iOS 26.1: Customize iPhone Liquid Glass Design

iOS 26.1 Brings Granular Control to Liquid Glass Design, Addressing Readability Concerns

Apple’s latest software update, iOS 26.1, released on Monday, November 3, introduces a notable enhancement to the Liquid Glass design first unveiled in iOS 26. The new setting provides users with unprecedented control over the appearance of these translucent elements across their iPhones, possibly resolving readability issues reported by some users online.

The introduction of Liquid glass in iOS 26 marked the most significant visual overhaul of the iPhone interface as iOS 7 in 2013. However, prior to iOS 26.1, customization options were limited. Users could only apply a dark tint to home screen elements or adjust the Reduce Transparency setting, impacting the entire system’s appearance. Now, apple allows for modifications to specific elements – such as the Notification Center and search bars – without affecting others, like the home screen.

did you know? – iOS 7, released in 2013, was the last major redesign of the iPhone’s user interface before the introduction of Liquid Glass in iOS 26. The new design aimed for a flatter, more minimalist aesthetic.

According to Apple, the new feature offers two primary options: Clear and Tinted. “Clear is more transparent, revealing the content beneath,” while “Tinted increases opacity and adds more contrast.” The Tinted setting doesn’t entirely eliminate the Liquid Glass effect, but it minimizes its impact, making some elements, like the search bar in Messages, appear almost opaque until interacting with colorful content.

Here’s how to access the new settings:

1. Tap Settings.
2. Tap Display & Brightness.
3. Tap Liquid Glass.

Notably, these Liquid Glass settings operate independently of the iPhone’s existing Light or Dark mode preferences. users can enable Tinted while in Light mode, or Clear in Dark mode. One reviewer noted a preference for Dark mode paired with tinted setting, describing the combination as visually “clean.”

Pro tip: – Experiment with both “Clear” and “Tinted” settings in different apps to find the optimal balance between visual appeal and readability for your individual preferences.

For those seeking further information, Apple has released extensive details about iOS 26.1, alongside a full review of iOS 26 and a helpful cheat sheet for iOS 26.

Watch a exhibition of the iOS 26.1 update and its Liquid Glass controls here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOUR_YOUTUBE_VIDEO_ID (Replace YOUR_YOUTUBE_VIDEO_ID with the actual video ID).

The update represents a responsive approach from Apple, directly addressing user feedback and offering a more personalized visual experience on the iPhone.

Reader question: – How do you think the Liquid Glass design will evolve in future iOS updates? Share your thoughts on what improvements Apple could make.