Apple seeded the release candidates of iOS 26.1 and macOS Tahoe 26.1 to developers and the public on Tuesday. This is usually the final step before new versions launch — which should happen next week. The highlight is a new setting that makes the controversial Liquid Glass UI less transparent.
Release candidates for iPadOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1, tvOS 26.1 and visionOS 26.1 also went out to on Tuesday.
iOS 26 and macOS Tahoe 26 release candidates wrap up beta testing
Release candidates are the last step in beta testing, giving third-party software developers and other beta testers one more opportunity to look over the final versions of operating systems before they’re introduced to average users. By introducing these for the full range of its devices — iPhone, Mac, iPad and more — Apple is signaling that the next major upgrades are right around the corner.
Based on years of previous Apple OS releases, the RCs come a week before the full versions go out to users around the world. So the iOS 26.1 launch day could be November 3 or perhaps November 4. The same holds true for macOS Tahoe 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, watchOS 26.1 and so on.
Toggle off Liquid Glass in iOS 26.1
Liquid Glass is a translucent and fluid new interface in iOS 26 and the latest operating system upgrades for Apple’s other devices. Many elements of the UI go semi-transparent, while clever effects make it seem like users are looking through glass at objects shown on the screen behind the Dock, Control Center and pop-up windows.
While Liquid Glass has plenty of fans, it also has detractors. Those who don’t like it can already turn off Liquid Glass via a change to Accessibility settings.
iOS 26.1 beta 4 made it even simpler, and the change is going into the final version. It’s as easy as going into the Settings app, opening Display & Brightness, tapping on Liquid Glass, and choosing between the Clear or Tinted options.
As Apple says on that screen, “Choose your preferred look for Liquid Glass. Clear is more transparent, revealing the content beneath. Tinted increases opacity and adds more contrast.”
This is separate from the “Reduce Transparency” accessibility setting, which makes more dramatic changes to the appearance across the system.
Check our list of what is new in iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1 beta 4 for the other major change. It also archives the modifications made in previous betas, including an update to the way alarms are silenced and the return of Slide Over to iPad.
iPhone and Mac release candidates are just for devs
iOS 26.1 RC, macOS Tahoe 26.1 RC, iPadOS 26.1 RC, and so on can be downloaded starting on Monday by registered members of Apple’s developer program.
And those in the Apple Beta Software Program don’t have to wait. They can also test these pre-release versions now as well.
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
