How do I remove the liquid glass look from app icons on iOS 26?

I’m not aware there is a way to switch it off in one setting. You can submit feedback directly to Apple to let them know. They won’t reply to you but all feedback is looked at. I’m afraid this one would need a lot of users to dislike it before they consider providing an option to opt out. Feedback - iPad - Apple

I'm not liking the outline around the icons either. I especially find the thin outline around my mailboxes in the Mail app distracting and unnecessary. It looks like somebody's draft idea they forgot to clean up. I also find the large rounded tabs in Safari bloated, distracting and totally unnecessary. That said, they do help to identify which tab is active which was a problem with the previous iteration of the tabs but these new rounded tabs are an overdone solution. Apple are you listening?

Canoestew wrote:

I'm not liking the outline around the icons either. I especially find the thin outline around my mailboxes in the Mail app distracting and unnecessary. It looks like somebody's draft idea they forgot to clean up. I also find the large rounded tabs in Safari bloated, distracting and totally unnecessary. That said, they do help to identify which tab is active which was a problem with the previous iteration of the tabs but these new rounded tabs are an overdone solution. Apple are you listening?

NO. Apple isn't listening to anyone complaining here. This is a user to user only forum, which no one from Apple participates or reads for user feedback.

If you want to listen to you, you use this link --> Product Feedback - Apple

The glass view is a mess with now limitation to use the Ipad Pro. After some minutes you think that you need glasses as I cannot read,write or see clear the written words. The usage creates on top dizziness feeling.

It is no problem that Apple create new view, but why without any options for switch back to the classic view or any parts for subjects with on/off switch. Very rare that I saw this kind of bad optimization. I must see how to make rollback on my Ipad. I do not intend to update any further Phone to IOS26 if the setting for standard view witn OFF button for glasses is not ready.

The outline you speak of might be caused by having contrast turned on. It puts a border around everything and makes clear glass look grey.

In Settings > Accessibility > Display and Text > Increase Contrast - OFF.

It’s totally not, turning on the contrast makes a solid white line. With it off you still have the reflective glassy looking edges. Not to mention in some folders the icons overlap the edges now. I really want to turn off whatever nonsense this was.

[Edited by Moderator]

Nwpray wrote:

It’s totally not, turning on the contrast makes a solid white line. With it off you still have the reflective glassy looking edges. Not to mention in some folders the icons overlap the edges now. I really want to turn off whatever nonsense this was.

https://discussions.apple.com/content/attachment/864d2285-1b6b-4952-9c73-fe6f94278b30

Why does the appearance bother you so much? the functions are the same or better in 26.

ridley_walker wrote:

This is one of the worst UI updates in memory. Apple needs to provide an option to revert to the previous style, liquid glass is awful.

I also think it's a giant step forward and adds a layer of visual interest which is terrific. You can choose to dislike it if you want. But remove it you can't, so maybe just get used to it and worry about something else which may have a greater meaning in the overall scheme of things.

ridley_walker wrote:

This is one of the worst UI updates in memory. Apple needs to provide an option to revert to the previous style, liquid glass is awful.

I like it, but Mrs LD150 doesn’t, so I set Settings, Accessibility, Motion to Reduce motion, and Settings Display & Text size to Reduce transparency. Now she thinks I rolled it back 😇

segu1m1 wrote:

because some people actually care how their phone looks. this update is so bad, my lock screen looks like a weird sci fi thing

You gotta learn how to set it up I guess. Mine looks great.

segu1m1 wrote:

because some people actually care how their phone looks. this update is so bad, my lock screen looks like a weird sci fi thing

You're absolutely right! I LOVE how my phone looks with Liquid Glass. If your lock screen hasn't been customized to look like you'd like it to look, learn how to do that here --> Create a custom iPhone Lock Screen - Apple Support

Thanks for your tips! But, unfortunately, increasing contrast does nothing to remove the Liquid Glass blur on the icons, and reducing transparency just makes the Dock and system bars much darker, whether on iPhone, Mac, or iPad. It’s really frustrating. Apple should fix this, because we’re paying for Retina displays and incredible M-series screens, yet the icons end up looking blurry and uncomfortable to look at. The M5 has an amazing image and video resolution, but the icon blur completely breaks the visual experience.

margaleao wrote:

Thanks for your tips! But, unfortunately, increasing contrast does nothing to remove the Liquid Glass blur on the icons, and reducing transparency just makes the Dock and system bars much darker, whether on iPhone, Mac, or iPad. It’s really frustrating. Apple should fix this, because we’re paying for Retina displays and incredible M-series screens, yet the icons end up looking blurry and uncomfortable to look at. The M5 has an amazing image and video resolution, but the icon blur completely breaks the visual experience.

Saying what you think Apple should do, is pointless here on this user to user only forum, which Apple doesn't participate. Use this link to tell Apple what you think they should do --> Feedback - iPhone - Apple

Personally, I LOVE Liquid Glass. And I don't know what tips you tried or didn't try in total, so if you haven't read this, it might help you --> Liquid Glass - Love It Or Hate It - It's … - Apple Community

I know this doesn’t help fix the issue that all of us are faced with. I just want to add my two cents that this was a horrible idea from Apple. To change the UI so much that you can’t go back to a normal looking icon and text. You change everything and put glass looking highlights around an app. They needed to put a disable or change theme instead of forcing you to view this hideous rollout. So much for being a stock holder.

Did you read the link I posted? It explains why Apple can't and won't add a way to disable Liquid Glass. You may not like it, but personally, I really really really like it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, however. Saying you don't like it here, won't get anyone's attention at Apple, though.