During the WWDC keynote on Monday, Apple unveiled a fresh design for the home screen of the iPhone, showcasing a transparent look for icons, folders, and widgets, which gives them a glass-like appearance.
This design is not set as the default in the newly released iOS 26, which is currently accessible as a developer beta.
Apple’s latest design, named Liquid Glass, is utilized throughout its software, comprising iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, and macOS Tahoe. Certain components, such as menus and notifications, exhibit transparency paired with a blurred background effect, fostering a spacious aesthetic on the screen.
Nevertheless, the standard appearance on iOS 26 for iPhones and iPads closely resembles earlier versions.
There are methods to obtain the complete Liquid Glass appearance for icons and widgets.
Instructions to attain the full Liquid Glass appearance in iOS 26:
- 5 min
- iPhone
- iOS 26 Developer Beta
Step 1: Press and hold your home screen to reveal the Edit button located in the top left corner.
Step 2: Select Customise and opt for a “Clear” aesthetic.
Step 3: Decide between Clear Dark and Clear Light aesthetics.
The Clear Dark choice keeps some of the original icon colors, while Clear Light alters everything into a glass-like finish. Auto mode alternates between Light and Dark according to the time of day.
Step 4: Glassify your widgets.
Personalize lock screen features by navigating to Settings – Wallpaper – Customise. Tap the clock widget for Font & Color settings, and choose between Glass or Solid. Modify the transparency using the slider.
Step 5: Enhance your wallpaper.
Select wallpapers such as nature vistas or urban landscapes to amplify the clear appearance. Turn off the blur effect in Settings – Wallpaper – Customise to allow glassy icons to influence wallpaper details.
iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 are available in developer beta, with a public beta anticipated in a month.
The majority of users should refrain from installing these versions due to potential bugs; they are designed for developers. To register as a developer, visit here. The developer program has an annual fee of $99.