How would you improve Liquid Glass?

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

There has clearly been a lot of discussion surrounding Apple’s implementation of Liquid Glass on Mac (or in general), so I thought it would be interesting to talk about what changes, if any, users would want to see in the future - hopefully a more positive thread.

It’s a good opportunity to create mock-ups or share ideas.

Personally, I would like to see Apple replace the (weak) ‘tinted’ option with something that tones down a greater variety of Liquid Glass’s characteristics, including the drop shadows, removal of title bars/button backgrounds, and use of overlaying sidebars that can’t be hidden anyway.

 

[benwiggy]

Remove all Transparency. Stop content areas scrolling into the window frame.
Loose the rounded corners, or at least reduce the radius drastically.

Set the toolbar/window top panel to be in a stronger colour; or possibly even a non-solid pattern like the old steel effect. This would allow more contrast for the highlights and shadows of the Liquid Glass controls.

Interestingly, Preview has a preference to set a colour for the background of its windows. Inevitably, this bleeds into the Toolbar, to good effect. (I think).

Compare this:

to this:

My main beef with the interface (apart from transparency) is also true of Sequoia -- it's just all so white. Bring back some colour and contrast.

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

Interestingly, Preview has a preference to set a colour for the background of its windows. Inevitably, this bleeds into the Toolbar, to good effect. (I think).

Compare this:
View attachment 2598357

to this:

View attachment 2598358

I had no idea about this, thanks for sharing!

 

[nebojsak]

Some kind of this would be nice

 

[Wolf1701]

Personally, I would like to see Apple replace the (weak) ‘tinted’ option with something that tones down a greater variety of Liquid Glass’s characteristics, including the drop shadows, removal of title bars/button backgrounds, and use of overlaying sidebars that can’t be hidden anyway.

The Sequoia GUI with only the menu bar (optionally) transparent? And the transparent dock isn't bad either.

 

[savantgk3]

I just want to remove the shiny white "glass" edge off every window, widget, button, and icon to make the UI look more flat like Sequoia/iOS 18. Usually little things like that don't bother me, but it makes the UI feel more playful to me in a way I just don't prefer

Also when doing split screen view on iPad there is no reason for the window corners in the middle of the screen to be rounded. A distracting waste of space.

I guess "a distracting waste of space" is my vibe about the entire Liquid Glass thing in general. Here's hoping they abandon in for 27, or at least give several different "theme" options for the UI. Not sure why they can't just do that now but...

 

[Apple Knowledge Navigator]

I just want to remove the shiny white "glass" edge off every window, widget, button, and icon to make the UI look more flat like Sequoia/iOS 18. Usually little things like that don't bother me, but it makes the UI feel more playful to me in a way I just don't prefer

This is an interesting point, that even just removing the inherent 'glassiness' from the elements would be an improvement, since they technically don't serve a purpose.

 

[F.O. Krupke]

Before "improving" Liquid Glass I would implore Apple to address the numerous bugs in Tahoe and iOS 26.