Thursday, November 6, 2025

How iOS 26.1’s Liquid Glass Setting Fixes Apple’s Most Divisive Design

How iOS 26.1’s Liquid Glass Setting Fixes Apple’s Most Divisive Design

The new Liquid Glass interface in iOS 26 brings some sleek visual changes. If the ultra-transparent acrylic look isn’t for you, iOS 26.1 introduces a setting to tone it down. 

By Rodger Mansfield, Technology Editor 
November 6, 2025


iOS
Have you just updated to iOS 26 and thought: “Cool aesthetic, but wow, everything looks like frosted acrylic and I can’t read these menus in sunlight”? 

You’re not alone. 

Apple’s new design language, Liquid Glass, is one of the boldest visual changes to the iPhone in years. 

But with great translucency comes new challenges: readability issues, and even battery and thermal impacts on older phones.

Here's a Cool Tip:  Change the Liquid Glass setting.

With the new iOS 26.1 setting, you now have more control over how “glassy” your UI looks.

iOS 26.1 Liquid Glass Setting

Feature Explanation

What it is. 

Liquid Glass is Apple’s attempt to unify the appearance of iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple Watches and Apple TVs under a single visual design: shimmering, semi-transparent layers that reflect and refract what’s underneath in real time. 

How it works. 

In practice you’ll see this in many places: the Lock Screen, Control Center, app folders, even the tab bars shrink and expand dynamically as they reveal content underneath.

Why it matters. 

For the average user this means your interface looks fresh and modern, but you’ll also notice subtle motion effects, “floating” toolbars and translucent layers. 

For productivity or business use, it might matter if the visual styling interferes with quick glances at notifications, reduces contrast or even affects battery life on older hardware. 

What You’ll Gain
  • A more visually modern and unified UI across your Apple devices.
  • Better control of display readability by toggling transparency.
  • A smoother-looking home screen and app interface that stands out.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Here's how to do it.

iPhone / iOS (for iOS 26.1 or later)
  1. Update to iOS 26.1 if needed (Settings, General, Software Update, Update Now)
  2. Open Settings then Display & Brightness.
  3. Scroll to find Liquid Glass. 
  4. Choose between Clear (default highly transparent look) or Tinted (more opaque, higher contrast). 
  5. Reboot or simply navigate around your iPhone to see the change take effect.  Check Lock Screen, Control Center, app folders.
Change the Liquid Glass Setting in iOS 261

fig. 1 - Change the Liquid Glass Setting in iOS 26.1


Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Fresh, modern UI: Liquid Glass gives your device a “premium” feel that stands out.
  • Unified design across devices: if you use multiple Apple devices it creates a coherent visual experience.
  • Additional control: for readability and contrast via new setting.

Cons
  • Legibility issues: transparent/frosted elements can make text harder to read in bright environments or for users with vision challenges. 
  • Performance/battery impact on older devices: early tests found iPhones on iOS 26 losing more battery compared to iOS 18 during similar tasks. 
  • Learning curve: some users dislike the “clear icon” option where app icons become see-through and harder to find quickly. 
Feature Access
  • Who can use it: Any iPhone compatible with iOS 26 (and therefore iOS 26.1) will see the Liquid Glass interface. 
  • Subscription required? None. This is a built-in design update within iOS.
  • Hardware considerations: While many iPhones are compatible, older models like iPhone XR/XS/XS Max were excluded from iOS 26 support. 

Score

Criterion  |  Score  |  Justification

Value 8
Fresh UI adds visual polish and may inspire productivity by improving focus but the benefit is mostly aesthetic.

Usability 7
The new setting increases usability, but transparency issues and extra steps for tuning reduce its simplicity.

Wow Factor 9
The visual redesign is bold, and that “liquid glass” effect stands out, especially for users who appreciate design.

Total score: 24/30 → 👍 Good. Worth adopting for most users

If you’re comfortable updating to iOS 26 and adjusting your settings, the new look is definitely worth exploring. 

If you rely on maximum battery life or quick readability in bright environments, take a moment to change the Liquid Glass setting and test it out before assuming everything will be perfect.

Key Takeaways

Liquid Glass brings a major visual refresh to iPhones running iOS 26, smooth translucency, floating layers, and unified design across Apple devices. 

You’ll want to experiment with the new setting (“Clear” vs “Tinted”) in iOS 26.1 to optimize readability and contrast. 

The effect is compelling but demands a quick check of your settings and how you use the phone in real-world conditions.

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Try It Yourself

Fire up your iPhone today: update to iOS 26.1, and change between Clear and Tinted, and see which one fits you like best. 

Then comment below letting us know which style you prefer and share this tip with your team or network.


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Rodger Mansfield, a seasoned technology expert and editor of OneCoolTip.com, transforms complex tech into practical advice for everyday users. His Cool Tips empower readers to stay productive, secure, and one step ahead in the digital world.



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