iOS 26.1 Beta 4 adds a ‘Tinted’ Liquid Glass option — plus Camera and Clock tweaks
Apple’s latest iOS 26.1 Beta 4 introduces a new appearance toggle for the system’s Liquid Glass design. The “Tinted” setting increases opacity and contrast, helping interface elements stand out more clearly against wallpapers and app backgrounds. Apple says the option was added after tester feedback requesting a less transparent look.
You can find the control under Settings > Display & Brightness on iPhone and iPad. A similar appearance option is also visible on current macOS betas under System Settings > Appearance. The change affects multiple areas of the UI, including apps that adopt Liquid Glass materials and lock screen notifications.
- Liquid Glass appearance: New Clear vs. Tinted toggle for higher opacity/contrast.
- Camera: A new swipe behavior toggle for quicker access customization.
- Clock: Slide to stop gesture for alarms and timers.
- UI updates: Settings refinements and a refreshed Apple TV app icon.
- Apple Intelligence: Additional languages available in the latest beta.
Why it matters: It’s relatively rare for Apple to expose a design-level choice like this, suggesting the company is iterating on Liquid Glass in response to real-world usability concerns (readability, contrast sensitivity) and accessibility needs. The Tinted option may improve day-to-day clarity without abandoning the new aesthetic.
Learn more and references:
Engadget coverage: iOS 26.1 Beta 4 UI changes ·
MacRumors report on the Tinted toggle ·
Apple Beta Software Program
Note: Features described are in beta and may change before the final iOS 26.1 release. Availability of related toggles may vary across regions and devices.
Discussion: Do you prefer the cleaner look of Clear, or is the higher-contrast Tinted option a must for everyday readability?