Apple is releasing another tool to reduce Liquid Glass transparency with the release of iOS 26.2, which is available now. The update allows 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, after complaints from users that the changes made their iPhone or other Apple device too difficult to read.
The new design language for Apple devices, launched with iOS 26, makes various interface elements such as buttons, sliders and notifications semi-transparent. The elements also refract light, giving them the optical properties of glass.
Intended to modernize Apple’s operating systems and possibly prepare them for a world where the operating system transitions to AI smartglasses, Liquid Glass received mixed reviews. Some found that the transparency made their device difficult to use, as it became difficult to read important items such as notifications or the artist name in Apple Music. In response to user complaints, Apple released a Liquid Glass tool in iOS 26.1 that allows users to give their interface a more ‘matte’ look again if desired.
With the clock ‘glassiness’ slider, Apple is once again dialing back the transparency of the Liquid Glass update, but in the form of another user-controlled customization feature, rather than a global change.
These changes are notable because they show that Apple may not be 100% behind the design overhaul as being perfect as it is.
The timing of the change is also worth mentioning. Earlier this month, Apple confirmed that the design manager behind the Liquid Glass makeover, Alan Dye, would be leaving the company for Meta. Although it didn’t appear that Dye was pushed out, Apple replaced him with longtime Apple designer Stephen Lemay.
Unlike Dye, Lemay’s career was spent in interface and interaction design – a skill set that is necessary when it comes to repairing Liquid Glass, it could be argued.
iOS 26.2 brought even more new features in addition to the latest Liquid Glass tweak.
As in the beta versions, users can now create AirDrop codes to share with people not in their contacts, allowing them to become a “known” AirDrop contact for 30 days. The feature can make sense at work or in 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 gets a Following tab at the bottom of the navigation bar, along with other navigation changes; Apple Music adds offline lyrics; and the Podcasts app adds AI-generated chapters for podcast episodes, a Podcast Mention feature to link to other shows, and other changes.
Apple Watch owners now also get a sleep score based on how well they slept and whether they met their sleep goals.
Apple also released several major security updates Friday for its flagship products, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TVs and Apple Watches, to patch vulnerabilities used in an active hacking campaign.
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