments – Apple makes what already works better ✅ Your choice – Liquid Glass customizable to your taste ✅ Real security – Proactive protection in the background ✅ Thoughtful details – Slide to Stop, Camera Lock, Slide Over ✅ Performance boost – Noticeably faster and more stable ✅ Consistency – All devices work together in harmony

This is Apple as we know and love it: Not the most features, but the best features. Perfectly thought out, elegantly implemented, easy to use.

🎯 Outlook: What’s next?

Apple is expected to launch the first betas of iOS 26.2 in the first or second week of November. We expect further refinements and perhaps a few surprises for the Christmas season!

The more personal Siri update linked to Apple Intelligence is targeting early 2026 with iOS 26.4 in March. This will be exciting!

🙋 Do you need help?

We are always at your side at OIT GmbH:

• Update problems? Wir helfen!
• Questions about new features? We explain!
• Performance optimization? We analyze!
• Device setup? We support you!

Just get in touch – we’re here for you!

🚀 Our call to you:

Install the update. Now. Today.

Your devices will be faster, safer and more convenient to use. The updates don’t take long, but they bring huge improvements. That’s what we love Apple for – this attention to detail that simply makes everyday life better.

If the design language is consistent across all devices, the support effort is reduced. And that’s exactly what we experience every day: more satisfied customers who appreciate their Apple devices even more.

Think Different. Work Better. Update Now.

Your OIT team

About OIT GmbH We provide expert advice on all Apple products and services. From selection to setup to support – we’ll accompany you on your Apple journey!