Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- iOS 26.1 will include a switch to apply a tinted look to Liquid Glass.
- The option renders screen elements less transparent.
- The switch will also reach the iPad, Mac, and presumably the Apple Watch.
Apple’s new Liquid Glass design seems to be hit or miss. Some people love it; others don’t. I enjoy the overall effect, though I don’t like the way icons and other visual elements can sometimes be difficult to see. I don’t want to turn it off, but I would like to adjust it.
Also: How to customize MacOS Liquid Glass and make it uniquely yours
And that’s exactly what I’ll soon be able to do.
A new toggle
With iOS 26.1 comes a new toggle that will let you tweak the look of Liquid Glass. Right now, the look is clear and transparent with no way to change that. But with the new update, you’ll be able to give it a tinted appearance, essentially rendering it more opaque.
Also: I disabled this iOS 26 feature right after updating my iPhone – here’s why you should, too
The same switch will also appear on other Liquid Glass devices, namely the iPad, Mac, and presumably the Apple Watch.
How to try now
You can try the new switch right now by downloading the fourth iOS 26.1 public beta.
Assuming you have a spare iPhone on which to test this, head to Settings, select General, and then click Software Update. Tap the option for Beta Updates and set it to iOS 26 Public Beta. Allow the update to download and install.
Also: You can update your iPhone to iOS 26 for free right now – here’s which models support it
To give Liquid Glass a tinted look, go to Settings, select Display and Brightness, and click the option for Liquid Glass. You can then switch from Clear to Tinted to see if you prefer the new look.
<!–>
October release
Right now, your options for customizing Liquid Glass are limited. You can’t turn it off; all you can do is tone it down. For that, you can reduce the transparency of your screen, as well as tweak the look of your Home screen. But those steps only go so far. The more opaque aesthetic provided in iOS 26.1 should remove some of the rough edges around Liquid Glass.
Also: Apple’s first iOS 26.1 beta is here with new features to try – and a big Wi-Fi fix
iOS 26.1 is currently in its fourth beta test for both developers and the public. If Apple follows its usual schedule from previous years, we should see the official launch of this update around the end of October.
Get the morning’s top stories in your inbox each day with our Tech Today newsletter.
–>
