Apple Changes Liquid Glass Again in iOS 26 Beta 6

[MacRumors]

Apple is continuing to tweak the way that the Liquid Glass design looks ahead of the iOS 26 launch, and the latest beta makes a change to the Lock Screen.

The Lock Screen clock has been updated with additional transparency, allowing more of the background to peek through.

Beta 6 on left, beta 5 on right​

The clock also has more of a 3D, floating look, which is in line with the rest of the Liquid Glass design. Apple didn't change the Liquid Glass look of the control buttons, but the icons are larger. Lock Screen widgets haven't changed.

Beta 6 on left, beta 5 on right​

With the updated floating design and added translucency, the clock can be somewhat harder to see on certain darker backgrounds, but it is definitely more of a Liquid Glass aesthetic.

Apple has been tweaking different iOS 26 design elements throughout the beta testing process as it aims to perfect Liquid Glass before the iOS 26 debut in September.

Article Link: Apple Changes Liquid Glass Again in iOS 26 Beta 6

 

[MathersMahmood]

I love it.

 

[JPack]

Regression in usability for sure.

Feels like Jony Ive influence on the design team. Aesthetics over usability.

 

[JohnC1959]

I'm sure there's some way to adjust this so all should be ok, but in these examples I have to take an extra second or so to really see the time and likely the other controls. But I know when they had it more opaque others didn't like it so clearly some control is needed.

 

[The Engineer]

Make me liquid Jamie.

 

[StuBeck]

It may be less usable, but it looks way better. The one on my iPad in beta looks like a cool early 2000s graphic and I'm not a fan of it.

 

[ps3zocker]

Much better. It was way too opaque before.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I'm sure there's some way to adjust this so all should be ok, but in these examples I have to take an extra second or so to really see the time and likely the other controls. But I know when they had it more opaque others didn't like it so clearly some control is needed.

They’re probably settling on what will be the “default” and folks that have difficulty seeing will just go into accessibility. Transparency off, problem solved for them. While everyone else will just enjoy the view or edit their wallpaper images to fit the look they’re going for.

 

[MacMediaNet]

Less readable again.

 

[fel10]

The more they update it, the less it resembles glass.

 

[bluecoast]

Looks great, who needs to see the time anyway.

Doh.

 

[corbindav]

It's fine, I didn't need to read the time anyway. Thank you Apple for this tireless innovation.

 

[JohnC1959]

The more they update it, the less it resembles glass.

Well, I suppose if they REALLY want it to look like glass they should use the front camera to help them include a bit of reflection like you get with glass. Not very useable but cool I guess.

 

[jbc25]

I'm really not sure why this needs to keep being reiterated, but here we go again: the BEFORE image always goes on the LEFT, the AFTER goes on the RIGHT. Just like how we read english text, from left to right. Understand?

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

cool now make it consistent across apps and operating systems

 

[goro123]

I fear this whole design is a failure and Apple is heading into a dead end. Much too complex to manage properly. As much as I love the idea, it might make sense in specific situations but not for the whole OS. Apple tried translucent UIs with Aqua (translucent menus) and quickly reverted back. Unreadable text and blurry UI just doesn't make sense.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

Continues to look like I'll be sitting this one out until 26.1, at minimum...or I'll just stick iOS 18 until who knows when.

Absolutely not touching the betas.

 

[LordArchie]

If you don't like it.. turn off glass on the clock...

Maybe the default should be solid and glass an option for the clock. (for the complainers)

 

[tyr2]

Um, what if I actually wanted to know what the time was?

 

[FeliApple]

Who cares about actually seeing the time, anyway… right?

 

[surfzen21]

MORE!!!!

 

[chrono1081]

Less readable again.

Just turn off the transparency, it's right in the Lock Screen settings.

 

[MNWildFan]

cool now make it consistent across apps and operating systems

I couldn't agree more

It's come to a pretty decent look on iOS/iPadOS, but on the macOS side of things, it's just not quite there still

 

[TechieTaco]

All this could be fixed with a slider.

 

[ChamomileTea]

I love the new open/minimize App animation too.

Apple nailed it in terms of UI this year. Finally somebody made a transparent interface really work!