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With iOS 26.2, Apple lets you roll back Liquid Glass again — this time on theLock Screen
Apple's iOS 26.2 update allows users to adjust the transparency of the Lock Screen's clock, responding to feedback on its Liquid Glass interface. Previously introduced in iOS 26, the transparency had received complaints for making devices hard to read. This update, alongside new features like AirDrop codes and a Sleep Score for Apple Watch, follows the departure of design executive Alan Dye.
Key points
- Apple released iOS 26.2, allowing users to control Lock Screen clock transparency.
- The Liquid Glass design introduced in iOS 26 received mixed reviews for readability issues.
- In response to user feedback, Apple introduced a tool in iOS 26.1 to adjust interface opacity.
- This update includes new features such as sharing AirDrop codes and enhancements to Reminders, Apple News, and Music apps.
- The design executive behind Liquid Glass, Alan Dye, left Apple for Meta, signaling potential shifts in Apple's design direction.
Why it matters
- The trend toward customization and user control in operating systems is notable as more tech companies like Google and Microsoft introduce similar features.
- The departure of a key design executive could impact future Apple developments, particularly as competition in smart device design increases.
- Following the 2025 growth in AI technologies, such as AI integrations in apps, Apple's update reflects an evolving interface as it prepares for potential future AI-capable devices.
The iOS 26.2 update highlights Apple's responsiveness to user feedback on interface design while marking a transitional phase in its design leadership, hinting at future enhancements in usability as AI technologies continue to shape device interfaces.