iOS 26 on iPhone: See How the New Liquid Glass UI Changes Everything

Apple has officially rolled out iOS 26, bringing one of the most significant interface changes in recent years. The update introduces a new Liquid Glass theme, designed to give iPhone screens a seamless, glass-like transparency. However, user reactions to the feature are mixed, with some praising the visual upgrade and others finding it less practical.

Following feedback during the beta phase, Apple slightly reduced the transparency effect. Despite this, the final public release still emphasizes the glass-like look, prompting diverse opinions across online platforms. While the Liquid Glass design cannot be entirely disabled, iPhone users can modify settings to reduce transparency and enhance readability.

To adjust the effect, users can go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and enable the Reduce Transparency toggle. This setting darkens text and menus, improving visibility. Another option in the same menu is Increase Contrast, which adds a white outline to interface elements, making them easier to distinguish from backgrounds. Both features can be applied separately or together for a more pronounced reduction of the Liquid Glass effect.

iOS 26 also offers optional clear app icons for the home screen. Users who prefer less transparency can long-press on the home screen, select Edit, choose the Tinted option, and enable Increase Contrast. This combination minimizes the Liquid Glass appearance without affecting new animations introduced in iOS 26.

The update comes pre-installed on Apple’s latest iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air. Additionally, iOS 26 is compatible with all iPhone models from the iPhone 11 series onward, including the iPhone SE second and third generations.