Apple has introduced a new setting in iOS 26.1 that lets users adjust the transparency of Liquid Glass elements on their iPhones. Released in November, this feature addresses readability concerns raised by some users. It builds on the visual overhaul debuted with iOS 26 last September.
Apple unveiled Liquid Glass alongside iOS 26 in September, marking the iPhone's first significant visual redesign since iOS 7 in 2013. This glassy, transparent aesthetic applies to various interface elements, but it prompted complaints about readability, particularly from users on Reddit.
To respond, iOS 26.1, launched in November, includes a dedicated adjustment option. Previously, users could only apply a dark tint to home screen icons or enable Reduce Transparency to broadly alter the look. The new feature targets specific areas, such as the Notification Center and search bars in apps like Messages, without impacting the home screen.
Access it via Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass, where two choices appear: Clear and Tinted. Clear is the default, offering high transparency to show underlying content. Tinted boosts opacity and contrast, making elements less see-through—search bars, for instance, may appear nearly opaque until interacting with vibrant content.
As Apple explains, "Clear is more transparent, revealing the content beneath." For Tinted, it adds: "Tinted increases opacity and adds more contrast."
These options operate independently of the device's Light or Dark mode. Combining Tinted with Dark mode yields a cleaner appearance, though preferences vary.
This tweak refines the Liquid Glass experience without fully disabling it, helping users customize for better usability. For further details, iOS 26.1 also covers other enhancements, with iOS 26.2 on the horizon.
