iOS 26 Beta 2 Liquid Glass Gets a Polish!

Apple Fine-Tunes Liquid Glass Interface with iOS 26 Beta 2

Apple is diligently refining its ambitious Liquid Glass user interface with the release of iOS 26 Beta 2. This update directly addresses early user feedback concerning readability and usability issues that surfaced after the initial unveiling at WWDC 2025 earlier this month.

The Liquid Glass UI, a core component of iOS 26, aims to deliver a modern aesthetic by drawing inspiration from the optical characteristics of glass – its translucency and how it refracts light. While the concept generated significant buzz, initial beta testers were quick to point out areas that needed improvement.

One of the most prominent concerns revolved around the Control Center. The semi-transparent nature of Liquid Glass made it difficult to distinguish the Control Center's elements from the underlying Home Screen, leading to a cluttered and confusing experience. As one user, Holly (@AnxiousHolly) aptly put it, "yeah i cant defend this pic."

Fortunately, Apple has responded swiftly. Beta 2 introduces adjustments to the background blur in the Control Center, significantly enhancing readability. Here's a quick comparison:

• Problem: Control Center elements were hard to differentiate due to transparency.
• Solution: Increased background blur to obscure the Home Screen content beneath.

Notifications also received attention in this update. While they are noticeably sharper, Apple acknowledges that further refinements are still needed, particularly regarding readability against various background colors.

While some users appreciate the sleek design, some are pushing for more control over the look and feel of iOS 26. As Tech-reviewit 👨🏼‍💻 (@craigmlambo22) mentioned on X, formerly Twitter, "iOS 26 looks sleek, but users want control—let us customize Control Center layout and adjust blur/transparency levels. Not everyone wants a frosted-glass overload. Personalization > one-size-fits-all."

Other notable additions in iOS 26 Beta 2 include:

• Accessibility Section in App Store: Providing users with crucial information about app accessibility features.
• iCloud Sync for Journaling App (iPad): Seamlessly synchronizing journal entries across devices.
• Order Tracking in Apple Wallet: Conveniently tracking purchases directly within the Wallet app.
• Apple Music Radio Widget: Quick access to Apple Music Radio from the Home Screen.

It's important to remember that iOS 26 is still in beta, and these adjustments are not final. However, they demonstrate Apple's commitment to actively listening to user feedback and iterating on its design to deliver a polished and user-friendly experience when the official release arrives this fall.

These incremental changes are a promising sign. By directly addressing user concerns and incorporating valuable feedback, Apple is ensuring that Liquid Glass evolves into a truly remarkable user interface. The improvements in Beta 2 hint at a bright future for iOS 26 and reinforce Apple's dedication to creating a seamless and intuitive user experience for its vast ecosystem of devices.

Tags: iOS 26, Apple, Liquid Glass, User Interface, iPhone, iPad, Beta 2, WWDC 2025, Control Center, UI design

Source: https://techcrunch.com/2025/06/23/apples-liquid-glass-interface-improves-with-release-of-ios-26-beta-2/