With iOS 26.2, Apple lets you roll back Liquid Glass again — this time on the Lock Screen
Summarize this article with:
Apple is releasing another tool to dial down Liquid Glass’s transparency with its release of iOS 26.2, out now. With the update, users will be able to control the transparency of the Lock Screen’s clock. The release follows an update that introduced a slider for controlling the opacity of Liquid Glass elements through the operating system, following user complaints that the changes made their iPhone or other Apple device too hard to read. Launched with iOS 26, the new design language for Apple devices turns various interface elements like buttons, sliders, and notifications semi-transparent. The elements also refract light, giving them the optical qualities of glass. Meant to modernize Apple’s operating systems and potentially prepare for a world where the operating system moves to AI smartglasses, Liquid Glass received mixed reviews. Some found that the transparency made their device difficult to use, as it became tricky to read key items, like notifications or the name of an artist in Apple Music. In response to user complaints, Apple released a Liquid Glass tool in iOS 26.1 that allowed users to return their interface to a more “frosted” look, if desired. With the slider for the Clock’s “glassiness,” Apple is again rolling back the transparency of the Liquid Glass update, but in the form of another user-controlled customization feature, instead of a global change. Image Credits:iPhone screenshot by TechCrunch These tweaks are notable as they telegraph that perhaps Apple isn’t standing 100% behind the design overhaul as being perfect as is. The timing of the change is worth noting, too. Earlier this month, Apple confirmed the design executive behind the Liquid Glass makeover, Alan Dye, was leaving the company for Meta. While it didn’t appear that Dye was pushed out, Apple replaced him with longtime Apple designer Stephen Lemay. Unlike Dye, Lemay’s career was spent in interface and interaction design — a skill set called for when it comes to fixing Liquid Glass, it can be argued. to commemorate alan dye moving from apple to meta, here's one of his best quotes pic.twitter.com/QnqaDRcYeh— juan (@juanbuis) December 4, 2025 iOS 26.2 brought other new features beyond the latest Liquid Glass tweak. As in the betas, users can now create AirDrop codes to share with people not in their contacts, allowing them to become a “known” AirDrop contact for a 30-day period. The feature might make sense at work or in other scenarios where you need to share files or photos with someone not stored in your Contacts. Also in iOS 26.2, the Reminders supports alarms; Apple News gains a Following tab at the bottom nav bar along with other navigation changes; Apple Music adds offline lyrics; and the Podcasts app adds AI-generated chapters for podcast episodes, a Podcast Mention feature for linking to other shows, and other changes. Apple Watch owners will also now get a Sleep Score based on how well they slept and if they met their sleep goals. Apple also released several important security updates across its flagship products on Friday, including iPhones, iPads, Macs, Apple TVs, and Apple Watches, to patch vulnerabilities used in an active hacking campaign. Topics Apple, Apps, design, ios 26, iPhone, liquid glass Sarah Perez Consumer News Editor Sarah has worked as a reporter for TechCrunch since August 2011. She joined the company after having previously spent over three years at ReadWriteWeb. Prior to her work as a reporter, Sarah worked in I.T. across a number of industries, including banking, retail and software. You can contact or verify outreach from Sarah by emailing sarahp@techcrunch.com or via encrypted message at sarahperez.01 on Signal.
View Bio Dates TBD Locations TBA Plan ahead for the 2026 StrictlyVC events. Hear straight-from-the-source candid insights in on-stage fireside sessions and meet the builders and backers shaping the industry. Join the waitlist to get first access to the lowest-priced tickets and important updates.
Waitlist Now Most Popular Google launched its deepest AI research agent yet — on the same day OpenAI dropped GPT-5.2 Julie Bort Disney hits Google with cease-and-desist claiming ‘massive’ copyright infringement Aisha Malik OpenAI fires back at Google with GPT-5.2 after ‘code red’ memo Rebecca Bellan Marco Rubio bans Calibri font at State Department for being too DEI Julie Bort SpaceX reportedly planning 2026 IPO with $1.5T valuation target Sean O'Kane Claude Code is coming to Slack, and that’s a bigger deal than it sounds Rebecca Bellan Creator IShowSpeed sued for allegedly punching, choking viral humanoid Rizzbot Dominic-Madori Davis