Apple continues refining its Liquid Glass interface in the latest iOS 26 beta. Released Monday, Beta 2 addresses early usability concerns raised by developers and testers. The update focuses on improving readability and design, ensuring a smoother experience. These refinements highlight Apple’s commitment to perfecting its futuristic UI before the official launch later this year.
Liquid Glass: A Bold Visual Shift for iOS
Debuted at WWDC 2025, Liquid Glass introduces a fresh aesthetic inspired by the properties of real-world glass. The design emphasizes translucency, light refraction, and fluid animations, resulting in a futuristic aesthetic. While visually striking, initial feedback revealed usability challenges. Apple’s latest beta aims to balance aesthetics with functionality, ensuring the interface remains intuitive across iPhones, iPads, and other devices.
Early Challenges with Readability
The first beta faced criticism for poor readability, particularly in the Control Center. Users reported that semi-transparent overlays made buttons and sliders hard to distinguish. Blending icons with underlying content worsened visibility. Apple responded by adjusting background blur intensity in Beta 2, enhancing contrast and legibility. These changes demonstrate the company’s responsiveness to early tester feedback.
Notifications Receive Partial Fixes
Another major complaint involved notification legibility, especially on bright backgrounds. Beta 2 improves sharpness, though testers note further refinements are needed. Apple continues tweaking contrast and text clarity to ensure notifications remain visible in all conditions. This iterative approach suggests more enhancements will follow in subsequent updates before the final release.
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New Features and Enhancements
Beyond UI fixes, Beta 2 introduces several new features. The App Store now displays an Accessibility section on product pages, improving transparency. iCloud sync for the Journaling app extends to iPads, while Apple Wallet gains order tracking. A new Apple Music Radio widget also debuts, offering quicker access to favorite stations. These additions enrich the iOS ecosystem.
Accessibility Improvements Take Center Stage
Apple strengthens its accessibility focus in Beta 2. The new App Store section highlights app accessibility features upfront, aiding users with specific needs. This aligns with Apple’s broader commitment to inclusivity. Enhanced readability adjustments for Liquid Glass also benefit users with visual impairments, ensuring the UI remains functional for all.
iCloud Sync Expands to Journaling on iPad
The Journaling app, introduced in iOS 25, now supports iCloud sync on iPads in Beta 2. This allows seamless note-taking across devices, improving workflow continuity. The update addresses a key limitation, making the app more versatile for users who switch between iPhones and iPads frequently. Further refinements may follow based on user feedback.
Apple Wallet Enhances Order Tracking
Beta 2 brings new order tracking capabilities to Apple Wallet. Users can now monitor deliveries directly within the app, streamlining the shopping experience. This addition positions Wallet as a more comprehensive digital hub, reducing reliance on third-party tracking apps. The feature aligns with Apple’s push for deeper ecosystem integration.
New Apple Music Radio Widget
A dedicated Apple Music Radio widget now lets users access stations from their Home Screen. This quick-launch option enhances convenience for radio listeners. The widget complements existing Music app features, offering faster access without navigation. Its introduction reflects Apple’s focus on personalization and efficiency in iOS 26.
More Tweaks Expected Before Final Release
While Beta 2 shows progress, Apple is expected to refine Liquid Glass further before launch. The company is actively gathering feedback to fine-tune contrast, animations, and usability. These ongoing adjustments indicate a commitment to delivering a polished experience. Users can anticipate additional improvements in future betas leading up to the fall release.
iOS 26 Set for Fall 2025 Launch
The full iOS 26 release is slated for fall 2025, introducing Liquid Glass to millions worldwide. Apple’s iterative beta process ensures a refined final product. With each update, the company addresses early concerns, balancing innovation with practicality. The result will likely be one of iOS’s most visually transformative updates yet, setting a new standard for mobile interfaces.
