Tech giant Apple’s latest update, iOS 26.1, quietly adds a feature that many users have been asking for, the ability to adjust the transparency of the Liquid Glass design. The change introduces a dedicated setting that allows iPhone owners to control how transparent system elements appear in menus, notifications and widgets.
Until now, users could only completely disable transparency through Accessibility settings, which flattened the interface and removed the layered aesthetic introduced in iOS 26. Interestingly, the new setting offers a middle ground, allowing for a more readable, less reflective appearance without completely disabling the effect.
How to find the new setting on your iPhone
To access this feature, users must first update their iPhone to iOS 26.1 or later. The update is available for all devices supporting iOS 26, including the iPhone 13 series and newer models such as iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 17.
After updating, the controls can be found under Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass. The new section introduces a simple menu that adjusts the amount of background detail displayed across interface elements.
What are the two transparency options with the liquid glass design?
The menu offers two options: Clear and Tinted.
- Tinted reduces transparency, producing a slightly more solid look that can make text and icons easier to read, especially in bright light.
A live preview displays both options in real time, making it easy to compare before choosing a preferred level.
While not a major overhaul, the update addresses one of the most common complaints about iOS 26’s design. The new transparency control gives users a way to tone down the glossy finish without resorting to accessibility settings, making the interface easier to use in various lighting conditions.
