The evolution of iOS has sparked a fascinating debate among users, with Apple's Liquid Glass design overhaul in 2025 dividing opinions. Personally, I find it intriguing how a simple visual change can evoke such strong reactions. What makes this particularly fascinating is the psychological aspect; our emotional response to design choices can be so powerful.
For those who prefer the classic iOS look, there are ways to strip away the Liquid Glass clutter and restore a more familiar aesthetic. Here's a guide to help you navigate these customization options.
Reducing Transparency
One of the most noticeable aspects of Liquid Glass is its transparency effect. To tone this down on your iPhone or iPad, head to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and enable Reduce Transparency. This simple change replaces the translucent look with a more opaque one, making menu items and controls easier to see.
On a Mac, the process is similar. Go to System Settings > Accessibility > Display and turn on the Reduce Transparency switch. You'll instantly notice a difference in the transparency levels of icons, folders, and other interface elements.
For Apple Watch users, the path is slightly different. Open the Watch app on your iPhone, navigate to My Watch > Accessibility > Reduce Transparency, or do it directly on the watch via Settings > Accessibility. The before-and-after comparison on the watch screen is quite striking, especially in the Notification panels and Control Center.
Embracing Dark Mode
I've found that Liquid Glass looks more appealing in dark mode. This design choice effectively hides some of the new elements, creating a more cohesive and visually pleasing experience. To enable dark mode on your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Display & Brightness and select Dark. On a Mac, the process is similar: System Settings > Appearance > Dark.
Customizing Liquid Glass
With iOS 26.1, Apple introduced greater control over the Liquid Glass design. You can now choose between Clear (more transparent) and Tinted (more opaque) options in Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass. The Tinted option provides more contrast and is recommended for improved readability. Pairing it with Dark Mode can further enhance the visual experience.
Reducing Bright Effects
As of iOS 26.4, users can tone down the lighting effects that accompany the Liquid Glass redesign. Head to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and enable Reduce Brightness. This subtle change might make the overall theme more tolerable for those who find the bright effects overwhelming.
Customizing the Home Screen
Thanks to the Home screen customization options introduced in iOS 18, users can make adjustments to the color and lighting of icons and widgets. This can significantly improve readability and create a more personalized experience. To access these options, press down on an open area of the Home screen, tap Edit, and then select Customize. From there, you can experiment with light and dark modes, icon and folder sizes, and even specific color adjustments to find the perfect balance.
In conclusion, while Liquid Glass may not be to everyone's taste, Apple has provided a range of customization options to cater to different preferences. It's an interesting example of how design choices can impact user experience and how users can take control to create a more personalized interface. From my perspective, it's a fascinating insight into the interplay between technology and human psychology.
