Apple Responds to Liquid Glass Control Center Complaints
▼ Summary
– The second iOS 26 developer beta fixes readability issues in Control Center by making it more opaque compared to the first beta.
– The first beta’s glassy design made Control Center cluttered by showing too much of the underlying content.
– Some color bleed issues remain in the second beta, but Apple appears to be improving the feature overall.
– The beta also introduces a new ringtone, an alternate version of the Reflections song, described as reminiscent of an Ace Attorney game.
– A public beta for iOS 26 will launch next month, while a guide is available for those wanting to try the current developer beta.
Apple has addressed early concerns about readability issues in the Control Center interface introduced with the iOS 26 developer beta. The second beta release significantly improves visibility by making the background more opaque, resolving complaints about text and icons becoming difficult to distinguish.
Initial feedback from testers highlighted how the original translucent “liquid glass” design allowed underlying app icons and wallpapers to show through, creating visual clutter. The updated version now provides better contrast, though some color bleed-through remains noticeable around certain interface elements.
A side-by-side comparison reveals the clear improvements in legibility between the first and second beta versions. While minor inconsistencies persist, the changes demonstrate Apple’s responsiveness to user experience feedback during development. The company appears committed to refining the design before the official public release expected this fall.
Alongside these visual adjustments, the latest beta introduces new audio features including an alternate version of the Reflections ringtone. Early adopters describe the updated sound as having a distinctive character reminiscent of courtroom drama soundtracks.
For those interested in testing these changes, developer beta installations remain available through Apple’s program. A more stable public beta version will open next month for users who prefer waiting for polished preview builds. The iterative improvements suggest Apple is carefully balancing aesthetic innovation with practical functionality in its upcoming iOS update.
(Source: The Verge)
