iPhone 17 and iPhone Air purchasers will have the opportunity to utilize the new operating system immediately upon unboxing. Some will be already acquainted with the iOS 26 experience, particularly the new Liquid Glass design that Apple presented in June at WWDC 2025, having tested iOS 26 beta versions on their earlier iPhones. Others will encounter iOS 26 for the first time with the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air models.
Additionally, current iPhone users who do not intend to upgrade their devices and who haven’t installed the beta will experience iOS 26 for the first time this week, as Apple will release the final iOS 26 version for download on Monday.
Those iPhone users who have engaged with iOS 26 beta versions throughout the summer have likely acclimated to the new features that the operating system presents and may recognize what is detailed below. However, those experiencing iOS 26 for the first time this week may wish to enhance their experience by adjusting certain settings and familiarizing themselves with a few new features in iOS 26.
The Liquid Glass design stands out as one of the most divisive aspects of iOS 26. Apple has been experimenting with different levels of transparency in Liquid Glass over the summer. If you find the default view to be overly transparent, there’s an option to adjust it. Navigate to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size > Reduce Transparency and activate the toggle. The Differentiate Without Color option may also assist in enhancing readability. iPhone users who prefer a more see-through appearance can set up clear (fully transparent) icons for all applications by long-pressing the wallpaper, followed by tapping Edit > Customize > Clear.
