iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1 betas add Slide to Stop alarms, auto security patches, custom workouts, Slide Over, mic input control and Display Borders accessibility.
© A. Krivonosov
Apple released the second beta of iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1, and it lands with several noticeable tweaks. The headline change is how alarms and timers are shut off: the familiar button is gone; you now slide “Slide to Stop,” while a tap only triggers “Snooze.” The move is meant to reduce accidental dismissals when users are still groggy.
Beyond that, Apple tuned settings and visuals. Privacy and Security now includes automatic installation of security patches, the Settings menu is left‑aligned, and the “liquid glass” sheen on icons is toned down. The Fitness app adds the option to build custom workouts, and wallpaper tips now disappear on their own during setup.
On iPadOS, Slide Over returns and works alongside the new windowing mode, though it limits you to a single floating window. There’s also a control for the input level of external microphones — a touch streamers and podcasters are likely to appreciate.
Accessibility gains a new Display Borders mode that outlines all buttons for better readability. Some contentious changes from the first beta have been rolled back: the colored fills for Calendar events are gone, and the photo actions menu is easier to use — a sensible course correction.