Apple Releases Third Betas for iOS 26.1 and macOS Tahoe

Apple has released the third beta of iOS 26.1 to developers. The update arrived on Monday, October 13. It follows the second beta by just one week.

This new beta phase brings significant enhancements. It focuses heavily on expanding the reach of Apple Intelligence. Support for more languages is a key part of this rollout.

Key Enhancements and New Features

Apple Intelligence now supports several new languages. Danish, Dutch, and Norwegian are included. Portuguese, Swedish, Turkish, and Vietnamese are also now available.

Chinese language support has been expanded to include Traditional characters. This is a major step for users in key markets. According to Bloomberg, these updates align with Apple’s broader AI strategy.

AirPods Live Translation also received an upgrade. It now works with Japanese, Korean, and Italian. Support for both Mandarin Traditional and Simplified Chinese was added too.

Liquid Glass technology has been expanded within the system. It is now active on the Phone app’s keypad. This provides a more consistent user experience.

Apple Music introduces a new swipe gesture for changing tracks. Visual refinements are also present in Calendar, Safari, and Photos. These small changes improve daily usability.

Broader Software Rollout and Expectations

The beta is not limited to iPhones. iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, and tvOS 26.1 are also in testing. watchOS 26.1 and visionOS 26.1 rounds out the updates.

Developers can access the new software through the Settings app. They must navigate to General and then Software Update. The final public release is expected later in October.

This coordinated update underscores Apple’s integrated ecosystem approach. Improvements across all platforms ensure a unified experience. It prepares the ground for wider adoption of Apple’s AI features.

The latest iOS 26.1 beta signals Apple’s strong commitment to global AI accessibility. These updates make powerful tools available to a much wider audience. The full public release is imminent.

Info at your fingertips

When will iOS 26.1 be released to the public?

The final version is expected to arrive later in October. Apple typically releases new software after several beta rounds. This allows for thorough bug testing and refinement.

What are the main new features in this beta?

The update expands Apple Intelligence to many new languages. It also adds AirPods Live Translation for Japanese and Korean. Interface tweaks in Music and Phone are also included.

Which devices are compatible with iOS 26.1?

Compatibility details are based on the iOS 26 standard. Generally, iPhones from the last several years will support it. Official compatibility lists will be confirmed at launch.

How does the new Apple Music gesture work?

Users can now swipe on the player interface to skip tracks. This offers a quicker alternative to tapping small buttons. It enhances one-handed operation.

Why is language expansion important for Apple Intelligence?

Broad language support is crucial for global AI adoption. It allows the features to be useful in more countries. This directly impacts the product’s international success.