### iOS 26.1 Beta 4 Brings Enhanced Liquid Glass Design Choices
The recent updates to Apple’s operating systems have resulted in noteworthy alterations to the user interface, especially with the rollout of the Liquid Glass design in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26. This fresh design prioritizes transparency and fluidity, enriching the visual experience across all devices. Nonetheless, user feedback has led Apple to implement a new feature in the iOS 26.1 beta 4 that permits users to modify the look of Liquid Glass.
#### Customization Features
The iOS 26.1 beta 4, along with its versions for iPad and Mac, now features a setting that allows users to select between a more transparent “Clear” appearance and a “Tinted” variation that heightens opacity and contrast. This option can be found in the Settings app on iPhone and iPad under the Display & Brightness menu, while Mac users can locate it within the Appearance menu in System Settings.
Apple categorizes the two options as follows:
– **Clear**: This selection preserves the original clarity of Liquid Glass, enabling users to view the underlying content.
– **Tinted**: This choice boosts opacity, offering a more defined contrast against the background.
#### Device-Wide Implementation
The new Liquid Glass setting is binary, meaning users can pick only one of the two choices without any intermediate modifications. Activating the Tinted option impacts not only Apple’s native applications but also third-party apps that leverage the Liquid Glass design. This guarantees a uniform look across the user’s experience on their iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
Moreover, the Tinted option improves the readability of notifications on the Lock Screen for iPhone and iPad users, facilitating easier access to alerts and messages.
#### User Input and Upcoming Updates
Apple’s choice to introduce this feature is a response to user demands during the beta testing phase of iOS 26. A number of users indicated a wish for greater control over the opacity of the Liquid Glass design. The introduction of this setting seeks to deliver a more customized experience, enabling users to adjust the interface according to their tastes.
The iOS 26.1 beta 4, along with iPadOS 26.1 beta 4 and macOS 26.1 beta 4, is now available to developers, with a public beta anticipated to be launched soon.
#### Final Thoughts
The Liquid Glass design has seen considerable development since its debut, with Apple persistently enhancing the user experience based on input. The new customization features in iOS 26.1 beta 4 mark a move towards enhanced personalization, allowing users to select the aesthetic that aligns best with their preferences. As Apple continues to evolve, users can anticipate further improvements that emphasize both usability and visual allure.
