iOS 26's new Liquid Glass design has divided iPhone users, with many expressing dissatisfaction. While you can't completely disable Liquid Glass, there are ways to minimize its effects. Adjust transparency settings and lock screen features to regain some of the old interface's charm.
How to Reduce Liquid Glass Effects in iOS 26
How to Reduce Liquid Glass Effects in iOS 26
iOS 26 has become a divisive topic among iPhone owners. On social media, it's clear that not everyone appreciates the new Liquid Glass design. However, there are ways to reduce the glass effects and bring back some of the old style.
While you can't completely opt out of Liquid Glass, there are a few methods to at least minimize the concept's effects.
Reduce Transparency
Go to Settings and select Accessibility. Choose the option "Display & Text Size" and ensure that "Reduce Transparency" is enabled. You should notice a significant difference here.
A downside of reducing transparency is that some buttons on the virtual keyboard (including shift and space) become completely white in Apple's messaging app. The reason for this is unclear, but the issue has existed since the beta version of iOS 26.
In the same menu, you can also try the "Increase Contrast" option to change readability. Whether you like the increased contrast effect is, of course, individual, but it doesn't hurt to try.
Adjust the Lock Screen
Annoyed by the glass-like clock on the lock screen? Press and hold on the home screen, and the "Customize" option will appear at the bottom of the screen after a few seconds. Here, you can adjust the clock by tapping on it and selecting "Solid" instead of "Glass."
Bonus Tip: Change the Address Bar in Safari
Not a Liquid Glass issue, admittedly. But the Safari browser has a new compact address bar that has upset some users. To revert to the classic address bar, go to Settings and Apps. Select Safari and scroll down a bit on the screen, then choose the "Single Tab" option to make the address bar look like it did before.