iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, watchOS 26.1, visionOS 26.1, and tvOS 26.1 Release Candidates
Apple has taken a significant step closer to releasing its highly anticipated operating system updates by making the release candidate versions of iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, macOS Tahoe 26.1, watchOS 26.1, visionOS 26.1, and tvOS 26.1 available for registered developers. What's notable about this development is that Apple has skipped directly to the release candidate stage from beta testing, typically indicating that these final versions are almost ready for public release.
After five weeks of initial beta testing, Apple has primarily focused on addressing minor bugs related to its new Liquid Glass interface, a feature introduced in earlier beta versions. One notable addition to this update is a system setting allowing users to mitigate the effects of the Liquid Glass interface for improved readability, providing users with greater control over their experience.
Moreover, these operating system updates mark an important shift as Apple introduces "Background Security Improvements", succeeding its previously underutilized "Rapid Security Updates" feature. This change complies with European Union regulations by facilitating access for third-party manufacturers, allowing them to develop alternatives to Apple's exclusive features, such as those found on the Apple Watch. Furthermore, this update paves the way for integrating diverse AI service providers alongside ChatGPT, which marks the beginning of Apple's ecosystem.
In terms of timing, it is anticipated that final versions will be released next week, likely on Monday, following Apple's standard release schedule. Developers can currently access the release candidate details from the Apple Developer Connection, which includes build numbers and release dates for each operating system. According to this information, all six release candidates are scheduled to be available on October 28, 2025, with specific build numbers listed below:
- iOS 26.1: RC 1 (build number: 23B82)
- iPadOS 26.1: RC 1 (build number: 23B82)
- macOS Tahoe 26.1: RC 1 (build number: 25B77)
- watchOS 26.1: RC 1 (build number: 23S36)
- tvOS 26.1: RC 1 (build number: 23J580)
- visionOS 26.1: RC 1 (build number: 23N48)
It is worth noting that these updates demonstrate Apple's ongoing commitment to innovation and user experience while also addressing regulatory requirements and expanding its ecosystem capabilities. With the final versions expected to be released soon, users can look forward to experiencing the benefits of these new operating system updates firsthand.
