can you undo the recent recent “glass” update? I am finding it impossible to work with and I wish I could just undo it and go back to the one right before this one. If I had known it was this bad, I wouldn’t ever have installed it. Now I don’t know what to do. I am trying to run a business with an “update” that is impossible to work with.
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Original Title: New update is impossible
iPad Pro, iPadOS 26
Rolling-back to an earlier version of iOS/iPadOS is not possible. All System Updates are digitally signed by Apple - and can only be installed whilst the digital signatures remain valid. After release of a new iOS/iPadOS version, the digital signatures of the preceding version are revoked within days, preventing reinstallation of the earlier version.
As mentioned by Mac Jim ID, iOS/iPadOS 26.1 introduced a new setting that subtly charges the appearance of Liquid Glass:
Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass - select Clear or Tinted
Sadly, for iPad, this new setting makes very little difference for those that struggle with both the appearance and overlapping screen elements introduced with Liquid Glass - an issue that is often not understood by those that don't have or regularly use an iPad. While iOS for iPhone and iPadOS for iPad are closely related, some features can have substantial differences in how they appear on related devices.
If you are experiencing difficulty with the new Liquid Glass UI, there are other settings that can significantly improve the appearance and suppress the majority of unwanted effects:
Each if these settings can be used individually, or in combination. Setting Reduce Transparency alone (1) will likely suppress the majority of your issues. The Reduce Motion setting (3), if used, will eliminate the "lensing" effects of the Liquid Glass UI. Experiment; you should find a combination that works for you.
I suggest that you begin with setting Reduce Transparency to ON - and then, if needed, experiment with additional use of one or more of the other options.
NB: The new Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass setting can only be changed/toggled while Reduce Transparency is set to OFF. You might find that setting Liquid Glass to Clear, prior to enabling Reduced Transparency to ON, may give the best result.
Liquid Glass is here to stay - and will likely evolve throughout the lifespan of iPadOS 26. Hopefully, Apple will provide additional controls with which to selectively eliminate some aspects of the new UI to better meet the functional and visual needs of the wider user population. Liquid Glass is very "pretty" - but for some is arguably form over function, reducing legibility and usability.
Rolling-back to an earlier version of iOS/iPadOS is not possible. All System Updates are digitally signed by Apple - and can only be installed whilst the digital signatures remain valid. After release of a new iOS/iPadOS version, the digital signatures of the preceding version are revoked within days, preventing reinstallation of the earlier version.
As mentioned by Mac Jim ID, iOS/iPadOS 26.1 introduced a new setting that subtly charges the appearance of Liquid Glass:
Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass - select Clear or Tinted
Sadly, for iPad, this new setting makes very little difference for those that struggle with both the appearance and overlapping screen elements introduced with Liquid Glass - an issue that is often not understood by those that don't have or regularly use an iPad. While iOS for iPhone and iPadOS for iPad are closely related, some features can have substantial differences in how they appear on related devices.
If you are experiencing difficulty with the new Liquid Glass UI, there are other settings that can significantly improve the appearance and suppress the majority of unwanted effects:
Each if these settings can be used individually, or in combination. Setting Reduce Transparency alone (1) will likely suppress the majority of your issues. The Reduce Motion setting (3), if used, will eliminate the "lensing" effects of the Liquid Glass UI. Experiment; you should find a combination that works for you.
I suggest that you begin with setting Reduce Transparency to ON - and then, if needed, experiment with additional use of one or more of the other options.
NB: The new Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass setting can only be changed/toggled while Reduce Transparency is set to OFF. You might find that setting Liquid Glass to Clear, prior to enabling Reduced Transparency to ON, may give the best result.
Liquid Glass is here to stay - and will likely evolve throughout the lifespan of iPadOS 26. Hopefully, Apple will provide additional controls with which to selectively eliminate some aspects of the new UI to better meet the functional and visual needs of the wider user population. Liquid Glass is very "pretty" - but for some is arguably form over function, reducing legibility and usability.
Lotkee wrote:
Everything about this Apple update has made navigating my phone way harder. Why change things like this?
please can Apple revert or do something where we can choose! I am almost tempted to change my phone to android!
Rolling-back to an earlier version of iOS/iPadOS is not possible.
All System Updates are digitally signed by Apple - and can only be installed whilst the digital signatures remain valid. After release of a new iOS/iPadOS version, the immediately preceding version continues to be digitally signed by Apple - however, usually within a few days, Apple will revoke the digital certificate with which the earlier version is signed.
Consider that iOS/iPadOS updates include both functional and essential security updates. Restoring an earlier version of the OS would undermine the security of your device and your personal data.
You should always choose a device and OS platform that best meets your needs, be it iOS or Android. At an individual level, your defection either way will be unnoticed by either manufacturer. Be aware that Android is reportedly moving to replicate much of the visual aspects introduced with iOS/iPadOS 26.
Apple invites submission of constructive comments and feature requests via its Product Feedback portal. If you would like to see changes in a future release of iOS/iPadOS, this would be the appropriate channel through which to submit a request:
Londasuefromnc wrote:
I don’t like the little bubbles that they now let you choose. I want to be able to have just 3 equal rectangular blocks in order to do the work that I do. It is much harder for me now. I would like to be able to revert back to the way it was before this mislabeled “upgrade”.
Presumably you refer to the iPad's new windowed-Apps mode.
iPadOS 26 has introduced new multitasking capabilities and controls - with, optionally, Apps appearing within their own windows instead of being full-screen or appearing in side-by-side split screen. To better understand the changes, I recommend that you start with the video introduction here - and then read the remaining explanations:
Multitask on iPad with iPadOS 26 - Apple Support
iPadOS multitasking has received a significant makeover from that to which you may be accustomed in iPadOS 18.x and earlier - and may take a little time to learn and adjust your workflows. You would be well advised to review the official iPadOS User Guide and the many available online tutorials (such as YouTube) to become better acquainted with the new multitasking interface and associated gestures and controls.
Work with multiple windows at once on iPad - Apple Support
The three-dot multitasking button with which you are no doubt familiar from earlier versions of iPadOS has been replaced with the traffic-light button to access and control the revised window-based User Interface.
Tapping the traffic-light multitasking button expands the control - whereas touch-and-hold of the button offers the option of arranging open windows side-by-side, as a tripple, or arranged into a quad.
If you dislike the windowed environment, you can switch to using the basic Full-Screen App mode - but this disables all multitasking capabilities and hide the traffic-light controls; you will not be able to use split screen or slide-over modes with which you are likely familiar:
Settings > Multitasking & Gestures - select Full Screen Apps
Apple invite submission of constructive comments and feature requests via its Product Feedback portal. If you would like Apple to reconsider recent changes, or alter the appearance or function of the multitasking controls, this would be the most appropriate and effective path to having your voice heard:
mloding wrote:
My screen size is reduced and I am unable to consistently use a full screen. I have an iPad so that the view is larger and this recent update has made it smaller. Also since the screen is not “full” the area around the exterior of the view is very distracting. We should be able to opt in or out for an update. Updates are recommended for SECURITY reasons, and ultimately we end up with features we don’t like.
I have been unhappy with several updates, however this is the first that has prompted me to voice a concern.
If you dislike the windowed environment, you can switch to using the basic Full-Screen App mode - but this disables all multitasking capabilities and hide the traffic-light controls; you will not be able to use split screen or slide-over modes with which you are likely familiar:
Settings > Multitasking & Gestures - select Full Screen Apps
Apple invite submission of constructive comments and feature requests via its Product Feedback portal. If you would like Apple to reconsider recent changes, or alter the appearance or function of the multitasking controls, this would be the most appropriate and effective path to having your voice heard:
Londasuefromnc wrote:
I am trying to arrange three apps open at the same time on the screen and use each app at the same time
You can have two or three App windows side-by-side - or a spit the screen into four quadrants.
To access, assuming that the current App window is not maximised; touch-and-hold the traffic-light icon at top-left of the App window to expose the Fill & Arrange options:
NB: If you update to iPadOS 26.1, you also have a Slide Over view from which to choose:
The current App window will move aside, allowing you to open another App; the selected view will open the selected Apps in their own windows - which can be resized laterally, as before, by dragging the divider to left or right.
If the App window is already maximised, swipe downwards from the top-edge of the screen to expose the new menu bar - then use the traffic-light icon as described above.
Remember, for iPadOS 26, you have a configuration choice to use Full Screen Apps only, use Windowed Apps, or Stage Manager mode as you prefer:
Settings > Multitasking & Gestures - select your preferred multitasking mode
Mrsklpw wrote:
Highly dislike the new Liquid Glass update but now I’m stuck
Apple please get rid of it
even changing settings makes it much harder to see
terrible new isn’t always better give me an option for this function
ON/OFF Button Liquid Glass
This is a user-to-user technical community. Contributors here are all end-users, just like you. Other than the site Moderators, Apple neither monitors nor participates within this Community. As such, your comments here will not be seen or acted upon by Apple.
Apple invites submission of constructive comments and feature requests via its Product Feedback portal. For iPad and iPadOS:
If you dislike Liquid Gless, within my first reply to this thread you will find suggested settings to effectively minimise its visual effects/impact.
If you are on iPad 26.1, you can go to Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass and select the "Tinted" option. This doesn't remove it completely, but does reduce the transparency of the elements.
Lotkee wrote:
Everything about this Apple update has made navigating my phone way harder. Why change things like this?
please can Apple revert or do something where we can choose! I am almost tempted to change my phone to android!
Thank you for replying with your concerns, KellyR1969. 😉
Here at the Apple Support Community, we are volunteers (thoughtful Apple users) who share knowledge in an effort to help others, such as yourself.
We don’t have the power to look into accounts, make changes, authorize repairs, offer discounts or change the operating system to fit your needs.
I wish you the best, but you need to provide ⇢ Product Feedback.
Thanks again for sharing your concerns with us.
All the best! 👋🏼😉
ALo1234 wrote:
About to go get an Android!
Some Cell providers are giving them away for free, check with yours. Also here is the Android Support forum that may be helpful in your research for what you may expect.
mloding wrote:
My screen size is reduced and I am unable to consistently use a full screen. I have an iPad so that the view is larger and this recent update has made it smaller. Also since the screen is not “full” the area around the exterior of the view is very distracting. We should be able to opt in or out for an update. Updates are recommended for SECURITY reasons, and ultimately we end up with features we don’t like.
I have been unhappy with several updates, however this is the first that has prompted me to voice a concern.
I suggest you read the thread you added to, especially the post from LotusPilot, posted on January 25 at 2:40 PM EST. It explains how to manage this new feature.
I am sorry to hear liquid glass is here to stay……. Sometimes developers do what they want without thinking of the users who ‘HAVE’ to adapt to their dreams. I do not like this new feature and prob never will
thinking about moving back to a reg dos laptop……. Horrible update 26.1
Highly dislike the new Liquid Glass update but now I’m stuck
Apple please get rid of it
even changing settings makes it much harder to see
terrible new isn’t always better give me an option for this function
ON/OFF Button Liquid Glass
Bronco77 wrote:
This new update has made my email unmanageable, I loved the previous versions that looked the same for years!
Are you using the native Apple Mail App - or some other App? While there have been some minor visual enhancements to the Mail App, its functionality is largely unchanged.
In what manner has your email become "unmanageable"?
KellyR1969 wrote:
agree with this! Worst update they have done so far
What’s really amusing is that after every one of the19 major updates and hundreds of “point” updates there are always a few posts that say "Worst update they have done so far"
How do I revert to the previous update?
