Find Apple's Liquid Glass Design a Bit Overwhelming? A New Toggle is Here to Help on iPhone, iPad, and Mac 

Published: Oct 20, 2025, 3:36 PM 

Apple's "Liquid Glass" redesign in iOS 26 has been met with mixed reactions. However, it seems the company is finally listening to feedback and giving users the option to dial it down.

Apple Finally Lets You Add Some 'Tint' to That Glass

Remember that new "Liquid Glass" design Apple rolled out with iOS 26? The one that made everything super transparent and fluid across your iPhone, iPad, and Mac? If you weren’t a fan of living in a see-through world, you’re in luck. The latest developer beta (26.1 beta 4) has just been released, and it includes a new option to make the overall appearance more opaque. This feature is likely to make its way into the public release of 26.1 later this month.

How to Find the New Liquid Glass Setting

• On iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass.

• On Mac: Go to System Settings > Appearance > Liquid Glass.

In this new menu, you'll see two simple options: "Clear" and "Tinted." "Clear" is the default transparent look we've had since the launch of iOS 26. "Tinted," as Apple describes it, "increases opacity and adds more contrast." It's a straightforward switch, not a slider, but it applies universally.

Apple's apps, third-party apps that use Liquid Glass, and even your Lock Screen notifications will adopt this look. Apple states that this change comes in response to user requests for a way to manage opacity.

While Apple embraced this new transparent aesthetic, it turns out it wasn't ideal for everyone. If you have a busy wallpaper or prioritize readability over a "cool" design, the default look can be quite distracting.

This stands in interesting contrast to Google's approach with Material You on Android. Google focuses on color customization, drawing hues from your wallpaper to theme the entire UI. It’s personal, but it’s not primarily about transparency. In contrast, Apple attempted to push a specific aesthetic (the glass) and is now having to backtrack by adding options. This isn’t Apple catching up; it’s more like them cleaning up their design mess after realizing that a one-size-fits-all transparent look doesn’t suit everyone.

"Tinted" is Probably the Setting You Want

Personally, I plan to switch to "Tinted" as soon as I get this update. The fully "Clear" version of Liquid Glass looks stunning in screenshots and marketing materials, but in daily use, it can be a readability nightmare. This new "Tinted" option sounds a lot like what Apple had in an earlier iOS 26 beta before they reverted to the hyper-transparent look for the final release.