Change isn’t at all times simple. Living proof: “Liquid Glass.” Apple’s upcoming “26” updates for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and Imaginative and prescient Professional introduce this new design language that provides a clear, glassy look to icons, menus, and home windows. Some persons are digging it, whereas others are hating on it. And the haters are hating.
I typically like the brand new look, although maybe what I like finest is that it matches throughout all of Apple’s merchandise. It’s additionally good to have a contemporary look on Apple units—particularly the iPhone—for the primary time in years. That stated, I perceive among the criticisms: In the fitting situations, these icons and menus look nice, however relying on the background, it may be very troublesome to learn textual content or view sure components.
Except you obtain the newest Apple betas (which I don’t suggest you do), you gained’t be coping with these modifications till the autumn, when the corporate releases the official updates to most of the people. However in case you do resolve to check out the updates sooner or later in the course of the beta cycle, otherwise you set up iOS 26 or macOS Tahoe this fall and discover you actually cannot stand how clear a few of these home windows are, there’s one thing you are able to do about it.
“Cut back Transparency”
Because it seems, a setting that has existed on Apple units for years is now answerable for limiting the results of Liquid Glass’ most overt design: “Cut back Transparency.” That is an accessibility function current on most Apple units that swaps the clear impact on some UI components with a stable background. The thought is to spice up distinction and visibility for readers who’ve bother viewing objects by the transparency impact, even earlier than Liquid Glass was ever an idea.
In keeping with customers who’re experimenting with the beta, toggling on Cut back Transparency goes a protracted approach to, effectively, decreasing the transparency of the Liquid Glass design. You may see that right here: Earlier than the setting is enabled, the menu bar allows all the colours and graphics of the objects beneath it. As soon as Cut back Transparency kicks in, the menu bar is far flatter, which makes the textual content inside it (particularly the artist identify) a lot simpler to learn.
What do you suppose to this point?
If you end up drawn to the latter possibility, simply allow Cut back Transparency while you replace your units. On iOS and iPadOS, you will discover the choice in Settings > Accessibility > Show & Textual content Dimension. On macOS, you will discover it in System Settings > Accessibility > Show.
As a result of these OS updates are at the moment in beta testing, there is not any telling how issues will change by the point Apple lastly releases them to the general public. For all we all know, the ultimate iteration of Liquid Glass will likely be way more legible than it’s now. However in case you continue to discover it troublesome to make use of, otherwise you simply do not prefer it, this setting ought to assist.
