Apple’s latest iOS update brings a small but powerful feature that many users have been waiting for: the ability to adjust the transparency of the Liquid Glass design introduced in iOS 26. While previously users could only completely turn off transparency through Accessibility settings, iOS 26.1 now offers a dedicated menu with more nuanced control.
With this new setting in iOS 26.1, Apple has added more flexibility to the visual experience, allowing users to choose between the highly translucent design or a more opaque version that can improve readability while maintaining the distinctive aesthetic of liquid glass.
1. Update your iPhone to iOS 26.1
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Before you can adjust Liquid Glass transparency, make sure your device is running iOS 26.1 or later.
Open the Settings app on your iPhone And tap GeneralSO Software update. If the update is available and has not yet been installed, follow the instructions to download and install iOS 26.1.
This update is available for all devices supporting iOS 26, which includes iPhone 13 and newer models like iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 17.
2. Go to the new Liquid Glass settings
(Image: © Tom’s Guide)
Once your iPhone is updated to iOS 26.1, you will be able to find the new transparency controls in the display settings.
Open the Settings app Ad go to Display & Brightness. Following, scroll down until you see the Liquid Glass option and tap on it to access transparency controls.
You’ll find that this is a dedicated menu specifically for adjusting how the Liquid Glass interface appears on your device.
3. Choose your preferred level of transparency
(Image: © Tom’s Guide)
The new menu offers two main options for Liquid Glass transparency: Clear and tinted. The Clear option is the original, translucent Liquid Glass look that came with iOS 26. If you’re already using iOS 26, that’s what you’re currently seeing.
The new Tinted option increases opacity, making interface elements less transparent and potentially improving readability while maintaining the liquid glass aesthetic.
The settings page previews each option as you select it, allowing you to see the difference before implementing your choice.
This new setting strikes a balance between completely transparent Liquid Glass design and completely turning off transparency (which you can always do through the Accessibility settings if necessary).
To learn more about Apple’s new software update, read our Review iOS 26 and find out which iOS 26 features you should try first.
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