Apple has today released iOS 26.0.1 and iPadOS 26.0.1; bringing several bug fixes, including for an issue that caused some users to lose VoiceOver speech either immediately after installing iOS 26 or upon a subsequent reboot of the device.
As iOS 26.0.1 and iPadOS 26.0.1 were not distributed to external testers prior to their release, we do not have any information on whether they contain any additional accessibility fixes for blind, def blind, or low vision users at the time of writing. However, as these updates appear to have been released to address a small set of specific issues, we do not expect them to contain any such additional fixes.
Release notes
iOS 26.0.1
This update provides important bug fixes and security updates for your iPhone, including fixes for the following issues:
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth may occasionally disconnect on iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro models
- A small number of iPhone users may be unable to connect to a cellular network after updating to iOS 26
- Photos taken under certain lighting conditions with iPhone 17, iPhone Air, and iPhone 17 Pro models may include unexpected artifacts
- App icons may appear blank after adding a custom tint
- VoiceOver may become disabled for some users after updating to iOS 26
For information on the security content of Apple software updates, please visit: https://support.apple.com/100100
How to update
iOS 26.0.1 and iPadOS 26.0.1 are available via Over-the-Air Update (Settings > General > Software Update) via Finder on a Mac with macOS Catalina or later, or via iTunes on a PC or Mac with macOS Mojave or earlier.
Comments
I'm updating my iPhone SE third generation now
I'm updating my iPhone SE third generation to iOS 26.0.1 now. I will let you guys know if anything seems to be different for VoiceOver users. I am actually writing this on my iPhone 5. This phone is using Fred for voiceover and American Siri mail for Siri. That's what they were called them.
Not yet.
Chicago, I checked not yet.
No, no changes here on my SE third generation or iPhone 15
There aren’t any changes here for VoiceOver users for me on my iPhone SE third generation or my iPhone 15. Still cannot use Karen premium. As I work around for this right now, I am using Karen enhanced. My iPhone third generation is using Samantha enhanced. I’m hoping that another software update will give me access again and premium eventually. Other than that, there’s really no changes that I can tell.
Minor fixes
You can expect bugs to be squashed. No major changes.
My thoughts
I'm thinking the primary reason for this release is to fix the loss of VO on reboot, that a lot of of us experienced when we upgraded to 26.0.
That really stinks of that happened to people
It’s a really crappy annoying bug to have for people. I’m sorry that a lot of people experienced the loss of speech of voiceover. That’s crazy. I have not experienced that, but I’m glad that it’s been resolved now. I’m glad that Apple took care of this as quickly as they have. I am hoping for a software update to get access to Karen premium. As a workaround for now I am using Karen enhanced my iPhone 15. My iPhone SE third generation is using enhanced. I’m using British voice one for Siri on my iPhone 15. On my iPhone iPhone SE third generation I’m using American voice for. I’m using Samantha enhanced as a voice voice on my iPhone SE third generation.
26.1
I'm thinking iOS 26.1 will be the update that fixes the voices. At least, that's what I am hoping for. Right now, my SE 2020 is the only device currently with iOS 26 on it, and it's using basic Samantha, and it has Alex as a Roto voice. They both sound absolutely horrible on that device, when they used to sound pretty good on that device. At least back before updating to iOS 26.
That’s interesting.
That’s interesting. I had a basic Samantha on my SE third generation and she sounds fine. I did switch to enhanced for a little while. If anything that’s the one that sounds really weird to me. I haven’t tried Alex. Not really the biggest Alex fan. I hope they fix the voices for you though. It’s annoying to have voices that don’t sound right. Well, hopefully that will be fixed in iOS 26.1. I’m hoping to regain access to Karen premium with that update. Right now I can’t even activate her. She act as though she downloads but if you try to activate her you can’t. You can still play her sample though. And then she just honor delete so yeah she’s not even staying in the phone as a download. So as I work around right now, I’m using Karen enhanced on my iPhone 15. My iPhone SE third generation is using Samantha enhanced. I’m thinking of going back to basic Samantha and basic care note. You have more even inflections. I’m thinking I’m going to go do that now actually. Enhance Samantha on this phone sounds like she’s got some kind of a cold or something. It’s weird that the regular Samantha actually sounds better on this device.