Apple’s new Liquid Glass redesign in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, and additional updates is a bold step that users were not ready for. Users were displeased with it, and now, with the release of iOS 26 developer beta 4, the company has finally given users a toggle to switch it off, a feature that was missing in the initial release.
Apple adds a much-needed toggle in iOS 26.1 Beta 4, letting users tone down Liquid Glass transparency
Many users have shared their despair related to the new design language on various platforms, and the company is aware of them quite well, so much so that it decided to tone it down a bit. The company made several attempts while iOS 26 was in its beta phase and it appears that none of them were perfect for the end user.
iOS 26 is too glassy, in my opinion, and while the company offered it as a fresh look, some users found it very disrupting and interfering. From translucent panels and floating elements to background bleeding and excessive transparency across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, the new look hits the sweet spot for a bold refresh but simultaneously brings down the user experience.
With iOS 26.1 beta 4, Apple quietly added a little more control, as it allowed users to turn the Liquid Glass effect off using a toggle hidden in the Settings app. You have the option available to choose between “Clear,” which reflects the more transparent design we have seen, and “Tinted,” which is more opaque with a higher contrast ratio. You will find the toggle buried in Settings > Display & Brightness or Appearance on Mac.
A small change that makes Apple’s bold design more practical
The company’s decision to include a dedicated Liquid Glass toggle reflects that it is acknowledging users are having issues or partly do not like the bold redesign. For regular users, this means practicality, as the UI transparency makes reading notifications or tapping buttons less comfortable, especially in brightly lit environments. If you love the aesthetic and have an ideal wallpaper and lighting setup, stick with the Clear option and enjoy the look. The benefit is real with better accessibility and aesthetic.
Take note that switching between the Tinted and Clear modes for Liquid Glass will have an impact on third-party apps, as they will also inherit the same preferences. If you use all kinds of apps, we would recommend you switch between the modes and select the one that best fits your needs with minimal caveats. Apple is basically making a sleek design a little more usable and giving users a choice, which is always a plus.
Follow Wccftech on Google or add us as a preferred source, to get our news coverage and reviews in your feeds.