Apple Improves Liquid Glass in iOS 26 Beta 4, Reversing Some Beta 3 Changes

[thiscatisfat]

I had to disable transparency two versions ago. Does that make me a bad beta tester?

It makes you a beta tester who pretends to be blind. Like how can you even drive if you can’t differenciate background from foreground. I had zero issues with readability from Beta 1, I’ve no clue what the fuss is about. If you go and pick a glass from the shelf, do you also need transparency off IRL? This comment section is ridiculous.

 

[sziehr]

For a company that prides it self on accessibility this new design scheme is not looking good for that, it think it needs to just go to frosted glass and tweak the forting as needed to make it work.

 

[LightProtector]

You want something that is objectively less usable? That's very odd.

I mean, I am not going to update my OS, so I agree with you in that sense.

Still, if you're here to take the side of a unified user interface deployed across multiple operating systems that makes text harder to read, uses animations that could cause nauseousness, and layered elements that make it harder to see what's active or inactive, I'd encourage you to take a minute to think how this would benefit or please you.

People be complaining just to complain. Upgrade and use reduce transparency, it’s not that big of a deal.

 

[DogHouseDub]

Go use the reduce transparency option, that’s literally what it’s there for. This is perfect imo.

Agreed, and assuming they are collecting data from beta users, they'll see what % of users are disabling the appearance.

 

[YourBoss]

Oh my gosh, you guys are all so annoying complaining about these changes. iOS 26 is in development and this is not the final version. There will be at least three levels of transparency. Stay calm!

 

[anthony131]

People be complaining just to complain. Upgrade and use reduce transparency, it’s not that big of a deal.

I've yet to find anyone demonstrating this option. If this issue true, that would be great news.

I'm complaining about Apple showcasing what they deem to be their best efforts when in fact anyone who has a mild sense of ergonomics can plainly see this is a mess. I'm complaining about a company who has been known as a user experience company for decades failing to have a basic understanding of what constitutes a thoughtful user experience.

 

[thiscatisfat]

I miss the Beta 1 control center. It was perfect.

 

[McWetty]

Just put a slider in the settings app and call it a day…

 

[anthony131]

I miss the Beta 1 control center. It was perfect.

View attachment 2530921

This literally - actually literally, not figuratively or hyperbolically - makes me nauseous to look at.

 

[teknikal90]

Jony knew what he was doing - not interested in playing these games.
Vista already made this mistake.

 

[SanderEvers]

Relax, people, it's a beta. A developer bata. Apple is clearly just testing out how to tweak the clearness of the clear glass.

 

[Exxhara]

I wish Apple would get a grip on themselves and do something right the first time without having to rely on beta testers to tell them how a user interface should work. Whether they work in this department or not, everyone who works at Apple should be embarrassed with what's taking place in public view. It's downright pitiful how far they have fallen.

I mean literally the point of a beta is to identify issues that likely don't come up during development, this comment is seriously a joke right... right..

 

[Rogifan]

I have to laugh at all of the social media posts saying “they listened to us”. Yeah I’m sure Apple software engineers are spending their time scouring social media for opinions on liquid glass and changing things based on Threads posts or whatever. 🙄

 

[thiscatisfat]

This literally - actually literally, not figuratively or hyperbolically - makes me nauseous to look at.

That’s so weird. Aren’t you exaggerating a bit? How is that even possible? It looked amazing to me.

Beta 1, best looking so far:

Beta 4, meh:

 

[jz0309]

I have to laugh at all of the social media posts saying “they listened to us”. Yeah I’m sure Apple software engineers are spending their time scouring social media for opinions on liquid glass and changing things based on Threads posts or whatever. 🙄

some people do provide feedback via the beta program though, maybe Apple listens to them?

And I sure hope that no engineers read any feedback other that getting directions from the product manager(s) ...

 

[ExAndroidUsr]

Has anyone checked CarPlay if they did revert the widget situation to beta 2?

 

[Lotsacaffine]

That’s so weird. Aren’t you exaggerating a bit? How is that even possible? It looked amazing to me.

Beta 1, best looking so far:
View attachment 2530932

Beta 4, meh:

View attachment 2530933

Elements are clearly defined (distinct borders), icons are clearly visible against a tinted button background, and text is readable? What is the drama? It looks great.

 

[Rogifan]

Go use the reduce transparency option, that’s literally what it’s there for. This is perfect imo.

That’s not what it’s there for. If someone, who has never touched accessibility settings, has to turn on reduce transparency after a software update then there’s a problem with the changes. I’ve never used anything in accessibility settings. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow (assuming the public beta drops) if this is a real issue for me.

 

[Lotsacaffine]

That’s not what it’s there for. If someone, who has never touched accessibility settings, has to turn on reduce transparency after a software update then there’s a problem with the changes. I’ve never used anything in accessibility settings. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow (assuming the public beta drops) if this is a real issue for me.

That option was literally added as a result of iOS 7 design changes.

 

[Rogifan]

Just put a slider in the settings app and call it a day…

Gee, I didn’t know software design was this simple. I guess someone should let Apple’s iOS team know.

 

[MDTyKe]

We really, really need an option to adjust or disable the transparency. The options in Accessibility don't quite cut it. With the adjustment (backwards IMO) I really struggle to read anything.

 

[thiscatisfat]

That’s not what it’s there for. If someone, who has never touched accessibility settings, has to turn on reduce transparency after a software update then there’s a problem with the changes. I’ve never used anything in accessibility settings. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow (assuming the public beta drops) if this is a real issue for me.

It’s really not, never was. People are so unhinged and overreactive these days. Everything was clear and perfectly usable from Beta 1. Of course there are people who play dumb and swear they can’t see sh*t for internet points, but in reality Beta 1 was a really fresh looking iOS.

 

[thiscatisfat]

I really struggle to read anything.

Can you show me an example of what you’re struggling with?

 

[Rogifan]

some people do provide feedback via the beta program though, maybe Apple listens to them?

And I sure hope that no engineers read any feedback other that getting directions from the product manager(s) ...

I would assume Apple is prioritizing bug fixes over random opinions about liquid glass.

 

[maerz001]

I like the stacked layers of glas in the first picture giving a 3D effect.
The iOS screenshots on the other side look quite flat and less glassy.

Will there at least be some parallax effect when tilting the phone?