Apple released iOS 26 on September 15 and the update introduced several features for your iPhoneincluding call checking, new ringtones And more. The biggest change the update brings to your device is a new visual design that Apple calls Liquid Glass.
This is the most impressive visual update Apple has brought to your iPhone since the company released iOS 7 in 2013. As a result of the redesign, menus and other visual elements appear translucent, and some elements shrink and wobble when interacted with.
Some people were torn about design as Apple released iOS 26 beta to developers. Apple changed the design during beta testing of iOS 26 to improve readability by adding more of a matte look, but you still might not like it. However, you can adjust the design of Liquid Glass in just a few steps, significantly reducing its transparency.
Here's how to make Liquid Glass designs in iOS 26 more legible.
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How to adjust liquid glass
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Availability.
3. Tap Display and text size.
4. Click the switch to Reduce Opacity.
This will darken any menus or items that are affected by the Liquid Glass design, including in apps like Messages and Control Center.
On the left we see the Liquid Glass design in all its glory, and on the right we see the Reduce Transparency setting enabled.
IN Display and text size menu, you can also press the switch next to Increase contrast to help differentiate Liquid Glass elements from each other. When I turned this switch on, many of these elements were outlined in white.
Enhance Contrast adds outlines to elements on your iPhone.
If you want to use Clear app iconI would not recommend turning on “Reduce Transparency” or “Increase Contrast”. I really like transparent icons because they ensure that your background is the focus, but the icons are still prominent enough to be distinguishable. When these other options are enabled, icons take center stage.
“Liquid glass without changes” (left), “Liquid glass with reduced transparency enabled” (center left), “Liquid glass with increased contrast enabled” (center right) and “Liquid glass with reduced transparency and increased contrast enabled” (right).
If you want to return the Liquid Glass design elements to your device, repeat the above steps again to disable Reduce Opacity.
If you're a developer or beta tester, you can also access a new option in iOS 26.1 beta 4 that can tint certain Liquid Glass elements, like your Notification Center. However, this option will not affect other elements of Liquid Glass, such as the home screen.
If you're a developer or beta tester, here's how to access this feature.
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Display and brightness.
3. Tap Liquid glass.
In the new menu, you can choose “Transparent” or “Tinted”.
“Clear is more transparent, revealing the content underneath,” Apple writes for this setting. “Tinted increases the opacity and adds more contrast.”
Don't forget that this feature is part of iOS 26.1 Beta 4. This means that only developers and beta testers can access it for now, and Apple may change or remove this setting before releasing the software update to the general public.
More iOS news can be found here. my review of iOS 26how to enable call And text OS screening and all that new ringtones on your iPhone. You can also check out our iOS 26 cheat sheet.
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