Lack of Contrast on Messages screen

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Level 2

198 points

Lack of Contrast on Messages screen

Trying IOS26 for a few days, but the biggest impact so far is Messages- the very thin font used, and the grey area background, produces an indistinct contrast that means auto type corrections can't be clearly read.

Partly the problem is created by the stark white background surrounding as the page, which then produces a glare effect when the skinny font disappears into the too dark grey background...

I don't see any adjustment possible within the Messages app settings?

d

iPhone SE, iOS 26

Posted on Sep 20, 2025 2:53 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Zachyy

Level 6

17,201 points

Sep 20, 2025 2:56 PM in response to rhone1

There are no specific settings to change within Messages, but you can tone down the Liquid Glass effect in Settings > Accessibility > Display and Text Size > Reduce Transparency and see if that helps. You can also submit feedback to Apple below. Feedback - iPhone - Apple

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Answer 2

Sep 20, 2025 3:02 PM in response to rhone1

You can go to Accessibility settings and change the font size or turn bold on, but that will change things system wide.

To be honest, I compared my phone (26) to my wife’s (still on 18). There’s no difference.

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Answer 3

Oct 27, 2025 7:17 PM in response to rhone1

That's exactly my problem. The only way my 74 year old eyes can read the white on light green (!!!) is by changing text to bold. (Increasing contrast is a no-go: gives me black on dark grey for message entry and text suggestions)

It hurts because I'd seen the issues with IOS 26 and planned not to upgrade.

[Edited by Moderator]

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Answer 4

rhone1 Author

Level 2

198 points

Sep 20, 2025 4:13 PM in response to Kilgore-Trout

hi

Ok you got me.

I was doing just that, comparing old screenshots with the new incarnation.

In that regard you are right, but in my real time view, it still looks thinner- I've reset to normal for now, see how it goes.

Thanks

d

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Answer 5

rhone1 Author

Level 2

198 points

Sep 20, 2025 3:43 PM in response to Zachyy

Sure thanks,

However that also affects the bubbles that then get a lighter green, with white text, being almost as hard to read. The stark white page background imparts the glare...

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