Apple’s iOS 26.2 Adds Lock Screen Liquid Glass Rollback
▼ Summary
– Apple’s iOS 26.2 update introduces a user-controlled slider to adjust the transparency of the Lock Screen clock, part of the Liquid Glass design language.
– The Liquid Glass design, launched with iOS 26, makes interface elements semi-transparent and refracts light, but has faced criticism for reducing readability.
– These user-adjustable transparency tweaks suggest Apple is not fully standing behind the initial Liquid Glass design as perfect.
– The update’s timing follows the departure of Liquid Glass design lead Alan Dye, who was replaced by an interface design specialist.
– iOS 26.2 also includes other features like AirDrop codes, Reminders alarms, and important security patches across Apple’s product line.
Apple’s latest iOS 26.2 update introduces a new level of user control over the controversial Liquid Glass design language, specifically allowing adjustments to the Lock Screen clock’s transparency. This move follows user feedback that the semi-transparent aesthetic, while modern, sometimes compromised readability on iPhones and other Apple devices. The update provides another tool for personalization rather than a full-scale design reversal.
Introduced with iOS 26, the Liquid Glass interface transforms buttons, sliders, and notifications with a translucent, light-refracting effect. The design was envisioned to refresh Apple’s operating systems and potentially lay groundwork for future platforms like AI smart glasses. However, the reception was divided. Many users reported that the transparency made key information, like notifications or song details in Apple Music, unnecessarily difficult to see. In direct response, Apple’s prior iOS 26.1 update included a slider to dial back the transparency system-wide for a more opaque, “frosted” appearance.
Now, with iOS 26.2, Apple is extending that customization philosophy directly to the Lock Screen’s clock. Users can fine-tune its “glassiness” independently, offering granular control over this central element. These iterative adjustments signal that Apple is actively listening to user experience feedback and is willing to refine its ambitious visual overhaul post-launch.
The timing of these refinements is particularly interesting. It coincides with the recent departure of Alan Dye, the Apple design executive who spearheaded the Liquid Glass initiative, who left for Meta. His replacement is Stephen Lemay, a veteran Apple designer with a deep background in interface and interaction design, a skillset highly relevant to addressing the usability concerns that have arisen with Liquid Glass.
Beyond the design tweaks, iOS 26.2 rolls out several other features. A notable addition is the ability to create AirDrop codes, which can be shared with people outside a user’s contacts to establish a temporary “known” connection for 30 days. This is ideal for professional settings or situations where frequent file sharing with new acquaintances is necessary.
The update also enhances several core apps. The Reminders app now supports alarms, and Apple News receives a redesigned navigation bar with a dedicated “Following” tab. Apple Music adds offline lyrics support, while the Podcasts app gains AI-generated episode chapters and a “Podcast Mention” feature for linking to other shows. Apple Watch users will benefit from a new Sleep Score, which evaluates sleep quality and goal achievement.
Separately, Apple has issued critical security updates across its product line, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TVs, and Apple Watches. These patches address vulnerabilities that were being exploited in active hacking campaigns, underscoring the company’s ongoing commitment to user security alongside software refinement.
(Source: TechCrunch)
