Apple’s latest iOS 26.2 beta shows Liquid Glass is still a work in progress

iOS 26

Apple’s approach to Liquid Glass has shifted several times since the feature was introduced at WWDC last year. The early developer previews leaned heavily into distortion and transparency. That look drew mixed reactions from testers, prompting Apple to pull back the effect across much of the system. Over the following months, the company began reintroducing subtle transparency and depth cues, aiming for a more restrained interpretation of its original vision.

The release of iOS 26 saw Apple settle on a calmer version of Liquid Glass, but the refinements did not stop there. With iOS 26.1, users gained the ability to switch between Clear and Tinted interface styles in Settings. This gave people more control over how intense the system’s visual depth appears. Apple also began reworking the Lock Screen, adding a slider in the first iOS 26.2 developer beta that allows fine control over the clock’s thickness and opacity. That feature alone indicated Apple wanted to give users more say in how Liquid Glass presents itself rather than enforcing a single aesthetic.

What the next big iOS update could bring

The second developer beta of iOS 26.2 builds on this with further adjustments. The menu opening animation has been reworked to more closely resemble what Apple originally showcased at WWDC. According to developer Aaron Perris, who posted a comparison on X, the new animation restores some of the fluidity seen in Apple’s first demonstration. It is still toned down compared to the early previews, but it offers a clearer sense of motion and layering than what shipped in iOS 26.1. This suggests Apple is steadily guiding the effect back toward its early concept while retaining the lessons learned from initial user feedback.

The beta also includes smaller interface corrections. Users have noticed that the X, Show more, and Clear All Notifications buttons on the Lock Screen now carry more pronounced Liquid Glass styling. The updated buttons appear to have additional depth and slight translucency, matching the broader interface language more closely. These tweaks may look minor, but they demonstrate Apple’s ongoing effort to maintain visual consistency in places where the original Liquid Glass design was not fully applied.

With two consecutive betas focusing on the same design system, it is increasingly clear that Liquid Glass is nowhere near its final form. Apple seems determined to refine it version by version rather than making abrupt, system-wide changes. Whether this slow and steady approach will satisfy users who want a cleaner or bolder look remains to be seen, but for now, the company is still shaping its most ambitious UI refresh in years.