- Liquid Glass is part of the iOS 26 design, but it can be softened with Accessibility and the opacity adjustment in iOS 26.1.
- “Reduce transparency”, “Increase contrast” and “Bold text” improve readability throughout the system.
- iOS 26.1 adds "Clear/Tinted" to Display & Brightness > Liquid Crystal, with instant preview.
The new visual language of iOS 26, baptized as Liquid glassIt has generated enthusiasm and also a few raised eyebrows. This translucent, frosted style adds depth and modernity, but some users find it causes eye strain or distractions, and wonder... How to remove the Liquid Glass effect on iPhone.
Why? In forum threads and on social media, the reasons have been shared: widgets that don't look good on certain backgrounds, an inconsistent dark mode, alarms with oversized buttons and unclear transparencies that clutter the lock screen, and elements that overlap erratically in the Phone app. There are even areas of the system that, to this day, don't seem to have fully adopted the new features. Liquid glass, creating a feeling of inconsistency.
Is it possible to completely remove the Liquid Glass effect on iPhone?
As of iOS 26, there is no single toggle switch that says “disable Liquid Glass.” Apple considers this design a central part of the system's aesthetics. However, there are two paths that bring you closer to that goal: on the one hand, Accessibility settings (available to everyone in iOS 26) and, on the other hand, the new opacity control that comes with iOS 26.1.
The first thing you should know is that Accessibility allows you to "flatten" the system: by activating parameters such as Reduce transparency y Increase contrastMany translucent layers disappear or darken noticeably, improving the readability of text and outlines. The Dock, Control Center, context menus, and buttons gain opacity and become cleaner and more solid.
Additionally, if you're already on iOS 26.1 (at the time of its release, available in developer and public beta), Apple adds a specific setting to modulate the glass: the path is Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid CrystalThere you will see two options: "Clear"which maintains the effect as in iOS 26, and "Had"This increases background opacity and contrast. You can instantly preview the result before applying the change, making the adjustment... very comfortable.
It's wise to have realistic expectations: even with "Tinting" and Accessibility, not the entire system will look identical to iOS 18. Apple isn't eliminating the design language, but it's giving you room to customize it. reduce its prominenceIn particular, the adjustments mainly affect system interfaces and some views within apps; other areas, such as certain widgets, might not change as much.
How to minimize the impact with Accessibility (iOS 26)
If you haven't yet installed iOS 26.1—or if you want to play it safe—the Accessibility settings are your best friend. The goal is to increase opacity, improve contrast, and make reading easier, all without disabling anything "critical." This method works in iOS 26, and it's also useful in previous versions if transparencies generally bother you, since It doesn't require anything special. to apply it.
Recommended route for a major visual transformation: Settings > Accessibility > Display and text sizeInside, activate these key options to "flatten" the system:
- Reduce transparencyThis is the main toggle. Activating it makes translucent backgrounds much more opaque or completely flat. The Control Center no longer hints at what's behind it, the Dock becomes more solid, and the floating panels... they become much more legible.
- Increase contrastIt better defines edges, separates planes, and makes it easier to distinguish buttons and controls. In sections like the Control Center, you'll see that the elements gain clarity. contour and sharpness.
- Bold textIt doesn't change the glass itself, but it enhances legibility. With reduced transparency and high contrast, the bold typography helps to... each label stands out at first.
This trio results in a cleaner interface, free of visual clutter. In practice, the translucent effect no longer steals the show, and many controls now resemble the flatter style of other versions. Even the translucent variations of the icons on the home screen lose some of their effect, offering a more stable look.
Keep in mind that, despite the change, you may still see minor UI glitches: iOS 26 introduced significant modifications, and some inconsistencies persist in certain modules. But for everyday use, this combination of Accessibility makes a significant difference in comfort.
Opacity control in iOS 26.1: “Light” vs “Tinted”
With iOS 26.1, Apple responds to complaints with a dedicated setting for the effect itself. Going to Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid CrystalYou can choose between "Clear" (the original translucent behavior) or "Tinted," which increases opacity and contrast overall. The preview is in real time, so you can stick with the mode you prefer. whichever is more comfortable for you before exiting Settings.
This slider doesn't allow you to remove the Liquid Glass effect on iPhone, but it's an excellent middle ground: it preserves the sense of depth, only with more restrained backgrounds and text that stands out bestFor many, it's the ideal way to enjoy iOS 26 without sacrificing usability.
Details to consider: iOS 26.1 was initially released in beta (developer and public), with a full-scale rollout expected later. Also, even with "Tinting," there are areas that may not change as much (for example, some widgets).
I want it to look like iOS 18: useful tweaks and tricks
If you find the design too "vibrant" and prefer a more understated style, you can get closer to the iOS 18 aesthetic with a mix of tweaks. Activate Reduce transparency y Increase contrast, put the Bold text and choose the "Tint" option in iOS 26.1. This combination will flatten the system, make the panels look solid, and mitigate glare and reflections that so many people find annoying. distracted.
Additionally, review your home screen customization if you're using icons with translucent variations. By removing that version, you'll achieve a more uniform home screen with fewer brightness variations. With these changes, the Dock, Control Center, and modal menus will have a more "serious" presence. well-defined contours.
A practical tip: test each change separately for a few minutes before deciding. Although it sounds obvious, you'll see that "Reduce Transparency" can have a greater impact than expected, and combined with high contrast and bold text, the system looks stunning. frankly more legibleIf you then enable "Tint" in iOS 26.1, you'll have an even more comfortable experience.
Important: There's no "right" or "wrong" way to use your iPhone. The key is that you feel comfortable. If you love the new look, great; and if not, Apple offers these tools to help you. adjust it to your liking.
Common problems reported by users
Beyond personal tasteIn the first few weeks with iOS 26, we have seen some glitches or questionable decisions that explain some of the anger. The most frequently mentioned are the following, in case you encounter them and want to know you're not alone:
- Widgets and dark modeSome panels lose legibility depending on the background; and some folders appear "white" even with dark mode active.
- Alarms and lock screen: large buttons with confusing transparencies, taking up too much visual space on the lock screen.
- Phone App: strange overlap of some elements and irregular consistency between views.
- Keyboard and icons: an "overly round" appearance and high brightness in certain icons, which not everyone finds convincing.
- Small changes of locationFor example, the button to save screenshots has been moved to the side, which breaks habits and generates initial friction.
Overall, it feels like iOS 26 arrived a bit late. Even so, Apple has been refining details and, with iOS 26.1, introduces tools so that aesthetics don't compromise performance. daily usabilityIf you encounter a specific bug, it's best to report it and keep the system updated to receive fixes as soon as possible.
What changes with iOS 26.1 (besides the glass)
The focus of iOS 26.1 is the new opacity setting for LCD screens, but it's not the only new feature. It also includes the ability to assign a direct camera gesture from the lock screen: you can make the swipe left Open the Camera app. You'll see it in Settings > Camera > Swipe on Lock Screen to Open Camera.
Another practical new feature: the option to capture audio and video locally while recording a video call. It's a feature designed for creators, journalists, or anyone who needs to record an important conversation without relying on third-party apps and while on the go.
Apple Intelligence continues to expand with support for eight additional languages (Traditional Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, and Turkish). Simultaneous translation is also growing with five new languages (Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Italian, Japanese, and Korean), reinforcing its ambition to serve an ever-expanding global community.
Small "quality of life" improvements round out the version: new gestures in Apple Music to change themes more quickly; a revamped Alarm interface, which replaces the stop button with a safer slider to reduce errors when turning it off; and an option to install automatically improve securityso that critical patches arrive without manual intervention.
If you want to check if iOS 26.1 is ready for you, go to Settings> General> Software updateWhen it's available, you'll be able to download and install it in just a couple of taps. And remember that the "Liquid Crystal" setting in Display and Brightness It includes a preview, so you can try "Light" and "Dyed" and keep the one you like best. eye rest I'll contribute to it.
Notes and limitations of these adjustments
For clarity: as things stand today, There is no total deactivation of the Liquid Glass language. What you can do is minimize it until you barely notice it. The new control in iOS 26.1 reduces its presence, and Accessibility further enhances the effect with extra opacity and contrast.
It's also important to keep in mind that the impact isn't uniform: overall, the system and many internal views change quite a bit, but some areas—for example, certain home screen widgets—might continue showing Translucent nuances. If legibility is a priority for you, "Tinted" + Accessibility is, today, the best combination. more effective.
How to remove the Liquid Glass effect on iPhone: Quick questions
- Can I go back to iOS 18? Technically, it might be possible for a limited time after a major update, but it's generally not recommended and depends on Apple still signing the previous version. If the glass is what bothers you, try Accessibility first and, if possible, adjust the opacity setting in iOS 26.1.
- Is “Reduce transparency” the same as the “Tint” setting? No. “Reduce Transparency” belongs to Accessibility and tends to flatten and darken backgrounds throughout the system; “Tinting” is a design language-specific control that increases opacity while maintaining the essence of the effect. Used together, they offer a more homogeneous result.
- Will I miss anything if you reduce the effect? You won't lose any features. You'll simply see a more robust interface. Many users find that the iPhone becomes more comfortable to read this way, especially outdoors or to avoid eye strain.
- Why doesn't Apple offer a "total screen off" option? Because Liquid Glass is part of the visual identity of iOS 26. Even so, with iOS 26.1 Apple has listened to the community and offers a middle ground with adjustable opacity, in addition to the existing Accessibility options.
With all of the above, you now know how to remove the Liquid Glass effect on your iPhone: if the new "glass" bothers you, start with Accessibility (Reduce Transparency, Increase Contrast, and Bold Text) and, if possible, add the "Tinted" mode from iOS 26.1. The system becomes more stable, legible, and predictable. sensible balance to enjoy the iPhone your way.
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