Version 3 Beta of iOS 26 launched yesterday, Monday, with interface tweaks that lighten the glassy finish Apple unveiled in June at WWDC 2025.
After initial developer testing, the new visual language, dubbed Liquid Glass, excessively replicated the refraction and transparency of real glass, making certain elements difficult to read.
Users reported that controls like the Control Center lacked contrast, and Apple corrected some of these flaws in Beta 2. With the latest release, the company is making progress in other areas of the system, from notifications to several of its own apps.
The top bar in Apple Music goes from a translucent background to a solid white, which eliminates the strange glare on album art and playback controls. Similarly, pop-up notifications now have a darker background behind the text, so letters and numbers stand out without straining the eyes.
These tweaks fit into an iterative process: preview versions exist so Apple can gather feedback, find bugs, and perfect the readability of each screen before its release this fall. No fuss, just a fine-tuning process so that each menu and notification does its job without obscuring the clarity of the content.
Tip: You can also adjust transparency in iOS 26.
Beyond iPhone: Updates for All Devices
In parallel with iOS 26 beta 3, Apple made macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26 available to developers.
In the case of macOS, the update comes with a catch: it can’t yet be installed on Macs with an M chip due to a bug that will be fixed in future patches.
Those with Intel computers can download it from “Software Update” after linking their Apple ID to their developer profile.
Watches also receive their share of polish: to install watchOS 26, simply have the device at about 50% battery and connected to the charger. The update appears in the Apple Watch app within the general software menu.
As for the Vision Pro display, the preview version of visionOS 26 is downloaded directly from Settings, like any other operating system.
The OTA process is identical to that of iOS and iPadOS: once the developer ID is linked, the new beta versions appear automatically in the corresponding section.
Expectation until fall
Although some users believe that the latest beta goes to the opposite extreme and simulates a more opaque frosted glass, it’s worth remembering that developer testing is temporary.
Apple will continue to balance the brightness and clarity of Liquid Glass in future releases, seeking a compromise between visual lightness and absolute legibility.
The final verdict is reserved for its official debut in September, when iOS 26 and the other versions accompany the launch of the iPhone 17.