Is there a way to completely disable the liquid glass functionality on iOS 26? I'm not going to get into a lengthy diatribe over why it's awful, I just want it gone.
iPhone 13 Pro Max, iOS 18
There is no way to completely disable the Liquid Glass effect in iOS 26, but you can reduce its impact by going to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and turning on Reduce Transparency. This will make the interface less transparent, but it won't remove the effect entirely.
margit85 wrote:
just want my old settings back.
That is not an option.
You can let Apple know your thoughts here:
Reduce transparency in settings !
How do you disable Liquid Glass?
Buy a Samsung Galaxy.
iOS 26 is one of the worst updates ever for UI.
“release needs to have a way to turn off liquid glass.”
it is not a skin you can turn off or change, it is written into the iOS
You had 5 weeks to test it out in public beta. Missed your chance. Maybe next time.
Reduce motion, unfortunately, does nothing to eliminate the app open effects where the corners are rounded as it opens and then kind of “flicker” into place. It is awful for those of us that really can’t abide visual distractions. I think I’m going to revert to iOS 18.7 pending some interface cleanup in iOS 26. iPhone SE 2020.
I, too, dislike the forced dark mode on the lock screen. Why anyone would want it to be difficult to read the time on a quick press of the lock button to wake is beyond me. Thankfully, you can at least customize the lock screen and toggle the time display to solid (turn off glass), at least.
Dear Apple, my phone is a tool, not an object de art. Need unobtrusive, not “in my face” design.
I upgraded to the first developer beta of iOS26 and hated the glass theme.
It is 100% doable and quite simple to go back to iOS 18 if you have a Mac and cable capable of data transfer (not just a cheap charger cable). I know this because I did it.
Note: doing it will install a fresh version of IOS18 as the backup created will be an IOS26 back and won’t work so you’ll lose any existing data. But it’s definitely doable.
Totatora wrote:
I upgraded to the first developer beta of iOS26 and hated the glass theme.
It is 100% doable and quite simple to go back to iOS 18 if you have a Mac and cable capable of data transfer (not just a cheap charger cable). I know this because I did it.
Note: doing it will install a fresh version of IOS18 as the backup created will be an IOS26 back and won’t work so you’ll lose any existing data. But it’s definitely doable.
It's NOT doable if someone installed iOS 26 last week when it was officially released.
Liquid glass makes me dizzy and sick to my stomach. This will definitely help reduce me using my iPhone.
The only thing that slightly helps is changing the background to a solid color.
How do we request a change from apple? Don’t want a product that makes me physically sick.
You can change your Home Screen background to black - which is better for making app logos clearer anyway. You can also adjust Liquid Glass by pressing on Home Screen until apps jiggle, and then clicking edit in top left corner to change transparency and colours. I’ve used it for 5 days now and like all changes in life, you get used to it quite quickly. I like it now.
Please don’t change to Android - you’ll seriously regret the lack of general security and miss the Apple OS ecosystem.
"It's NOT doable if someone installed iOS 26 last week when it was officially released. "
Au contraire, I also reverted to 18.7. It was a bit of a chore, but I'm back to no visual distractions. Unfortunately, it now appears that Apple is no longer signing 18.6.2, so we can no longer revert. I guess I just made it under the wire.
Jaxfox2 wrote:
This Liquid Glass feature makes me consider going back to Android
OK. Not that it matters to anyone on this user to user only forum, you should definitely buy what you think suits your needs best. If you thought Apple would see your comment and it would make them rethink Liquid Glass, they won't see it, nor would they be too concerned about what you choose to buy.
My Settings for Liquid Glass are Transparency and Contrast off and Reduce Motion ON and this is how my Home Screen looks, which I find hard to believe is causing so much consternation. In fact, it's to me, the coolest looking home screen I've ever had and I actually LOVE it:
jammer2k wrote:
I really hate it also, mostly due to my vision this gives and effect of more blur than I already have naturaly. Apple, please consider not all of us are perfect vision 20 somethings.
Apple doesn't read here in this user-to-user forum for feedback or suggestions. You can, however, let them know your thoughts here:
I was able to turn it off by creating a new wallpaper profile and tapping on the clock. There was an option in the bottom to show as glass or solid. Pretty sure that’s what changed everything back. I’m glad I found it
George_Lampropoulos wrote:
It is horrific indeed ... maybe they will bring an option to go back to the previous theme upon next iOS release.
Have you told Apple of your horror and distress?
How to disable liquid glass in iOS 26?
