When Apple rolled out its sleek "Liquid Glass" UI with iOS 26, the reception was mixed. While visually modern, the design's signature translucency quickly became a sore point for many users, who complained that it made text and notifications difficult to read.
Well, it looks like Apple has been listening to the feedback.
With the release of the new iOS 26.1 beta 4, Apple has introduced a simple but crucial alternative: a "Tinted" mode for Liquid Glass. This new option directly addresses the readability complaints by increasing the opacity of the user interface.
For those in the beta program, the new choice can be found in the "Display & Brightness" menu within Settings. Mac users testing the macOS Tahoe 26.1 beta 4 will find a similar toggle under "Appearance" in System Settings.
This update is a welcome win for both accessibility and user customization. It shows that Apple is actively using the beta testing period to refine its software based on user experience. Before this update, the only workaround was a clunky dive into Accessibility settings to manually reduce transparency—a far from ideal solution.
Now, users who found the default "Clear" mode to be a case of form over function will have an official, built-in alternative that should make their devices much easier to read.
While this feature is currently only available to beta testers, it's expected to roll out to the general public with the official iOS 26.1 update.
What Do You Think?
This seems like a positive change, but we want to know your thoughts:
- If you're using iOS 26, have you struggled with the readability of the Liquid Glass UI?
- Do you think this "Tinted" option is the right solution, or would you prefer to disable the effect entirely?
- How important is it for companies like Apple to listen and respond to user feedback on design changes?