Find Apple’s liquid glass design a bit much? A new toggle is here to help on iPhone, iPad, and Mac

Apple is letting you finally add some ‘tint’ to that glass

You know 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? Well, if you weren’t a fan of living in a see-through world, you’re in luck. The latest developer beta (that’s 26.1 beta 4) just dropped, and it includes a new option to make the whole look more opaque. This means it will likely make it to the 26.1 public release when it launches later this month, hopefully.

How to find the new Liquid Glass setting

In that new menu, you’ll see two simple choices: “Clear” and “Tinted.” “Clear” is the default transparent look we’ve had since iOS 26 launched. “Tinted,” as Apple explains, “increases opacity and adds more contrast.” It’s a simple switch, not a slider, but it applies everywhere.

Apple’s apps, third-party apps that use Liquid Glass, and even your Lock Screen notifications get this look. Apple says it’s adding this because users (loudly, I’d imagine) asked for a way to manage the opaqueness.

Why this is more than just a settings toggle

iOS 26.1 Liquid Glass transparency toggle. | Image credit — PhoneArena

It’s personal, but it’s not really about transparency. Apple, on the other hand, tried to push a specific aesthetic (the glass) and is now having to walk it back by adding options. This isn’t Apple catching up; it’s more like them cleaning up their own design mess after realizing a one-size-fits-all transparent look doesn’t actually fit all.

“Tinted” is probably the setting you actually want

Personally, I’m flipping on “Tinted” the second I get this update. The full-on “Clear” version of Liquid Glass is beautiful in screenshots and marketing, 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 reversed course and went with the hyper-transparent look for the final release.

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