New iOS and macOS betas add “tinted” toggle to tone down Liquid Glass

Apple is making strides to refine its Liquid Glass user interface, a standout yet polarizing feature introduced in this year's major software updates. This innovative design brought a new level of fluidity and translucency to iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, but many users found the default settings less than ideal for readability. In response to user feedback, the upcoming 26.1 update will introduce a new toggle feature that allows users to select between a Clear and Tinted appearance for Liquid Glass. The Clear option remains the default, while the Tinted option increases opacity and contrast, enhancing visibility without sacrificing the aesthetic appeal of the interface. This new toggle serves as a middle ground between the default settings and the more drastic “reduce transparency” option, which is found deeper within the Accessibility settings. The Tinted option ensures that colors and faint shapes remain discernible beneath the glass panes, striking a balance between style and usability, unlike the more extreme alterations of the “reduce transparency” setting.