Learn how to adjust Apple’s Liquid Glass interface in iOS 26 with Clear and Tinted modes, lock screen transparency controls, and accessibility tweaks for better readability.

How to Tone Down Apple’s New Liquid Glass Interface in iOS 26 and Customize Your iPhone’s Look

One of the biggest visual changes Apple rolled out with iOS 26 was hard to miss. As soon as users rebooted their iPhones, the new Liquid Glass interface took over—bringing rounded edges, smooth translucency, and soft, glossy layers to icons, menus, and dialogs. The design shift also expanded across iPadOS and macOS, giving the entire Apple ecosystem a unified new look.

But as with every major redesign, not everyone fell in love with it. While many users appreciated the modern, fluid style, others found the transparency distracting or even difficult to read. With the release of iOS 26.1, Apple responded by giving users more control over the Liquid Glass effect—and future updates like iOS 26.2 go even further.

Here’s how you can tone it down, customize it, and still enjoy the aesthetics without sacrificing readability.

Switch Between Clear and Tinted Modes in iOS 26.1

Apple introduced a simple but effective toggle that lets you choose how strong the Liquid Glass effect appears across iOS.

To adjust it:

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

From here, you’ll see two options:

• Clear — This is the original Liquid Glass look: glossy, translucent, and highly reflective.
• Tinted — This option adds a subtle solid background to menus, floating bars, and dialogs, making them easier to distinguish from whatever is behind them.

Your selection applies instantly, and you can preview the effect before closing the menu.

While the difference isn’t dramatic everywhere, you’ll notice it immediately in apps like Photos, where the bottom floating bar becomes more opaque when Tinted mode is enabled. The tint automatically shifts between light and dark depending on the background—though, for now, Apple doesn’t let you choose the tint color yourself.

More Control Coming in iOS 26.2

At the time of writing, Apple is still testing iOS 26.2. But if the beta features make it to the public release, users will get another level of control—this time for the lock screen.

To customize the lock screen’s transparency in iOS 26.2:

1. Long-press the Lock Screen
2. Tap Customize below the current wallpaper
3. Tap the clock

Now you’ll see two options:

• Glass — Locks in the Liquid Glass style
• Solid — Removes transparency entirely

Even if you stick with Glass, Apple adds a new transparency slider, letting you fine-tune how much background shows through the text and UI elements. This is especially helpful if your wallpaper makes the time or widgets difficult to read.

Once you’re satisfied, tap outside the settings pane, then tap Done.

Read also… Carissa Codel Turns Troll Comments Into Viral Empowerment Series

Extra Tweaks to Improve Readability

Even though Apple’s tools for reducing Liquid Glass are improving, several other settings can help you strike the right balance between aesthetics and usability.

1. Reduce Transparency (Accessibility Settings)

If the transparency still feels too strong, head to:

Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Reduce Transparency

Turning this on dims the Liquid Glass effect across the entire interface.

2. Make Text Easier to Read

In the same Display & Text Size menu, you can toggle options like:

• Bold Text
• Larger Text
• Increase Contrast

These tools help offset the softer, blurrier backgrounds Liquid Glass introduces.

3. Customize the Home Screen Look

Your icons and wallpaper can also impact readability.

To adjust:

1. Long-press an empty space on the home screen
2. Tap Edit
3. Select Customize

Here, you can:

• Darken app icons
• Darken the background
• Increase icon size

Even small changes here can make the interface feel sharper and more legible.

A More Flexible Future for Liquid Glass

With iOS 26, Apple committed to a bolder visual identity—one that blends depth, light, and smooth motion. But as user feedback rolled in, the company has clearly prioritized customization, giving people the tools they need to personalize their devices without giving up the modern Liquid Glass aesthetic.

Whether you prefer the clean shine of Clear mode, the softened edges of Tinted, or the fine-tuned adjustments coming in iOS 26.2, Apple is making sure the new design works for everyone.