Apple is unifying its operating systems in 2025 with the introduction of “Liquid Glass,” a design language featuring translucent UI elements for icons, toolbars, and menus. According to PCMag, the design mimics looking through glass, though it has drawn criticism for obscuring controls and causing motion sickness in dark mode for some users.
How to Adjust Liquid Glass Transparency in iOS 27 and macOS 27
Apple introduced a precision slider in the iOS 27 and iPadOS 27 public betas to let users fine-tune the Liquid Glass effect. According to PCMag, users can find this by navigating to Settings > Appearance > Liquid Glass. Moving the slider to the left increases clarity, while moving it to the right increases the tint.
Mac users running the macOS 27 “Golden Gate” beta have access to a similar tool. PCMag reports this slider is located under System Settings > Appearance in the Liquid Glass section.
Pro Tip: If you aren’t on the beta, look for the “Clear” and “Tinted” presets in iOS 26.1 and macOS 26.1. The “Tinted” option is specifically recommended by PCMag for users who need higher contrast.
Accessibility Settings to Reduce Visual Strain
For users who find the translucent effects distracting or physically uncomfortable, Apple provides several accessibility overrides. PCMag notes that enabling Reduce Transparency replaces the glass look with an opaque finish across iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
- iPhone/iPad: Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Reduce Transparency.
- Mac: System Settings > Accessibility > Display > Reduce Transparency.
- Apple Watch: Watch app (iPhone) > My Watch > Accessibility > Reduce Transparency, or directly in the watch’s Settings.
Additionally, iOS 26.4 introduced a Reduce Bright Effects toggle under Accessibility to tone down the lighting of the redesign. PCMag also highlights that the Reduce Motion setting now incorporates Liquid Glass effects to further minimize visual noise.
Optimizing the Home Screen for Readability
The Liquid Glass aesthetic interacts directly with the Home screen customization tools introduced in iOS 18. PCMag explains that users can modify the color and lighting of widgets and icons by long-pressing an open area of the screen and selecting Edit > Customize.
Users can choose between a “Clear” look, which removes color while keeping the glass effect, or a “Tinted” look. The Tinted mode provides two specific sliders: one for changing the hue and another for adjusting the lightness of the tint. According to PCMag, users can even sample colors directly from their wallpaper.
Did you know? Increasing icon size via the Customize menu makes folders easier to see but removes the text labels from the Home screen.
Comparing Liquid Glass Versions
The transition from the initial release to the 2025 beta versions shows a shift toward user-defined control. As reported by PCMag, the early versions relied on binary choices, while the newer betas offer granular control.
| Feature | iOS 26.1 / macOS 26.1 | iOS 27 / macOS 27 Beta |
|---|---|---|
| Control Method | Preset Toggles | Adjustment Slider |
| Options | Clear or Tinted | Ultra-clear to Fully Tinted |
The Role of Dark Mode
PCMag suggests that Dark Mode can help hide some of the more polarizing aspects of the Liquid Glass design. By navigating to Settings > Display & Brightness and selecting Dark, the translucent elements become less prominent. However, this is not a universal fix, as some users report experiencing motion sickness when using the theme in this mode.
Liquid Glass FAQ
Can I completely disable Liquid Glass?
No. According to PCMag, you cannot disable the design entirely, but you can modify it using sliders or the “Reduce Transparency” accessibility setting.
Where is the Liquid Glass slider located in iOS 27?
It is found under Settings > Appearance > Liquid Glass.
Does Liquid Glass affect the Apple Watch?
Yes. The effect is visible in the Control Center and Notification panels, though it can be mitigated via the Reduce Transparency setting in the Watch app.
What is the difference between Clear and Tinted styles?
The Clear style is more transparent, while the Tinted style is more opaque and provides better contrast for visibility.
What do you think of the Liquid Glass look? Does the transparency help or hinder your workflow? Let us know in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for more Apple customization guides.
Related reading