Apple has officially released the iOS 26.1 Release Candidate (RC) to developers and beta testers, marking the final stage before public rollout. The update, seeded on October 28, introduces expanded Apple Intelligence language support, visual tweaks, and new customization options. According to Apple’s release notes and reports from Reuters, the final version is expected to launch for all users in early November.
The RC build is typically identical to the public release, allowing developers to finalize app compatibility and performance testing.
Apple Releases iOS 26.1 RC to developers and beta testers on October 28, 2025, as part of a multi-platform rollout that includes iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS. The update was released from Cupertino, California, and is designed to refine features introduced in iOS 26, improve language support, and enhance user interface customization. The RC phase allows Apple to gather final feedback before the public release in early November.
Feature Additions and UI Controls
- Apple Intelligence now supports Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Turkish, Vietnamese, and Traditional Chinese
- AirPods Live Translation adds Japanese, Korean, Italian, and both Mandarin Chinese variants
- Liquid Glass toggle lets users adjust UI opacity under Settings > Display & Brightness
- Lock Screen camera swipe gesture can now be disabled
- Visual updates applied to Calendar, Safari, Apple Music, and Photos
- New developer frameworks include AppMigrationKit and PhotoKit
The update weighs approximately 7.7GB depending on device model and installed version.
Quotes and Reactions
From Apple’s official release notes:
“iOS 26.1 delivers refinements to the Apple Intelligence experience and introduces new customization controls.”
Tech analyst Aadithya Harish told Exhibit Tech:
“The Liquid Glass toggle is a subtle but impactful addition. It gives users more control over their visual environment.”
Developers on X praised the stability of the RC build:
“Feels like a final release. No major bugs so far.”
Platform Cohesion and User Experience
The iOS 26.1 RC signals Apple’s continued push for platform-wide cohesion. By releasing RC builds across iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and visionOS simultaneously, Apple ensures a unified experience for users and developers. The update focuses on polish and stability, rather than introducing major new features, aligning with Apple’s strategy of incremental refinement post-major releases.
Expanded language support also reflects Apple’s global user base and commitment to accessibility.
What’s Next: Public Release and Compatibility
- Final iOS 26.1 release expected in early November 2025
- Compatible devices include iPhone 15 series and newer, plus select iPhone 14 models
- Developer feedback window remains open until public rollout
- Next major update: iOS 26.2 beta cycle begins mid-November
- User rollout will be staged via OTA updates
Users can check for updates under Settings > General > Software Update.
Sources
- Business Standard
- Indian Express
- YTechB
