While I’m generally a fan of the Liquid Glass user interface, not everybody is. For some, it fails usability tests, while others are just not keen on the aesthetics.
Fortunately Apple allows a huge amount of control over the effects, and Adam Engst over at TidBITs has put together the ultimate guide for this …
One quirk is that the settings are very similar across different Apple devices, but they work in somewhat different ways. For this reason, Engst has chosen to separate them out. He uses screenshots to preview the impact of each of the various changes.
The degree of control Apple permits is impressive. For macOS 26, for example, you can choose between the following options:
Default
Reduce Transparency
Increase Contrast (and Reduce Transparency)
Liquid Glass Off
Liquid Glass Off, Reduce Transparency On
Liquid Glass Off, Reduce Transparency and Increase Contrast On
Liquid Glass Off, Per App
Reduce Motion
It’s a really fantastic guide for anyone who isn’t happy with the default look and feel.
Highlighted accessories
Via Daring Fireball. Image: Apple.