Apple's recent incremental iOS update for iPhones offers relief to users dissatisfied with the Liquid Glass visual redesign. Following feedback about the readability challenges posed by its see-through elements, the company rolled out a partial solution in the fourth beta of iOS 26, featuring a frosted appearance and a Reduce Transparency feature within Accessibility options. This adjustment to the Liquid Glass control is now accessible to everyone running iOS 26.1.
The Liquid Glass aesthetic first appeared during Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote as a significant interface refresh, drawing parallels to the Windows Vista era. Interface components like toggles, sliders, navigation bars, and overlays mimic glassy textures, allowing visibility of background hues and elements beneath. Although certain iPhone owners appreciated the smooth and modern vibe, many reported difficulties with text clarity, performance slowdowns due to visual effects, and discomfort during prolonged sessions.
To enable the updated Liquid Glass control, ensure your device is on iOS 26.1 by visiting Settings, followed by General, and Software Update to verify the installation. Once updated, return to Settings and select Display & Brightness, where a fresh Liquid Glass menu appears. This menu provides selections for 'Clear' or 'Tinted' modes. The 'Clear' setting reflects Apple's initial glassy, transparent implementation, whereas 'Tinted' enhances solidity and sharpness through greater opacity.
Users can sample the variations between these selections directly in the Liquid Glass menu prior to finalizing a choice. In practice, the 'Tinted' mode applies the semi-opaque, blurred style that beta participants experienced earlier, giving overlaid sections a firmer foundation. Notably, only these two choices exist, without a gradual adjustment mechanism like a slider. Still, Apple continues to emphasize personalization in its platforms, as evidenced by the new Spatial Scenes capability.