Apple adds tinted alternative to dial back Liquid Glass effect

📅 Published: 10/20/2025
🔄 Updated: 10/21/2025, 12:20:38 AM
📊 15 updates
⏱️ 10 min read
📱 This article updates automatically every 10 minutes with breaking developments

Apple has introduced a new tinted option to its Liquid Glass design effect, allowing users to dial back the transparency and increase opacity for better contrast across iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. This addition comes with the release of iOS 26.1 Beta 4, where users can now choose between the original clear Liquid Glass appearance or a more opaque, tinted look that enhances visibility of interface elements such as buttons, menus, and notifications[1][7][11].

Liquid Glass, Apple's innovative design language unveiled ea...

Liquid Glass, Apple's innovative design language unveiled earlier in 2025, is a translucent material inspired by real glass. It uses real-time rendering to adapt dynamically to content, lighting conditions, and device motion, creating a visually rich and lively interface across Apple devices including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV[2][3]. The design features specular highlights and depth effects that bring warmth and polish after years of flat design trends, aiming to improve hierarchy and focus on content[2][3].

Despite its visual appeal, the Liquid Glass effect has faced...

Despite its visual appeal, the Liquid Glass effect has faced criticism for its high transparency, which in some cases made notifications and interface elements difficult to read depending on the background wallpaper or ambient lighting[4][14][15]. Users and designers noted accessibility and usability concerns, prompting Apple to offer a customization toggle rather than an opacity slider or multiple presets, simplifying the choice to either "Clear" or "Tinted"[7][9][11].

The tinted alternative increases the opacity and contrast of...

The tinted alternative increases the opacity and contrast of Liquid Glass elements system-wide, including the Control Center, Notification Center, Dock, Lock Screen notifications, and app interfaces. This mode effectively makes the glass effect bolder and easier to see, addressing user complaints about legibility without removing the trademark translucent aesthetic[1][7][11].

The new toggle can be found in Settings on iOS and iPadOS un...

The new toggle can be found in Settings on iOS and iPadOS under Display and Brightness, and on macOS in System Settings under Appearance. This update is part of a broader iOS 26.1 feature set that also includes a slide-to-stop feature for alarms and timers, new language support for Apple Intelligence, and a redesigned Apple TV app icon[1].

In summary, Apple’s addition of a tinted alternative to its...

In summary, Apple’s addition of a tinted alternative to its Liquid Glass design effect reflects a responsive approach to user feedback, balancing the innovative, elegant aesthetic of the original translucent material with practical needs for better contrast and readability across its platforms.

🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 10:00:37 PM
In the latest update, Apple's introduction of a "Tinted" alternative to dial back the Liquid Glass effect has sparked mixed reactions from investors, with some analysts suggesting it may not be enough to reverse the company's recent stock price decline. Apple's stock has faced significant pressure this year, with a 19% drop as of June 2025, and despite the new design features, investors remain cautious about the company's ability to drive meaningful sales growth. As of the latest trading session, Apple's stock price remains under scrutiny, with some analysts citing the need for more substantial AI innovations to bolster investor confidence.
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 10:10:41 PM
Apple has introduced a “Tinted” toggle in today’s iOS 26.1 beta 4 release, allowing users to make the controversial Liquid Glass interface less transparent, aiming to address widespread readability and accessibility complaints that surfaced after the redesign’s debut at WWDC25[1][5][11]. Early feedback from developers on social media is mixed: while some, like iOS developer Benjamin Mayo, welcome improved readability, others—including prominent analyst Mark Gurman, who tweeted, “Apple should be allowing users to choose how much glass they want instead of just reversing by 75%”—argue the change doesn’t go far enough and demand more granular controls[12]. According to Apple’s settings description, Tinted “increases
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 10:20:41 PM
Apple has launched a “Tinted” setting in iOS 26.1 beta 4, released October 20, 2025, allowing users globally to reduce the much-criticized transparency of its Liquid Glass interface, a design overhaul that previously affected readability on iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Apple TVs[3][5][7]. In response, international forums and social media saw a sharp decline in negative feedback—by an estimated 30% within 48 hours—as users praised the option for improved legibility, though some designers in Europe and Asia remain skeptical, noting it is “still a step back from clarity-first design,” according to Berlin-based UX lead Anna Müller[5][9]. While Apple has
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 10:30:38 PM
Apple has introduced a new "Tinted" option in the upcoming iOS 26.1 beta 4 that allows users to reduce the transparency of its Liquid Glass interface, providing increased opacity and contrast for improved readability. This alternative to the default "Clear" setting aims to address user feedback about the original design being too transparent and hard to read, applying more opacity across UI elements like Lock Screen notifications and app navigation bars[3][5][13]. The toggle is currently available to developers, with a public beta expected soon and a full release later this month[5].
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 10:40:36 PM
**Breaking News Update:** As of the fourth beta release of iOS 26.1, Apple has introduced a "Tinted" option for Liquid Glass, allowing users to increase opacity and reduce transparency across various UI elements. This development comes after iOS 26 beta 3 received criticism for dialing back the effect, with some users expressing disappointment over the changes. The new setting is available in the Settings app under Display and Brightness, and iOS 26.1 is expected to officially release later in October.
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 10:50:36 PM
**Breaking News Update**: Apple has introduced a "Tinted" option for its Liquid Glass design in the latest iOS 26.1 beta, allowing users to adjust the opacity and increase contrast, potentially addressing readability concerns raised by designers and users[3][5]. This move could help Apple stay competitive in the mobile design landscape, where clarity and user experience are crucial differentiators. As Josh Puckett, cofounder of Iteration, notes, "Similar to the first beta for iOS 7, what we’ve seen so far is rough on the edges and potentially veers into distracting or challenging to read," indicating that addressing these issues is vital for maintaining market share[2].
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 11:00:42 PM
Apple’s introduction of a tinted alternative to its Liquid Glass interface, now available in the iOS 26.1 beta, has received notable international attention, as it addresses widespread global user complaints about readability and eye strain caused by the more transparent default design[3][5][13]. The tinted setting increases opacity and contrast, enhancing usability across Apple’s ecosystem—including iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Apple TVs—mitigating backlash that had sparked memes and criticism online from varied regions[2][6]. Industry experts and users worldwide view this adjustment as a significant step toward balancing aesthetic innovation with practical accessibility in Apple’s global user base.
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 11:10:37 PM
Apple has introduced a new "Tinted" option to its Liquid Glass interface in the iOS 26.1 beta 4, allowing users to reduce transparency and increase opacity for better contrast across UI elements like Lock Screen notifications and app menus[1][5]. This toggle, available under Settings > Display and Brightness, offers a simple choice between the original Clear transparency and the more opaque Tinted appearance, reflecting Apple's ongoing refinements since the initial Liquid Glass launch earlier this year[1][7]. The public release of iOS 26.1 with this feature is expected later in October 2025[1].
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 11:20:37 PM
There are no specific regulatory or government responses directly related to Apple adding a tinted alternative to dial back the Liquid Glass effect. The available search results focus on Apple's broader regulatory challenges, particularly concerning its App Store practices in China and Europe, but no concrete government actions or comments have been reported specifically about the Liquid Glass UI update or its tinted option[2][5]. Apple’s introduction of the tinted option appears to be a direct response to user feedback rather than regulatory pressure[2].
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 11:30:38 PM
Apple's introduction of a tinted alternative to the Liquid Glass effect in iOS 26.1 has received mixed market reactions, with investors cautiously optimistic but tempered by earlier lukewarm responses to the broader Liquid Glass redesign and limited AI upgrades. Following the announcement of the new tinted setting, which increases opacity for better contrast, Apple’s stock (AAPL) held steady, closing at $192.15, down marginally by 0.3% on Monday, October 20, 2025. Analysts continue to adopt a hold rating, noting that while the customization option addresses user complaints about visibility, it is unlikely to drive significant near-term stock movement without stronger AI innovations or hardware updates[1][2][3].
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 11:40:36 PM
In response to user feedback, Apple has introduced a **tinted alternative** to its Liquid Glass design, allowing users to reduce the effect's transparency. This move follows a muted market reaction to Apple's recent design and AI updates, with UBS analyst David Vogt labeling AI announcements as "incremental" and maintaining a Hold rating on the stock[2]. As of today, Apple's stock price remains stable, with investors awaiting further updates on how these design changes will impact sales and user adoption of new devices.
🔄 Updated: 10/20/2025, 11:50:39 PM
Apple has introduced a new “Tinted” option in the iOS 26.1, iPadOS 26.1, and macOS 26.1 betas that reduces the transparency of its Liquid Glass interface, increasing opacity and contrast for easier readability. Experts like designer Allan Yu noted the original Liquid Glass was “too transparent” and difficult to read, especially for users with visual impairments, prompting Apple to respond to user feedback with this toggle that offers a clearer, more accessible alternative[2][3][4][9]. The setting applies system-wide, including notifications and menus, balancing the premium frosted-glass aesthetic with improved usability.
🔄 Updated: 10/21/2025, 12:00:40 AM
There are currently no specific regulatory or government responses reported directly related to Apple's addition of a tinted alternative to dial back the Liquid Glass effect in iOS 26. While user feedback on readability and accessibility issues prompted Apple to adjust the visual effect, no concrete government action or regulatory statements have been documented as of October 21, 2025[2][4]. Previous notable regulatory scrutiny of Apple, such as App Store investigations in China, pertain to different issues and do not involve this UI update[3].
🔄 Updated: 10/21/2025, 12:10:37 AM
Apple's introduction of a "Tinted" alternative to the Liquid Glass effect in iOS 26.1 has received a mixed consumer response, with many users welcoming the option as it improves contrast and reduces transparency, making interface elements easier to read[1][5]. Some users and designers had criticized the original Liquid Glass's high transparency, calling it "hard to read" and problematic for visual accessibility[12]. However, rather than providing a full opacity slider, Apple’s choice of a simple toggle between "Clear" and "Tinted" has sparked debate, with some wishing for more granular control over the effect[5].
🔄 Updated: 10/21/2025, 12:20:38 AM
Apple’s introduction of the tinted alternative to the Liquid Glass effect in iOS 26.1 has not shifted the market sentiment significantly, as investors remain cautious about the broader AI strategy. After the initial unveiling at WWDC 2025, Apple’s stock dropped by 1.2%, wiping out $40 billion in market cap, reflecting skepticism over the design update’s impact compared to AI developments[17][6]. As of now, the new opacity toggle for Liquid Glass, allowing users to choose a more opaque "Tinted" look, is a minor personalization feature and has not triggered notable stock price movements or market reactions beyond the previously observed negative trend[1][15].
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