Here's How the iOS 26.1 Transparency Toggle Changes Liquid Glass

[MacRumors]

With the fourth beta of iOS 26.1, Apple added a toggle that makes Liquid Glass more opaque and reduces transparency. We tested the beta to see where the toggle works and what it looks like.

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If you have the latest iOS 26.1 beta, you can go to Settings > Display and Brightness to get to the new option. Tap on Liquid Glass, then choose "Tinted." The Tinted option increases the opacity of Liquid Glass UI elements and improves contrast, while the Clear option is the standard Liquid Glass look.

Apple's new option looks different in both light and dark mode, increasing opacity in color consistent with each option. It works for Lock Screen notifications and within apps to make menu and navigation bars less transparent, but there is little to no change with other parts of the OS like Control Center, the App Library, and app icons and widgets on the Home Screen.

iOS 26.1 beta 4 is available to developers and public beta testers at the current time. We're expecting iOS 26.1 to be released later in October, and that's when everyone will have access to the new settings.

Article Link: Here's How the iOS 26.1 Transparency Toggle Changes Liquid Glass

 

[tazinlwfl]

Thanks for the info. Probably never going to change it. Love Clear.

 

[bulletspongesquarepants]

I'm not a fan of any transparency on any OS (first thing i turn off) so its nice to see we are getting more options. 👍

 

[MothJab]

I want more glass effects not just standard

 

[mngdew]

Apple just can't make up their mind with the transparency.
Public Beta 4 is out now.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

Increases the opacity and, as seen on the video, brightness. If you happen to use a power strip with a wattage indicator (instead of more specialized equipment), it may make you think that Liquid Glass causes the GPU to use more energy. Instead, it’s simply the OLED pulling more juice to light up those pixels that would have been darker with Liquid Glass.

 

[antonrg]

This is a great option for those who would like less clarity. Now, it would be great to see them go full glass on Liquid Glass properly.

 

[JosephAW]

Thought that reduced transparency setting that’s been around for a while accomplished this, how is this different?

 

[RafaelHO]

I’ll test the tinted option, as it hopefully will drain less from GPU.

 

[drumcat]

Is this the same as what's in Accessibility in 26.0?

(Settings > Accessibility > Display :: Reduce Transparency)

 

[Lizzard899]

Is this the same as what's in Accessibility in 26.0?

Yea thats what Im wondering too.

 

[theLedger]

I like the current Liquid Glass and have no issues with it.

 

[Jean Claude]

Personally, I like liquid glass - really don't understand the controversy.

 

[GraXXoR]

Thank all 3500+ gods we invented it looks like we can remove the glass bollocks without removing all the transluncency which really adds to the ambience of the UI.
Accessibility removes all transparency but this setting seems to retain a little translucency.

 

[Richard Ripley]

I do not like Liquid Glass. I thought that one of the main reasons to have devices such as a Mac or an iPhone or an iPad was to get work done. Yes, I'm a big fan of fun and a pleasurable experience when it comes to UI (DogCow anyone?) but Liquid Glass sometimes makes getting things done a LOT harder.

I have tried turning on Reduce Transparency and that makes a mess of folder displays in Dark Mode so I am using plain old Liquid Glass on iOS and iPad Os. I haven't moved to Tahoe because of Liquid Glass with the Mac OS.

I'm hoping that the new setting described here makes things more legible and easier to read. When Ive was working at Apple sometimes form followed function (keyboards, etc.) and Liquid Glass seems a return to this thinking - a gimmick that in some instances makes things hard to read, is not my idea of a good idea. 😃

 

[MallardDuck]

Thank all 3500+ gods we invented it looks like we can remove the glass bollocks without removing all the transluncency which really adds to the ambience of the UI.
Accessibility removes all transparency but this setting seems to retain a little translucency.

it doesn't remove it from the lock screen after a reboot, which is a PITA.

 

[Sheepish-Lord]

Wasting man-hours to walk back a primary feature feels so defeating I bet. Either go all in or all out but this is an obvious admission as it’s not even tucked away in accessibility but right there in display and says “liquid.”

 

[biffuz]

Well, that didn't take long...

 

[Johnny907]

Thought that reduced transparency setting that’s been around for a while accomplished this, how is this different?

He literally shows how it is different in the video. Did you watch it?
For me, it's enough to get me to download the beta. A toggle like this is all Apple had to do from the beginning in order to staunch all the Liquid Glass drama from the start, but no, Apple just had to Apple and force everyone into their vision of what the OS should look like.
Why is it so hard, after all these years, for Apple to just give their users CHOICE?

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Now give us a button to make it stop changing between light and dark when scrolling.

 

[Populus]

What do we think? Options are always welcome.

 

[vertsix]

This is great because it's an option for those that don't like it, while not modifying the look for those that do. I am always a proponent of OPTIONS.

 

[HowEver]

I do not like Liquid Glass. I thought that one of the main reasons to have devices such as a Mac or an iPhone or an iPad was to get work done. Yes, I'm a big fan of fun and a pleasurable experience when it comes to UI (DogCow anyone?) but Liquid Glass sometimes makes getting things done a LOT harder.

I have tried turning on Reduce Transparency and that makes a mess of folder displays in Dark Mode so I am using plain old Liquid Glass on iOS and iPad Os. I haven't moved to Tahoe because of Liquid Glass with the Mac OS.

I'm hoping that the new setting described here makes things more legible and easier to read. When Ive was working at Apple sometimes form followed function (keyboards, etc.) and Liquid Glass seems a return to this thinking - a gimmick that in some instances makes things hard to read, is not my idea of a good idea. 😃

To get work done? God no.

 

[212rikanmofo]

Liquid Glass is the worst thing ever. So difficult to see, especially for older people. If ever though of this idea and supports it should be immediately fired from Apple.

 

[Rafagon]

I want more glass effects not just standard

You can buy these at your local Apple Store. They're priced competitively. This gives you more granular control over how "liquid" your "glass" appears.