iOS 26.1 could arrive this week with a toggle to reduce the Liquid Glass effect

Apple appears to be preparing iOS 26.1 with a new option to tone down the controversial “Liquid Glass” visual redesign. The update is expected to roll out as early as Monday, with a developer beta for iOS 26.2 following shortly after. The change aims to address users’ concerns about readability and animation lag.

Liquid Glass, unveiled at WWDC 2025, introduced a translucent, animated UI that some users criticized for making text harder to read and adding noticeable motion. In response, Apple has added a toggle (already present in the iOS 26.1 fourth beta) that reduces the effect by applying a tinted setting, improving legibility while keeping the visual style.

What to expect in iOS 26.1

• Liquid Glass toggle: An option to reduce transparency/animation for better readability.
• Stability fixes: Gurman reports the update will include bug fixes and reliability improvements.
• Small UI tweaks: An updated Apple TV icon and other minor polish changes.
• Follow-up betas: macOS 26.1 and watchOS 26.2 betas are likely to follow Apple’s usual update cadence.

Apple’s move shows a willingness to iterate on a high‑profile design change after user feedback. The toggle gives power users an easy way to customize the interface experience without rolling back the overhaul entirely.

Should you install iOS 26.1?

If you found Liquid Glass visually distracting or experienced lag, the new toggle could make a noticeable difference. As with any iOS release, wait a few days for early reports if you rely on specific apps for work; otherwise, the update looks to be mainly polish and quality‑of‑life improvements.

For background reporting on the update timeline and details, see the coverage from major outlets (opens in a new tab): Bloomberg.

Discussion: Will you use the Liquid Glass toggle when iOS 26.1 arrives — or do you prefer the new aesthetic as is?