Apple's latest update, iOS 26, introduces an innovative Liquid Glass design that significantly enhances the visual experience on the iPhone's Home Screen. This new aesthetic is evident right when you unlock your device, but what sets it apart is the degree of customization available to users. We will explore the various changes affecting the iPhone's main interface in detail.
At the core of this update are the app icons, which now feature a layered appearance that gives a sense of depth. By default, these icons appear as if they are composed of multiple sheets of glass stacked together, resulting in a stunning translucent look. Apple has crafted Liquid Glass app icons for essential applications such as Safari, Maps, Photos, the App Store, and Mail. Additionally, many third-party app icons are adopting this sleek aesthetic, and those with simple designs on solid backgrounds already embody the Liquid Glass look.
The dock on the Home Screen is now transparent, seamlessly blending into the background, similar to the search button. App folders boast a frosted glass design that changes tint based on the wallpaper you choose. When editing your Home Screen, the interactive buttons remain transparent, enhancing the overall visual experience. Furthermore, interface elements like the dock and folders feature a lighting effect that shifts when you move your iPhone, creating the illusion of real glass.
The Liquid Glass effect is visually striking in both Light Mode and Dark Mode. Icons maintain their stacked glass appearance, but the background changes between lighter and darker tones. Notably, Apple has redefined Light Mode as Default Mode within the customization settings, allowing users to adjust colors easily by long-pressing the display and tapping on customize.
New toggles for Always and Auto modes let users enable permanent Light or Dark themes or adjust them based on the time of day. Additionally, the Small and Large buttons for changing icon size have been repositioned to the upper right corner of the customization interface. In iOS 26, Tinted Mode has also undergone a transformation. Instead of black backgrounds with colored graphics, icons now feature the full color selected with white graphics in Light Mode, while Dark Mode offers a much darker shade of the chosen color.
One of the most exciting features in iOS 26 is the addition of Clear icons. This option is available alongside Default, Dark, and Tinted modes. As the name implies, Clear icons showcase a striking Liquid Glass appearance, appearing completely transparent. These icons take on the color of your wallpaper, featuring white text and designs. Users can choose between Light and Dark options for the Clear setting, with Light resembling frosted glass and Dark mimicking tinted glass. If you're looking to fully embrace the Liquid Glass experience and transform your iPhone's appearance, opting for Clear icons is the way to go.
Widgets have been updated to reflect the aesthetic changes seen in app icons, although they largely maintain their appearance from iOS 18 in Default mode. When utilizing the Clear option, widgets become transparent and exhibit a cohesive design that complements your wallpaper beautifully.
iOS 26 allows users to edit their wallpaper directly from the Home Screen. By long-pressing on the display, users can access the new Edit Wallpaper option. This interface enables changes to the Home Screen wallpaper without affecting the Lock Screen. Users can choose from a variety of options, including selecting a new image, adjusting colors, or applying gradients. The wallpaper also influences the color of the dock, folders, and icons, making it a central element in the design.
Control Center has also adopted the Liquid Glass design, resulting in a refreshed appearance while retaining its functionality. Compared to the iOS 18 version, iOS 26's Control Center features depth in the icons, enhanced by a shifting light effect. The icons are now tinted to resemble frosted glass, and some underlying buttons for adjustments have been updated for a modern look. Users will notice that icons are slightly larger, and bar-shaped icons for volume, brightness, and other settings have been made rounder.
While elements like the Dynamic Island, Notification Center, long press gestures, and App Library have not undergone significant changes beyond aesthetic updates, there are still noteworthy enhancements. App Library folders are now translucent, and the search bar has a rounded appearance. Additionally, the glass-like aesthetic of widgets varies in intensity, depending on the chosen icon color. Icon sizes in the App Library have also increased, providing a sleeker look.
Adding a website to your Home Screen in iOS 26 now guarantees that it will open as a web app. Previously, developers needed to configure websites for this functionality. If not set up correctly, these sites would open in Safari when added to the Home Screen. With the new update, a dedicated web app experience is ensured, although users can toggle the Open as Web App option off if they prefer websites to open in Safari instead.
For those looking to explore all the exciting features introduced in iOS 26, we have compiled a dedicated roundup that delves into the new functionalities available in this update. With its beautiful Liquid Glass design and customizable interface, iOS 26 promises to enhance the iPhone experience significantly.
For more information and updates, check out our related roundups on iOS 26 and iPadOS 26.
