How do I remove the liquid glass look from app icons on iOS 26?

Hello~ At present …what you want is not possible. There’s simply no other way to put it. You may also lick on below and let Apple know you thoughts as they will not see them here.

Product Feedback - Apple

~Katana-San~

I found that going to Settings>Accessibility>Display and Text Size and turning on Reduce Transparency and also turning on Increase Contrast made my display look more like it used to, than just turning on Reduce Transparency

ridley_walker wrote:

This is one of the worst UI updates in memory. Apple needs to provide an option to revert to the previous style, liquid glass is awful.

I like it, but Mrs LD150 doesn’t, so I set Settings, Accessibility, Motion to Reduce motion, and Settings Display & Text size to Reduce transparency. Now she thinks I rolled it back 😇

“until we get enough voices for any update of unhappiness they won’t do anything.”

You don’t need voices here, you need feedback here https://apple.com/feedback

I’m not aware there is a way to switch it off in one setting. You can submit feedback directly to Apple to let them know. They won’t reply to you but all feedback is looked at. I’m afraid this one would need a lot of users to dislike it before they consider providing an option to opt out. Feedback - iPad - Apple

Well, I don’t agree it is a terrible update. I like it. Just because you don’t like it doesn't mean make it terrible update.

And it is impossible to remove it, unless you hack (jailbreak) your iPhone, which makes it vulnerable to all sorts or nasty malware exploits.

The best fix I have found so far is to delete my wallpaper and just have it be black. It isn’t perfect but it helps.

ridley_walker wrote:

This is one of the worst UI updates in memory. Apple needs to provide an option to revert to the previous style, liquid glass is awful.

I also think it's a giant step forward and adds a layer of visual interest which is terrific. You can choose to dislike it if you want. But remove it you can't, so maybe just get used to it and worry about something else which may have a greater meaning in the overall scheme of things.

Point – Counter Point, I personally think this is the best UI yet.

While I agree, it would be nice for some folks to roll back the changes, it’s not possible for many reasons. Sorry.

Mac Jim ID wrote:

lobsterghost1 wrote:

Are you really suggesting you couldn't read the home screen of my iPhone and iPad, which by the way use the full effects of Liquid Glass:

I think your Home Screens look great! The choice of the Wallpaper has a big impact and is a users choice, but for me the darker/solid ones work better for those complaining of readability issues.

They do, which is why I'm going to update my user tip to suggest that Dark, less busy wallpapers work better with Liquid Glass.

jcaldwell88 wrote:

Geminikki,

Wholeheartedly agree with you- this update is also giving me a headache. It is simply terrible. This is horrible business practice. Sure, update the iOS as needed for security updates and such- but for something like the display and icon rendering, why not have a simple toggle to turn it on and off. Not every user likes this update (obviously), so to force it down everyone's throat is ridiculous. I know with absolute certainty that I will use my phone less, given this update, because it gives me a headache. If my family wasn't so wrapped around Apple's ecosystem, I would switch carriers. It is that uncomfortable. This graphics change is litterally that bad. Words cannot descirbe how much I hate it, but besides the visceral uncomfort when looking at it, the icons and everything are so busy that it is honestly mentally taxing to view. I guees it wouldnt be the worst thing in the world to use my phone less, but what a weird business idea... Using the Max Dalton youtube video helps, but it is still not the same. I simply hate it. Please Apple, let the users decide if they want this wacky way or rendering things. To each their own- if you like it fine. But don't force everyone to use it.

Apple won't see your comment here. This is a user to user only forum. If you want Apple to hear you, use this --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

I wrote this to help people who are not as happy with Liquid Glass as I am (and I actually love it), which also explains why a simple off switch is not likely, NOR simple --> Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community

Everyone needs to get on board with these new Skeuomorphic designs. Android is adding similar design aspects to Android phones (it's called Material Design 3). Windows is moving this direction. Perhaps it all needs refinement, but it is where things are going.

annieambo wrote:

I’ve followed all the suggestions to reduce the transparency of Liquid Glass. The time display is still transparent and difficult to read especially in low light.

It is not clear from your post what all suggestions refers to or if you are running iOS 26.2 where this option is only available. The clock can be set to use Sold colors and a slider to adjust the transparency, is this what you are referring to?

To adjust the clock on your Lock Screen, press hard on the Lock Screen > Customize > Tap the clock > Choose either Glass or Solid and Choose whatever color you'd like the clock numbers to be, including a slider to determine the amount of opacity > Tap Done when you are satisfied.

Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community

unixlarp wrote:

We are well aware, but Liquid Glass is still terrible. It gives me a migraine and I'm having to use my iPhone 6s Plus to relieve my brain.

No one here can change Liquid Glass or fix problems with your brain. All we can do is direct you to resources for ameliorating it. You might also want to submit feedback to Apple:

Product Feedback - Apple

Mr.Random12144 wrote:

It’s hard to see at times

Read this ALL the way through and make adjustments, which will likely help you --> Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community

I'm not liking the outline around the icons either. I especially find the thin outline around my mailboxes in the Mail app distracting and unnecessary. It looks like somebody's draft idea they forgot to clean up. I also find the large rounded tabs in Safari bloated, distracting and totally unnecessary. That said, they do help to identify which tab is active which was a problem with the previous iteration of the tabs but these new rounded tabs are an overdone solution. Apple are you listening?