Apple today released iOS 26.1 Beta 2 for developers. This update is expected to include several changes and refinements to features introduced in Beta 1. Let’s take a look at what’s new.
In case you missed it, here are the features included in iOS 26.1 Beta 1 →
Settings
Large description sections in the Settings app are now left-aligned instead of centered.
Additionally, under Settings → Display & Brightness → Appearance, the iOS 26 wallpaper has been updated.
There’s a new Background Security Improvements option under Settings → Privacy & Security .
According to Apple’s description, enabling this option provides additional protection for your iPhone between software updates.
Background Security Improvements provide additional protection to your iPhone in between software updates.
In rare instances of compatibility issues, these security improvements may be temporarily removed and then enhanced in a future software update.
iPhones with the Action Button now show a red Silent Mode toggle in Settings → Sounds & Haptics.
Dock
The Dock in iOS 26.1 Beta 2 has been updated with Liquid Glass. In previous versions, it appeared more like a frosted glass effect rather than true Liquid Glass.
Slide Over on iPad
Good news for iPad users — Slide Over has returned in iPadOS 26.1 Beta 2. But it currently only works when using Windowed Apps or Stage Manager mode.
To enable Slide Over on iPadOS 26.1, press and hold the green traffic-light button, then choose Enter Slide Over.
Alarms and Timers
iOS 26.1 Beta 2 adds a new “slide to stop” for Alarms and Timer, it’s now a bit harder to turn off your alarm than just hitting Snooze.
https://x.com/BetaProfiles/status/1975277154801000664
Folders
The folder names are now left-aligned and the text appears bolder.
Photos
In iOS 26.1 Beta 2, screenshots are no longer covered by navigation buttons in the Photos app.
The context menu that appears when long-pressing on a photo or video in Photos has been updated to highlight the Share, Favorite, and Delete buttons.
Calendar
In the Calendar app’s list view, full-colored event backgrounds are now gone in Beta 2.
Fitness
The Fitness app on iPhone now supports custom workouts. Previously, you could only choose from preset ones.
Accessibility
In Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size, the Button Shapes option has been renamed to Display Borders and now shows outlines around prominent UI elements.
Lock Screen Wallpaper
When editing a Lock Screen wallpaper, the “Pin to Crop” indicator now only appears briefly before fading away. In earlier versions of iOS 26, it would reappear whenever you adjusted the wallpaper.
Vision Pro App
The Vision Pro app now includes a realistic 3D model of the headset. When you scroll through the page, you’ll notice it moves slightly with the motion.
Writing Tools
In iOS 26.1 Beta 2, the Writing Tools menu has been updated with a Liquid Glass background. Additionally, the Compose menu with ChatGPT now features a subtle animated gradient strip.
Menu Animation
In iOS 26.1 Beta 2, Apple refined the menu animation to look smoother, but there’s still a small glitch if you pay attention.
https://x.com/BetaProfiles/status/1976287247327691225
Bug Fixed 
Lock Screen Customize
The Lock Screen customization interface for clocks and widgets has also been fixed — corner radiuses are now correct, and the background has been updated with Liquid Glass.
Dynamic Island
iOS 26.1 Beta 2 fixes the misaligned Low Battery alert on the iPhone Air.
Image credit u/superquanganh
Widgets
Fixed an issue where widgets could disappear while the app was open.
In addition, iOS 26.1 Beta 2 also fixes an issue where transparent widgets always had a white background even when Dark Mode was enabled.
I’ll keep adding more iOS 26.1 Beta 2 changes and new features here as I discover them. Stay tuned and follow @BetaProfiles on X or Threads!
