Apple to Address User Complaints with iOS 26.1 Update
Apple is preparing to release iOS 26.1, which will include a toggle allowing users to reduce the “Liquid Glass” visual effect introduced earlier this year, potentially resolving widespread complaints about readability and performance.
The update, expected as early as Monday, comes after significant user feedback regarding the new design unveiled at WWDC 2025. Many reported issues with legibility and lag caused by the animations inherent in Liquid Glass. Apple previously attempted to address concerns by introducing a tinted setting within the fourth beta of iOS 26.1. This change is significant as Apple rarely makes such rapid adjustments to core interface elements based on initial user reaction.
Beyond the toggle, iOS 26.1 will also feature an updated Apple TV icon and various bug fixes, aiming for a more stable user experience. The company has indicated the update will be “more reliable, with fewer bugs.” Users interested in a deeper dive into Apple’s software ecosystem can find more information on Apple’s official iOS page. For those seeking troubleshooting assistance, the Apple Support website offers comprehensive resources.
Following the release of iOS 26.1, developers can expect the first beta version of iOS 26.2 to arrive on Tuesday, with corresponding updates for macOS 26.1 and watchOS 26.2 anticipated to follow shortly.
All the complaining about the Liquid Glass redesign may have amounted to some real change, since Apple could be offering a compromise with its forthcoming iOS update. According to Bloomberg‘s Mark Gurman, Apple is getting ready to release iOS 26.1, which will have a toggle to reduce the Liquid Glass effect. Gurman said the iOS 26.1 update could roll out to users as early as Monday, while the first beta version of iOS 26.2 should arrive for developers the day after.
Liquid Glass was introduced at WWDC 2025 as Apple’s next big visual overhaul. It didn’t take long for users to test it out and offer up criticisms about the readability and lag caused by the animations. To address these grievances, Apple introduced an option to apply a tinted setting to its transparent redesign in iOS 26.1’s fourth beta.
While the upcoming iOS update won’t introduce anything groundbreaking, Gurman said that the latest update will be “more reliable, with fewer bugs.” Besides the toggle option, iOS 26.1 will have an updated Apple TV icon and other bug fixes, according to Gurman. Looking ahead, Apple is likely to follow the same update pattern as usual, meaning macOS 26.1 and the first beta of watchOS 26.2 should follow.
