iOS 26 Beta 2 Enhances Apple’s Liquid Glass Interface
▼ Summary
– Apple released iOS 26 Beta 2, fixing readability issues in the Liquid Glass UI, particularly in the Control Center.
– The Liquid Glass design modernizes iOS with glass-inspired visuals, including light refraction and translucency effects.
– Early testers criticized the initial beta for poor readability, especially with the Control Center and notifications.
– Apple adjusted the Control Center’s background blur in Beta 2 to improve readability but further refinements are still needed.
– iOS 26 Beta 2 also introduced new features like iCloud sync for Journaling, Apple Wallet tracking, and an Apple Music Radio widget.
Apple’s latest iOS 26 beta update refines the controversial Liquid Glass interface, addressing early user concerns about readability while introducing several new features. The second beta release brings noticeable improvements to the visual design system, particularly in the Control Center, where transparency issues had drawn criticism from testers.
The Liquid Glass aesthetic, first unveiled at WWDC 2025, reimagines iOS with fluid, light-refracting elements inspired by glass. While the design aims for a modern, polished look, initial feedback highlighted practical challenges, especially when semi-transparent menus overlapped cluttered home screens. Early adopters struggled with distinguishing Control Center buttons from background icons, prompting Apple to tweak the blur effect in Beta 2 for better contrast.
Side-by-side comparisons shared by developers show a marked difference. The updated Control Center now features a heavier blur layer, effectively masking underlying app icons and improving button visibility. Notifications, another pain point in the first beta, also received subtle refinements, though some users argue further adjustments are needed for optimal legibility across different wallpapers.
Beyond interface fixes, iOS 26 Beta 2 introduces functional upgrades, including iCloud sync for the Journal app on iPad, Apple Wallet order tracking, and an Apple Music Radio widget. The App Store now displays accessibility details on product pages, a welcome addition for users with specific needs.
Despite these changes, the debate around Liquid Glass continues. Some testers advocate for deeper customization, suggesting adjustable transparency levels to accommodate personal preferences. Apple appears responsive to feedback, but with the official release months away, more refinements are likely. For now, Beta 2 demonstrates the company’s willingness to balance bold design choices with usability, a critical step before the fall rollout.
(Source: TechCrunch)
