Apple’s latest Liquid Glass user interface design emerged as one of the most prominent and contentious elements of its significant software updates this year. It introduced enhanced fluidity and translucency across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Apple’s other operating systems, and as highlighted in our reviews, the default configurations weren’t consistently ideal for readability.
The forthcoming 26.1 update for these operating systems aims to tackle some of the grievances, although it does not alter aspects of the default appearance of Liquid Glass. Instead, the update introduces a new toggle allowing users to select between a Clear and Tinted appearance for Liquid Glass, with Clear signifying the standard look and Tinted enhancing the opacity and contrast.
The standard glass-like appearance of notifications in iOS 26.
The standard glass-like appearance of notifications in iOS 26.
Andrew Cunningham
The Tinted toggle obscures the glass, maintaining a slight translucency.
Andrew Cunningham
The standard glass-like appearance of notifications in iOS 26.
The Tinted toggle obscures the glass, maintaining a slight translucency.
Andrew Cunningham
Andrew Cunningham
The toggle functioned with less consistency in macOS 26.1, but here is a demonstration of the glassy appearance in the Photos application.
Andrew Cunningham
Andrew Cunningham
And the identical UI with the Tinted toggle activated.
Andrew Cunningham
The toggle functioned with less consistency in macOS 26.1, but here is a demonstration of the glassy appearance in the Photos application.
Andrew Cunningham
And the identical UI with the Tinted toggle activated.
Andrew Cunningham
The newly introduced toggle offers an intermediate option between the default visual settings and the “reduce transparency” feature, which, in addition to altering numerous other aspects of the operating system’s look and functionality, is located deeper within the Accessibility settings. The Tinted toggle does reveal colors and indistinct shapes visible beneath the glass panels, maintaining the overall aesthetic of Liquid Glass while favoring contrast and visibility, unlike the “reduce transparency” feature, which operates as a more absolute toggle.
