iOS 26.1 Developer Beta Now Available with New Features and Fixes
Apple has begun rolling out the iOS 26.1 developer beta, bringing new features and improvements alongside fixes for existing issues. Following the release of iOS 26 earlier this month, Apple is already testing the next version behind the scenes, giving developers early access to features before they reach the public.
The iOS 26.1 developer beta focuses on both enhancements and bug fixes for iPhone 11 and later models running the stable iOS 26 version.
What’s New in iOS 26.1 Developer Beta
Expanded Apple AI Language Support
The update introduces support for Apple’s AI across additional languages:
- Chinese (Traditional)
- Danish
- Dutch
- Norwegian
- Portuguese (Portugal)
- Swedish
- Turkish
- Vietnamese
While some AI features, including Siri enhancements, won’t be fully available until at least iOS 26.4, the expanded language support ensures wider regional compatibility when these features launch.
Live Translation Expands to More Users
The Live Translation feature, first unveiled at WWDC 2025 and recently showcased for AirPods Pro 3 users, now supports additional languages:
- Chinese (Mandarin, Simplified)
- Chinese (Mandarin, Traditional)
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
Apple has confirmed that the new translation feature will also work on AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2 devices running iOS 26.1 on eligible iPhones.
UI and App Improvements
- Phone app: The keypad now features a refreshed Liquid Glass design.
- Photos app: Improved playback for video clips.
How to Install the iOS 26.1 Developer Beta
To try out the developer beta, you need to be enrolled in Apple’s developer program via the Apple Beta website. Once enrolled, follow these steps:
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Go to General → Software Update.
- Select Beta Update to download iOS 26.1.
- Enter your passcode and restart your device.
Your iPhone will then be running the iOS 26.1 developer beta.
Note: Developer betas may contain bugs and are not recommended for primary devices. Always back up your data before installing the beta to prevent any potential issues.
