Apple’s iOS 26.1 update introduces a “Tinted” Liquid Glass mode, swipe-based alarms, smarter Apple Music navigation, background security updates, and customizable camera shortcuts, emphasising personalisation and accessibility.
Apple has officially rolled out iOS 26.1, letting users tone down Liquid Glass.
The Liquid Glass interface, introduced in iOS 26, divided opinion for its hyper-translucent aesthetic, and while some praised its futuristic look, others found it distracting and difficult to read, with reports of eye strain.
With iOS 26.1, Apple has introduced a “Tinted” mode for the feature, allowing users to reduce transparency and improve contrast.
The toggle, located under Settings – Display and Brightness – Liquid Glass, lets users choose between the default Clear mode and the new Tinted appearance.
Combined with existing accessibility options like “Increase Contrast,” users can now fine-tune the look of their iPhone’s interface for comfort.
Beyond the visual overhaul, Apple is also refining how users wake up.
The update changes the alarm system to require a swipe instead of a tap to turn it off – helping prevent sleepy users from silencing alarms too easily.
The snooze button remains a tap, creating a clearer, more deliberate distinction between the two actions.
Apple Music has also received a usability boost, as users can now swipe left or right on the MiniPlayer to skip between songs, improving one-handed navigation.
Security also sees a quiet upgrade, as a new toggle under Settings – Privacy and Security – Security Improvements allows automatic background security updates, providing small, behind-the-scenes fixes between major releases to better protect against new threats.
Finally, iOS 26.1 adds a Lock Screen Camera toggle, giving users the option to disable the left-swipe shortcut to prevent accidental launches – particularly useful for those with newer models featuring dedicated Camera Control buttons.
With iOS 26.1, Apple appears focused on polish, personalisation, and protection – addressing user feedback while continuing to refine its AI-enhanced design language.
Apple releases iOS 26.1, letting users tone down Liquid Glass
