How to disable liquid glass in iOS 26?

jammer2k wrote:

I really hate it also, mostly due to my vision this gives and effect of more blur than I already have naturaly. Apple, please consider not all of us are perfect vision 20 somethings.

Apple doesn't read here in this user-to-user forum for feedback or suggestions. You can, however, let them know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

I was able to turn it off by creating a new wallpaper profile and tapping on the clock. There was an option in the bottom to show as glass or solid. Pretty sure that’s what changed everything back. I’m glad I found it

doDadTJL wrote:

Why pin paid advertisements to this post? This doesn't answer the question. You're justifying your stance by providing release articles from paid sources. If it can not be changed state that along with relative information to the problem. I personally hate it, and don't think 3 articles stating otherwise is useful.

It's not possible for anyone to pin anything in this thread. The only thing that gets pinned is the "Top ranking reply." The articles that Mac Jim ID linked to are within the Terms of Use.

As far as the question goes, it has been repeatedly answered. Pretending it has been because you don't like that answer will not change anything.

You cannot disable Liquid Glass. You can, however, let Apple know what you think of that. It's surely a better use of everyone's time than criticizing the way other volunteers answer.

Product Feedback - Apple

George_Lampropoulos wrote:

It is horrific indeed ... maybe they will bring an option to go back to the previous theme upon next iOS release.

Have you told Apple of your horror and distress?

Product Feedback - Apple

AaronLea wrote:

There is a fundamental problem with Liquid Glass that goes beyond “people don’t like change”. It’s a total failure of UX accessibility and ADA compliance. It’s born out of privilege. As a designer who also is embedded in assisting the atypical community in my spare time, I assure you, many people are not liking the change do to cognitive issues and not because of its aesthetic.

Tell Apple:

Product Feedback - Apple

Encourage all of these other folks you presume to speak for to do the same.

Bluestar725 wrote:

All material to disable Liquid Glass only minimizes it, not completely disables it. I need a solution to disable the feature as I am visually impaired and the Liquid Glass effect is making it impossible to read on my Iphone. Please help make this an optional feature.

As has been pointed out repeatedly in this thread, you cannot disable or remove the feature. You can only ameliorate it using the settings in Accessibility that have already been outlined.

No one here in the user-to-user forum can change anything. You can, however, let Apple know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Apparently, in 26.0.1, the setting is now Accessibility > Display > Reduce transparency.

You'll see it there amongst a bewildering list of new setting options that no one asked. Who adjusts the Display contrast? This is a bad April Fools Day joke waiting to happen. I see a few dozen trips to the Genius Bar for people who are wondering why their monitor is messed up.

margit85 wrote:

Just updated my devices and I find the transparency makes reading and writing very difficult. I have done all of the suggested help options but just want my old settings back.

Without knowing what "all of the suggested help options" are you've tried, see if this helps you --> Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community

stee1969 wrote:

I reduced the transparency of Glass on my phone, but it didn’t change much. I still can’t read the clock on my Lock screen unless I squint - and I have pretty decent vision.

Did you try changing the numerals on the locksreen from glass to solid? Did you try changing the color so that it shows up better against that background?

Create a custom iPhone Lock Screen - Apple Support

As a former a product design manager and art director, I can’t believe Apple's flagrant disregard for accessibility with iOS 26. My designers would never have submitted something like this, they paid close attention to little things like usability.

You can share your wisdom with Apple here:

Product Feedback - Apple

pocketpenguin04 wrote:

Agree, I can’t read any of my notifications with the liquid glass effect! Not sure why I would want a non-optional feature that makes basic functions of my phone unusable. Really appreciate all the suggestions to help people make this at least a little better.

Update your iPhone to iOS 26.1, which was released 2 days ago, then read this link and you'll see how you can change how your notifications are displayed --> Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community

Emi055 wrote:

I agree. I hate the glass and want it gone now. It’s so difficult for me to even see the time because I’m half blind.

please Apple, take the glass away! I’m so serious that I would consider an android at this point,

Apple doesn't read here in this user-to-user forum for feedback or suggestions. You can, however, let them know your thoughts here:

Product Feedback - Apple

Hi everyone,

I’ve been struggling with severe eye strain on iPadOS 26 just like many of you. I posted on different forums, tried every suggestion, and almost gave up on my device — until I finally found a fix that completely solved the issue for me. It worked 100% on my iPad Air, and I hope it helps you too.

Here is the exact 3-step method that fixed the Liquid Glass / UI discomfort / eye strain problem:

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.

This instantly removes the harsh glare and restores a stable, comfortable screen appearance.

✅ Result

After these steps:

Eye strain disappeared

Text readability improved

UI glare and shimmer were gone

The screen felt like pre-iPadOS-26 again

I hope this helps some of you as much as it helped me.

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

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.

There is no way to completely disable the Liquid Glass effect in iOS 26, but you can reduce its impact by going to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and turning on Reduce Transparency. This will make the interface less transparent, but it won't remove the effect entirely.

Breathe20 wrote:

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.

Did you read this and try the settings changes which are available to you --> Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community

Otherwise, telling only other users what you think Apple needs to address, will not be noticed by anyone at Apple from posting on this user to user only forum. But you can tell Apple what you think they need to do here --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple