Your iPhone just got a whole lot more personal—thanks to iOS 26. With a slew of new customization options, Apple is giving users more control than ever over both the look and functionality of their devices. But here’s where it gets controversial: not everyone is a fan of the bold new Liquid Glass design. Love it or hate it, iOS 26 now lets you tweak it to your liking. Here are five game-changing customization features you need to know about.
1. Tailor the Liquid Glass Design to Your Taste
Apple’s Liquid Glass design has divided opinions, but iOS 26 introduces a clever solution. Instead of overhauling the design, Apple added a toggle in Settings > Display & Brightness > Liquid Glass. Here, you can choose between Clear (the default, transparent look) and Tinted, which increases opacity and improves readability. It’s a small change, but one that shows Apple is listening to feedback—even if it’s not unanimous.
2. Take Control of the Lock Screen Camera Swipe
Remember when swiping left on the Lock Screen was the go-to way to open the Camera? Well, times have changed. With the introduction of on-screen buttons, Action buttons, and Camera Control, the swipe gesture became more of a nuisance than a convenience. But as of iOS 26.1, you can finally disable it! Head to Settings > Camera and toggle off Lock Screen Swipe to Open Camera. It’s a minor tweak, but one that could save you from accidental camera launches.
3. Slide or Tap? The Choice is Yours
iOS 26.1 brought back a classic: the ‘Slide to stop’ gesture for alarms and timers. While some users appreciated the nostalgia, others found it cumbersome. Enter the Prefer Single-Touch Actions setting in Settings > Accessibility > Touch. This lets you replace sliding gestures with one-tap buttons, making it easier to snooze or stop alarms without fumbling. But here’s the question: is Apple catering to too many preferences, or is this the perfect balance of customization?
4. Make Notifications Unmissable with Screen Flash
For years, the camera flash has been a handy way to alert users to notifications, especially for those with hearing impairments. But iOS 26.2 takes it a step further with a Screen Flash option. Found in Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual > Flash for Alerts, this feature makes your entire screen light up briefly when a notification arrives. Pair it with the camera flash for maximum impact—or overkill, depending on your perspective.
5. Fine-Tune Your Lock Screen Clock’s Opacity
The Lock Screen clock got a sleek ‘Glass’ style in iOS 26, but the real upgrade came later: an expanded opacity slider. Now, you can make the clock nearly invisible or boldly opaque, depending on your mood. Just ensure your clock is set to ‘Glass’ (not ‘Solid’) and experiment with the slider. The only catch? The expanded size option still works only with the default font. Progress, but not perfection.
And this is the part most people miss: While these features are exciting, they also raise questions about Apple’s design philosophy. Is customization a step toward fragmentation, or a necessary evolution in user experience? Let us know which iOS 26 settings you’re loving—or loathing—in the comments below.
Best iPhone Accessories to Complement Your Customized Device
- AirPods Pro 3 (now just $209, down from $249) Buy on Amazon
- MagSafe Car Mount for seamless iPhone navigation Buy on Amazon
- 10-Year AirTag Battery Case 2-Pack for long-lasting tracking Buy on Amazon
- 100W USB-C Fast Charging Power Adapter for quick recharges Buy on Amazon
- Apple’s New AirTag 2 (available in 1-pack Buy on Amazon or 4-pack Buy on Amazon)
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