After several weeks with iOS 26, many have pointed out that aesthetics Liquid glass favors translucency over comfortable reading of texts and notifications. The next update already takes this into account: iOS 26.1 will allow adjust transparency to gain contrast where it is most needed.
Although some people appreciate the translucent finish, many users have noticed that, depending on the background, the elements lose legibilityApple makes its move in the new version, offering simple controls for choosing a more transparent or opaque interface without abandoning the overall Liquid Glass style.
What's changing with iOS 26.1
La beta 4 de iOS 26.1 incorporates an appearance selector for Liquid Glass within the system. It's not a granular slider adjustment, but a choice between two preset modes that modify the opacity and contrast of the entire environment.
Apple describes two variants: Clara, which maintains a more pronounced transparency and allows the background content to be seen; and Tinted, which increases opacity and enhances contrast to make icons, text, and panels more legible in more situations.
When any of the options is activated, the change is applied automatically. global to the system and extends to apps that have already adopted the Liquid Glass design language, also affecting notifications and lock screen panels.
How to enable it on iPhone (and iPad and Mac)
The new setting is in Settings> Display and brightness, within the Liquid Glass section, where you can choose between Clear or Tinted. On the iPad it will appear in the same place with iPadOS 26.1, while on the Mac it will arrive with macOS 26.1 within System Settings > Appearance.
Important to note that there is no slider: The choice is binary. The selected option is respected in both light and dark modes and is reflected in panels, menus and notifications, as well as in compatible apps.
Readability and design: why this change was necessary
The Liquid Glass proposal provides brightness and depth, but complex funds can make it difficult to read warnings or identify buttons. With Tinted mode, the system introduces more opacity and contrast without sacrificing aesthetics, achieving a less ethereal and clearer interface.
Until now, the alternative was to resort to Reduce transparency in Accessibility, a more drastic and general adjustment. Integrating this preference into the main menu makes it a design option for everyone, not just a support feature, and recognizes that usability must not compromise in the face of visual effects.
Update availability
Apple has not yet given a final date for the final version, but the progress of the betas suggests that iOS 26.1 will arrive very soon. Forecasts point to a deployment between the end of October and the beginning of November, at which point all users will be able to choose between Clear or Tinted without entering the beta program.
With this setting, Apple balances aesthetics and functionality in its new visual language: those who prefer a more translucent layer will be able to keep it, and those who prioritize readability and contrast will have a more robust option that applies to the entire system and to the apps that support it.
