Apple’s Liquid Glass interface improves with release of iOS 26 Beta 2

Apple continues its iterative refinement of the iOS 26 operating system with the release of Beta 2, addressing key concerns raised by early testers regarding its ambitious new user interface, Liquid Glass. Announced earlier this month at WWDC 2025, Liquid Glass aims to modernize the iPhone and iPad experience with a design system inspired by the optical properties of glass, emphasizing refraction and translucency. While visually striking, initial feedback highlighted practical usability issues, particularly around readability.

One of the most prominent criticisms centered on the Control Center, the quick-access menu invoked by swiping down on the iPhone’s screen. Early iOS 26 Beta 1 users reported that the semi-transparent nature of Liquid Glass made the Control Center’s buttons and sliders difficult to discern against the underlying Home Screen content, leading to a cluttered and challenging user experience.

In a responsive move, Apple’s iOS 26 Beta 2 update directly tackles this flaw. The new build features significant adjustments to the background blur within the Control Center, effectively obscuring the Home Screen content and dramatically improving the differentiation and readability of the controls. This change is a clear indication that Apple is actively listening to and incorporating developer feedback to enhance the user experience.

Beyond the Control Center, Beta 2 also brings improvements to notification readability. While initial notifications in Beta 1 were often hard to read, the updated version presents them with increased sharpness. Although further refinements may still be needed, particularly on brighter backgrounds, this adjustment signifies Apple’s commitment to optimizing the visual clarity across the system.

These refinements are not likely the final adjustments, as iOS 26 is slated for public release in the fall. The ongoing beta phase allows Apple to fine-tune the user interface, ensuring a polished and intuitive experience for millions of users worldwide. The proactive approach in addressing early criticism bodes well for the final version of Liquid Glass.

In addition to the Liquid Glass interface enhancements, iOS 26 Beta 2 introduces several other notable features. The App Store now includes an Accessibility section on product pages, providing clearer information for users with specific needs. iPad users will welcome the enabled iCloud sync for the Journaling app, allowing seamless content access across devices. Furthermore, Apple Wallet gains new order tracking capabilities, and an Apple Music Radio widget has been added, expanding the functionality and convenience for users.