Apple is making further tweaks to its new “Liquid Glass” design introduced in iOS 26, dialing back some of the transparent effects in the latest beta version. This change comes after early users reported issues with readability, making text and interface elements harder to see clearly. The goal appears to be finding a balance between the new aesthetic and everyday usability.
At its WWDC 2025 event, Apple unveiled Liquid Glass as the fresh look for its operating systems. Inspired by real-world glass, the design aimed to incorporate effects like light refraction and translucency across the interface.
However, the initial versions in the first iOS 26 developer betas presented some challenges. Users found that the high level of transparency could make text on screen harder to read and sometimes caused visual clutter, especially in areas like the Control Center where background elements showed through too much.
Apple addressed some of these issues in the second beta, particularly fixing the overly transparent Control Center. Now, the third developer beta released this week tackles other parts of the system interface, focusing on areas like notifications and navigation within Apple’s own apps.
For instance, if you look at the navigation bar inside the Apple Music app, the background is now less visible peeking through. Instead of a slightly transparent effect, the bar has a more solid white appearance, making the text and icons on it stand out better.
Comparison showing Apple Music navigation bar transparency differences between iOS 26 beta 2 and beta 3.
Notifications are also getting a readability boost. The background area behind the notification text is now darker, which increases the contrast between the text and its backdrop. This makes the notification content easier to glance at and read quickly.
Side-by-side view comparing iOS 26 notifications in beta 2 and beta 3, highlighting increased text contrast.
While many users will appreciate the improvements in clarity, some feedback on this latest beta suggests that Apple might be going too far in the other direction, potentially making the design look less like the “Liquid Glass” concept and more like an older “frosted glass” style.
It’s important to remember that these are still developer betas – early test versions of the software. The main purpose of releasing betas is for Apple to gather feedback, identify bugs, and fine-tune the experience before the official public release scheduled for this fall.
This means the Liquid Glass look isn’t set in stone yet. Apple is likely to continue adjusting the design elements across different apps and system screens in future beta updates, striving to find the right balance between its new visual style and ensuring the interface remains user-friendly and accessible for everyone. Expect more refinements as we get closer to the final launch.
