With the release of iOS 26 Beta 2 on Monday, Apple has addressed key concerns around iOS 26 Liquid Glass, its new and polarizing user interface revealed at WWDC 2025. The update introduces a more refined version of the design, which initially drew criticism for its usability issues.
Liquid Glass reimagines the iOS interface using visual effects inspired by glass—including light refraction, translucency, and layering. Apple promoted the system as a modern, visually immersive evolution of iOS. However, early testers of the developer beta were quick to highlight major flaws, especially in how the new visuals affected functionality.
One of the most notable issues involved the Control Center, which became nearly unreadable in the first beta. Because of its semi-transparent design, buttons and sliders blurred into the background, making it hard to distinguish them from the Home Screen icons underneath.
In Beta 2, Apple has improved this by increasing the background blur, making the Control Center more visually distinct. This simple tweak dramatically boosts readability and usability without abandoning the Liquid Glass aesthetic.
Notifications also received criticism in the initial release. Many users complained that alerts were difficult to read—especially on light backgrounds or in bright environments. In the updated beta, notifications now appear sharper and slightly more defined. Still, further refinements are needed before the final launch.
Although iOS 26 is not expected to roll out to the public until fall 2025, Apple is clearly monitoring feedback closely. The quick turnaround between complaints and fixes suggests that the company is listening to developers and refining Liquid Glass based on real-world usage.
Beyond the Control Center and notifications, Apple may continue adjusting other aspects of Liquid Glass in future betas. For now, Beta 2 offers an early glimpse into how Apple plans to balance bold visual innovation with practical design improvements.
The introduction of iOS 26 Liquid Glass shows Apple’s ambition to push design boundaries. But as early reactions revealed, aesthetic changes must also serve usability. By acting on feedback quickly, Apple seems determined to ensure that form doesn’t compromise function.
