Users can customize the Liquid Glass aesthetic for better readability by utilizing several settings and options provided primarily through the Accessibility features in iOS 26 and related Apple platforms.
A key setting to enhance readability is the "Reduce Transparency" option found in the Accessibility section under Display & Text Size. Turning this on removes much of the translucent, frosted-glass effect of Liquid Glass, replacing it with darker and more opaque backgrounds behind elements like Control Center, app icons, folders, and toolbars. This significantly improves contrast and text visibility without completely abandoning the Liquid Glass design language, retaining button shapes and dynamic effects. Users can toggle this setting from the Settings app > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Reduce Transparency. For quicker access, this can also be added to the Accessibility Shortcuts for instant toggling from the Control Center interface. This method is an effective way to tone down the vivid translucency while maintaining a clean interface aesthetic.
Another important adjustment is the "Increase Contrast" feature, which users can find alongside Reduce Transparency. Enabling Increase Contrast adds outlines around buttons and user interface elements, making them stand out more distinctly against varying backgrounds. This enhancement makes interactive elements easier to spot without completely removing the frosted or translucent feel of Liquid Glass. It strikes a balance between maintaining a stylish look and improving functional clarity.
On the lock screen and home screen, users can customize the Liquid Glass look further. By pressing and holding the lock screen, then tapping "Customize," they can alter components such as clock font, hue, and transparency using options like 'Clear' for maximum Liquid Glass aesthetics or 'Solid' for enhanced visibility. Widgets can be positioned either at the top or bottom of the screen depending on what complements the wallpaper and increases readability. The lock screen also allows toggling wallpaper dimming to make icons and text pop against the translucent overlay.
Using the color picker (eyedropper tool) to select colors that harmonize with the wallpaper but offer sufficient contrast also improves readability. Adjusting the tint slider to find an optimal shade can prevent the glass effect from causing text to blend into the background. This careful color balancing helps maintain the sophisticated look of Liquid Glass while achieving practical legibility.
The overarching issue with Liquid Glass originates from its transparency and dynamic luminosity, which can cause text and controls to blend into busy or bright backgrounds, resulting in poor contrast and readability problems. Design critics and users have reported strain, difficulty reading notifications, and even neurological discomfort due to shifting and reactive lensing effects. Themes that dynamically change background contrast based on environment or content sometimes fail to maintain accessible contrast ratios, thus necessitating user customization.
To compensate for the floating, translucent overlay that may reduce the legibility of text, users can also add dedicated background layers under certain UI elements (like tab bars or menus) to ensure a consistent contrast. This approach is generally implemented through app-specific settings or by system-level options such as the discussed Accessibility features, rather than manual user input.
In summary, the following methods empower users to customize Liquid Glass for better readability:
- Turning on Reduce Transparency to reduce or remove frosted translucent effects and add darker opaque backgrounds to improve contrast.
- Enabling Increase Contrast to add outlines and enhance visibility of UI buttons and elements while retaining some frosted glass styling.
- Customizing lock screen elements and widgets for optimal placement, transparency level (clear or solid), and color coordination to maintain legibility over dynamic wallpapers.
- Using color pickers and tint adjustments to balance Liquid Glass hues and prevent text from blending into backgrounds.
- Adding background layers behind text-heavy UI components to secure minimum contrast ratios and avoid readability issues caused by dynamic translucency.
- Utilizing Accessibility Shortcuts for fast toggling between different Liquid Glass modes to adapt readability based on user needs or lighting conditions.