Apple revealed a significant new feature for iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27, introducing manual control for the Liquid Glass interface. This translucent design, which has generated discussion since its debut last year, now allows users to adjust the intensity. The new function can now be tested on beta versions of operating systems, located within the Appearance section of device settings.
Liquid Glass, which was initially presented in the iOS 26 generation for all of the brand’s devices, received mixed reactions. Many appreciated the transparency effect, but a portion of consumers expressed concern about the difficulty of reading texts positioned on very different colored backgrounds.
To try to resolve these issues, the company launched iOS 26.1, which included a feature with the alternatives “Clean”, maintaining transparency, and “Tinted”, for a more opaque appearance. However, this solution proved insufficient to fully meet expectations, especially for users with accessibility needs, who still faced challenges, as there was no fine-tuning. The more refined control now available in iOS 27 and macOS 27 represents a crucial step forward in ensuring that aesthetics don’t compromise usability for everyone.
Considering continued feedback, the 2027 update introduces comprehensive control for the Liquid Glass design, with a slider that offers a real-time preview. When moving the selector to the left, the interface becomes more transparent, and to the right, it acquires a more opaque effect. The center adjustment position preserves the initial default setting.
Configuring the Liquid Glass look on iPhones and iPads
This functionality is already accessible in the beta versions intended for developers and will also be implemented in the first public beta, being one of the highlights of the official version. To try the new control on an iPhone or iPad, follow the steps below:
- Open the Settings app to access system settings.
- Select the Appearance option.
- Choose Liquid Glass.
- Use the slider to adjust the intensity of the effect to your preference.
Customizing Liquid Glass on Mac computers
The process for macOS 27 follows a similar logic; however, it is important to highlight that only Mac models equipped with Apple Silicon processors will be compatible with this update and, consequently, with the new function.
- Open the System Settings panel.
- Click Appearance.
- Locate the Liquid Glass section and make the desired adjustment.
If the newly introduced slider does not meet all your customization needs, we suggest exploring the accessibility menu. There, you can activate the “Reduce Transparency” or “Increase Contrast” options directly in the screen settings of Apple devices.
iOS 27, iPadOS 27, macOS 27 and Apple’s other operating systems are expected to be released during the autumn of the northern hemisphere, later this year. Although an exact date has not yet been released, these updates are expected to coincide with the presentation of the new iPhone 18 line, probably at the beginning of September.