How to disable Liquid Glass effect in iOS 26?

Hi Apple Team,

I’m writing this with deep frustration.

iPadOS 26 introduced the so-called “liquid glass” visual style, and I honestly have no idea how such a decision passed internal testing.

This update has seriously damaged the usability of my iPad, to the point where prolonged use causes immediate eye strain.

The rendering looks blurry, smeared, and unstable — especially during typing.

The interface feels like it’s constantly shimmering or shifting, which was never an issue on iPadOS 17/18.

Please, do a simple Google search or visit Reddit for five minutes:

Thousands of users are reporting the same problem.

This isn’t a niche complaint.

It is a system-wide regression that directly affects users’ ability to work, study, and create.

Let me be clear:

We do not need “liquid glass”, depth effects, or over-processed animations.

We need the option to revert to the crisp, stable, functional interface you have used for over a decade.

Right now the most frustrating part is this:

👉 You released a visually broken OS

👉 You removed the option to revert to the previous version

👉 And you expect users to simply endure it

This is not acceptable.

Please bring back the ability to downgrade.

Or at the very least, provide a toggle to completely disable the new liquid-glass effects.

Not everyone wants an over-styled interface at the cost of eye comfort.

This is one of the few times in my long Apple history that I feel the company has actively harmed the user experience.

Thank you — but seriously, please fix this.

We just want our stable interface back.

lobsterghost1 wrote:

Maktig_ wrote:

I am dyslexic and have ADHD. Added movement and transparent overlapping elements is distracting and makes it hard to see what I want to focus on. Every time there is an update I spend hours trying to put things back “the way they were”. I think Apple is more committed to the aesthetic of their design team than making products that work well .

If you find the added movement bothersome, do something about it. This explains how --> Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community

Hello~ Your user tip has been a big hit with my family!! My sister found it easily understood and went right to work using it as a guide. Then …my 3 ADHD grandsons, one of which has epilepsy have found that your information has made a helpful difference for them!! So all around kudos and thank you so very much for your hard work/support to so many!! Everyone that is having issues needs to give it Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community a read.

~Katana-San~

Aricaz wrote:

I have turned on reduce transparency in settings to eliminate this problem albeit it is only temporary unfortunately, as it continues to revert back to Liquid Glass. It’s extremely frustrating as the Liquid Glass makes it challenging for those visually impaired. Even with my prescription glasses. This was a terrible choice by Apple.

Have you told Apple what you think?

Product Feedback - Apple

Here is how to remove the Liquid Glass effect in iOS 26

1. Start on your iPhone home screen (locked)
2. Tap and hold on your Home Screen
3. Tap "Customize"
4. Tap the time and the customize option screen will pop up
5. At the bottom of your screen you can toggle from "Glass" to "Solid"
6. Then tap the "x" or anywhere else on the screen
7. Finally select "Done" in the top right hand corner of your screen

Re: IOS slow or increased battery usage?

Here's what Apple and some Trade Press have to say:

Performance and battery impact

Apple’s hardware and software are designed together to deliver great performance and great battery life. As new features and improvements are added, they can change the way we use our devices, as you explore and utilize these new capabilities. Here are some important things to keep in mind:

Immediately after completing an update, particularly a major release, you might notice a temporary impact on battery life and thermal performance. This is normal, as your device needs time to complete the setup process in the background, including indexing data and files for search, downloading new assets, and updating apps. 

New features are exciting and help you get even more out of your Apple product, though some may require additional resources from the device. Depending on individual usage, some users may notice a small impact on performance and/or battery life. Apple continually works to optimize these features in software updates to ensure great battery life and a smooth user experience.

from:

About Apple software updates - Apple Support

The main takeaway? After installing iOS 26, or any other major software update, there will be an initial period of additional background processing that puts a strain on your device. This should be a non-issue after the first couple days.

from:

https://9to5mac.com/2025/09/15/apple-explains-why-ios-26-could-affect-your-iphones-battery-life/

I advise don’t update to 26 stay on 18.6 etc. there is no going back. It is very challenging. I think it was a mistake that they did. I don’t know many users that are happy about the update. It would be wise of Apple to give an option to continue to run 18 and get updates and security patches and not migrate to 26.

I did not buy a new device because of 26. I just returned an iPad and kept my old one running, 18.6 etc.

So sad!

😭

Exactly, you get the point if you are visually challenged, it makes it impossible to use their devices. I concur. I don’t believe they thought it is form without function. If you are visually challenged, it makes it absolutely impossible to use it as a viable device.

Stephanie465 wrote:

I advise don’t update to 26 stay on 18.6 etc. there is no going back. It is very challenging. I think it was a mistake that they did. I don’t know many users that are happy about the update. It would be wise of Apple to give an option to continue to run 18 and get updates and security patches and not migrate to 26.

I did not buy a new device because of 26. I just returned an iPad and kept my old one running, 18.6 etc.

So sad!

😭

No one I know is upset about iOS 26. I actually quite like it.

If you want to know more about Liquid Glass and things you can do to tone it down, read this --> Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community

I can deal with most of the Liquid Glass issues, but I cannot tolerate the sub-screen when I am dialing my phone, with Favorites/REcents/Contacts/Keypad/Voicemail. It cover-up the delete button and the "dial" button. It's totally nuts. I haven't seen anyone address this issue. Talk about "Accessibility". I spent half an hour trying to call a phone number and I can't do it because of this outrageously dysfunctional "feature".

Yea. I'm asking myself the same thing. I'm sad there's no way to toggle it off inside the iphone right now. I'm autistic with very very very very bad cognitive rigidity which means I have no tolerance to abrupt changes and what I need is to be warned about it much beforehand and Apple didn't warn it when I updated my phone for safety and doesn't give the option to turn it off. And now, I see the outside layout of my phone and I receive messages and I feel very, very, very bad and very stressed out and it's letting me nervous and throwing me off 😥 this update is so liquid glass but take out "liquid gl"

This suggestion only addresses the glass effect in the lock screen clock. I want this liquid glass BANISHED from my device and any other device. Let’s focus on iPhone. I want it gone. Liquid glass is trash! How do I switch it back to normal format?

adrianpiwo wrote:

Every! real „physical“ person I know is upset about Liquid Glass

And every "real, physical person" I know isn't bothered in the least by Liquid Glass. ALL of my friends and co-workers use me as their Apple Support person, after being on this forum for more than 15 years. While I've helped many with some of the settings changes I detailed in this user tip I authored --> Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community, no one I know who is on Liquid Glass (and I know a LOT) are unhappy at all. Many actually like it, as do I.

On a final note, I'm in my 70s as are a LOT of my friends. It's safe to say our vision isn't what it was when we were much younger and Liquid Glass isn't causing us visibility issues as many here claim it does.

I am dyslexic and have ADHD. Added movement and transparent overlapping elements is distracting and makes it hard to see what I want to focus on. Every time there is an update I spend hours trying to put things back “the way they were”. I think Apple is more committed to the aesthetic of their design team than making products that work well .

Apple’s user base is literally over 1 billion. Making a user interface perfectly compatible for every user is literally impossible. Apple will make changes (or not make changes) based partially on the feedback they receive through their official channel, linked below and good luck.

Product Feedback - Apple

I have turned on reduce transparency in settings to eliminate this problem albeit it is only temporary unfortunately, as it continues to revert back to Liquid Glass. It’s extremely frustrating as the Liquid Glass makes it challenging for those visually impaired. Even with my prescription glasses. This was a terrible choice by Apple.