Apple is releasing another tool to reduce the transparency of liquid glass with the release of iOS 26.2, which is currently being released. The update will allow users to control the transparency of the lock screen clock. The release follows an update that introduced a slider to control the opacity of liquid glass elements through the operating system, following user complaints that the change made iPhones and other Apple devices difficult to read.
A new design language for Apple devices introduced in iOS 26 makes various interface elements like buttons, sliders, and notifications semi-transparent. These elements also refract light, giving the glass its optical properties.
Liquid Glass, intended to modernize Apple’s operating system and potentially prepare it for a world where operating systems transition to AI smart glasses, received mixed reviews. Some people found the transparency made the device difficult to use, making it difficult to read important items like notifications and Apple Music artist names. In response to user complaints, Apple released the Liquid Glass tool in iOS 26.1. This allows the user to return the interface to a more “cloudy” look if desired.
With the Watch’s “Glassiness” slider, Apple is once again rolling back the transparency of the Liquid Glass update, but in the form of another user-controlled customization feature rather than a global change.
These tweaks are notable because they signal that Apple may not be 100% behind the redesign as being perfect as is.
Also pay attention to the timing of the change. Earlier this month, Apple confirmed that Alan Dye, the head of design who led the company’s liquid glass innovation, would be leaving the company to join Meta. Although Dye didn’t appear to be forced out, Apple replaced him with longtime Apple designer Stephen Lemay.
Unlike Dye, Lemay’s career was spent in interface and interaction design. You could also argue that this skill set is necessary when it comes to liquid glass repair.
In addition to the latest liquid glass tweaks, iOS 26.2 brings other new features.
Similar to the beta, users will now be able to create an AirDrop code to share with someone who is not in their contacts, and that user will be able to become a “known” AirDrop contact for 30 days. This feature might make sense at work or other scenarios where you need to share files or photos with someone who isn’t saved in your contacts.
Reminders also supports alarms in iOS 26.2. Apple News now includes, among other navigation changes, the bottom navigation bar.[フォロー中]Added tabs. Apple Music adds offline lyrics. The Podcasts app adds AI-generated chapters for podcast episodes, a podcast mentions feature for linking to other shows, and other changes.
Apple Watch owners will also be able to get a sleep score based on their sleep quality and whether they met their sleep goals.
Apple also released several important security updates on Friday to patch vulnerabilities exploited in an active hacking campaign across its flagship products, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV and Apple Watch.
