LOS ANGELES: Apple is letting users tone down its biggest update to iPhone software design in years after some criticised it for making text hard to read.
The latest iOS update gives an option to adjust the transparency of the so-called Liquid Glass design, which had prompted annoyance among some users over poor legibility when it arrived on iPhones in September.
Users who have updated to iOS 26.1, which rolled out on November 3, can now go to their settings to choose between "Clear" and "Tinted" under "Display & Brightness".
With "Clear," users can keep the previous translucent, which drew criticism for poor contrast and legibility.
Anyone who does not like the original "Clear" approach can now switch to "Tinted," which darkens certain elements and adds another lever alongside the existing "Increase Contrast" and "Reduce Transparency" options.
Also new in iOS 26.1: The swipe-gesture toggle to activate the camera on the lock screen can be switched off for the first time, under "Settings/Camera." This option will interest anyone who has often activated the camera by mistake, for example in a handbag or trouser pocket.
Apple has also tried to prevent accidents from happening when using the iPhone's alarm app. The "Stop" button has been replaced by a "Swipe to stop" function.
This means that, as on many Android phones, you can only switch off the alarm deliberately with a swipe gesture, not with a simple tap if you are not quite awake.
Alongside numerous smaller improvements across various apps, the update also brings important bug fixes and security updates.
If iOS 26.1 has not yet been offered for installation, you can trigger the update under "Settings/General/Software Update." Available updates will be shown there; then tap "Download and Install" and follow the instructions. – dpa/Tribune News Service
