Apple launched iOS 26.1 beta 4 on Monday, that features a few new options and common enhancements. However probably the most thrilling additions to iOS 26.1 beta 4 is the Liquid Glass customization possibility that iPhone customers wished from the second Apple launched the primary iOS 26 beta. iOS 26.1 beta 4 lastly lets customers resolve how clear Liquid Glass must be. This is not simply concerning the look of apps, notifications, and menus; it is about making certain the transparency does not make the content material on the iPhone tougher to learn.
Again in June, the primary iOS 26 beta launch made it clear that Liquid Glass could be probably the most controversial factor concerning the new iPhone working system. Apple has tweaked the transparency results in subsequent iOS 26 beta releases and included an Accessibility characteristic within the iPhone’s Settings app to scale back the Liquid Glass transparency. A brand new wave of complaints adopted the official launch of iOS 26 in September, when iPhone customers who didn’t check any of the beta releases acquired to satisfy the brand new design.
It is unlikely that Apple will let customers flip off Liquid Glass fully. Apple utilized the brand new design uniformly throughout its merchandise. Liquid Glass might be wanted for future good glasses experiences that embody shows positioned within the lenses. Nevertheless, Apple is able to allow you to customise the transparency by way of a Liquid Glass toggle.
Easy methods to customise the Liquid Glass look in iOS 26.1 beta 4
The brand new Liquid Glass toggle is not instantly discoverable. It is not on the primary web page of the Settings app. You will need to go to the Show & Brightness menu to seek out it. Faucet on Liquid Glass and you will have two choices: Clear and Tinted. Apple explains that the Clear possibility is extra clear, exhibiting the content material beneath. The Tinted possibility will increase the opacity and distinction. That is the choice that iPhone customers sad with the transparency of Liquid Glass will need.
Nevertheless, you will not be capable to select one of many two Liquid Glass choices when you have the Cut back Transparency and Enhance Distinction settings enabled within the Accessibility menu. Apple instructs you to show off these options earlier than you possibly can customise the Liquid Glass setting. As soon as you possibly can tweak the Liquid Glass expertise, you possibly can check each the Clear and Tinted choices to see which one works higher. MacRumors’ video above exhibits a number of side-by-side comparisons that may provide help to resolve.
The setting can be out there to iPad customers as soon as they set up the iPadOS 26.1 beta 4 replace. iPhone and iPad customers who don’t run the newest beta releases on their gadgets will not have entry to the Liquid Glass setting till Apple releases the ultimate iOS 26.1 and iPadOS 26.1 variations.
Prior to now few weeks, we additionally discovered that iOS 26’s Liquid Glass results eat extra power than iOS 18. A unique experiment confirmed that the iPhone 17 Professional Max would characteristic even higher battery life with out Liquid Glass. It is unlikely the brand new Liquid Glass customization possibility in iOS 26.1 beta 4 will enhance battery life. The Liquid Glass results stay in place whatever the degree of transparency.