How to disable liquid glass in iOS 26?

mailsaka wrote:

1️⃣ Turn OFF these Accessibility settings

Go to Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size

Make sure the following are OFF:

Reduce Transparency → OFF

Increase Contrast → OFF

Reduce White Point → OFF

2️⃣ Update to iPadOS 26.1

26.1 adjusts some Liquid Glass behaviors — this step is required before applying the fix.

3️⃣ The actual fix: Change Liquid Glass to “Tinted”

After update to iPadOS26 you will reach a new menu;

Settings → Display & Brightness → Liquid Glass

and select Tinted from there

Feel free to reply if it works (or doesn’t) 

All detailed in this user tip which I wrote and has been posted multiple times throughout this thread --> Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community

this actually seems to be helping slightly. I don't like the liquid glass look but my eyes aren't hurting AS much after doing exactly what you instructed. It's still hard to look at but doesn't feel like I stayed up for 24 hours straight without blinking now like I did after updating with the settings I had.

I’ve received some comments suggesting that my previous post was “trash talk,” but I want to clarify that what I shared was serious and genuinely important to me. If others felt it was trash, that’s their opinion—but I would appreciate it if unnecessary comments could be avoided.

I’m honestly very upset. My issue has still not been resolved, and I’ve felt ignored and dismissed. This week I’m getting my second phone, and I’m seriously considering switching to another platform because I’m struggling with the new UI experience. It has become unbearable for me, despite having used Apple products for many years.

If expressing my frustration is considered “trash talking,” then so be it—but these problems are real for me. I didn’t expect this kind of response; I thought trolling was something I’d only see in my own region, but it appears to be global.

I’m just looking for genuine help and hoping my concerns can be taken seriously.

Mac Jim ID wrote:

ckmrt wrote:

I’m just looking for genuine help and hoping my concerns can be taken seriously.

You have received all the options in this post to reduce the Liquid Glass effect. There really is nothing left to add and sending Feedback using the provided link is how you let Apple know how you feel about the UI. Continuing to express your frustration here will make no difference.

As for switching to another platform, that is completely up to you and makes no difference to any of us here. I would recommend to make a purchase based on what best meets your needs, whatever that is. As for Android devices, you may want to be aware of the recent Android 16 version of the OS, where they have introduced blur and transparency effects in the UI very similar to Liquid Glass. The only difference is that they call it Material Design 3, and no it cannot be removed there either.

I was honestly unaware of Material Design 3, but just did some research and yep, there are some very similar aspects to Liquid Glass. The reality is two dimensional dominance of user interfaces is heading to pasture and more Skeuomorphic design which is a style in user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design where digital elements take on the appearance of items in the real world is where EVERYTHING is headed on every platform.

Personally, I find this VERY exciting, so thank you for this!

lobsterghost1 wrote:

All detailed in this user tip which I wrote and has been posted multiple times throughout this thread --> Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community

And your user tip is formatted in a readable way.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

lobsterghost1 wrote:

All detailed in this user tip which I wrote and has been posted multiple times throughout this thread --> Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community

And your user tip is formatted in a readable way.

Thank you! Much appreciated!

To disable the Liquid Glass effect in iPadOS 26, go to Settings, then tap on Display & Brightness, and select the option for Liquid Glass to choose between Clear or Tinted. Selecting Tinted will reduce the transparency and increase contrast, making it less distracting.

JackPetro wrote:

To disable the Liquid Glass effect in iPadOS 26, go to Settings, then tap on Display & Brightness, and select the option for Liquid Glass to choose between Clear or Tinted. Selecting Tinted will reduce the transparency and increase contrast, making it less distracting.

Do you realize you are replying to a post from September? Chances are the Author of this thread has by now learned what is possible with Liquid Glass. It's usually a good idea to check the date of the post you're responding to before commenting.

I think liquid glass is awful. Reducing transparency helped some but it is still awful. I am writing messages with another message showing up underneath. It is distracting and I think it is ugly. Asking Apple for a feature to completely disable what I think is a total mess.

This “liquid glass” display is terrible for somebody with visual issues. My friend cannot see her icons as well, since this update. I have tried everything you’ve mentioned, but it does not help. It needs to be gone.

According to Apple in IOS 26.01

On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app, then scroll down so you can tap on Display & Brightness. Now tap on Liquid Glass.

That opens a screen that lets you choose from Clear or Tinted. Choose the second option to nerf Liquid Glass. As Apple says, “Clear is more transparent, revealing the content beneath. Tinted increases opacity and adds more contrast.” Hope this helps. I refuse to update to 26 due to liquid glass.

[Edited by Moderator]

Chilll wrote:

According to Apple in IOS 26.01

On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app, then scroll down so you can tap on Display & Brightness. Now tap on Liquid Glass.

That opens a screen that lets you choose from Clear or Tinted. Choose the second option to nerf Liquid Glass. As Apple says, “Clear is more transparent, revealing the content beneath. Tinted increases opacity and adds more contrast.” Hope this helps. I refuse to update to 26 due to liquid glass.

[Edited by Moderator]

It's usually a good idea to check the date of the post you respond to. You responded to a post asked in September and by now I'm sure the Author of this thread understands what you just suggested. And it's not in iOS 26.01 that this new setting was released. It was released in iOS 26.1.

lobsterghost1 wrote:

It's usually a good idea to check the date of the post you respond to. You responded to a post asked in September and by now I'm sure the Author of this thread understands what you just suggested. And it's not in iOS 26.01 that this new setting was released. It was released in iOS 26.1.

I really wish they'd make the default sort order one of the chronological options....

I put the background on my iphone 16 navy blue and this has helped the icons look clearer and more visible. Also enlarged the icons. I don't like the glass look at all, it's especially difficult for people with any kind of sight limitations. Apple needs to address this issue for people with disabilities and for anyone who wants a choice to set their screen to pre-glass state.

IdrisSeabright wrote:

lobsterghost1 wrote:

It's usually a good idea to check the date of the post you respond to. You responded to a post asked in September and by now I'm sure the Author of this thread understands what you just suggested. And it's not in iOS 26.01 that this new setting was released. It was released in iOS 26.1.

I really wish they'd make the default sort order one of the chronological options....

True, but since the post was directed to the Author's opening post, I think it would still be at the top of the thread, regardless of the sort order?