iOS 26.1 Update Introduces Clarity Toggle for Liquid Glass protection
CUPERTINO, CA – October 18, 2025 – Apple today released iOS 26.1, introducing a new “Transparency” toggle for its Liquid Glass screen protection technology. The update allows users to adjust the level of transparency offered by Liquid glass, balancing scratch resistance with visual clarity. This marks the first time users have had direct control over a key characteristic of the proprietary screen protection.
Liquid Glass, first introduced with the iPhone 18 in 2024, utilizes an amorphous silica coating applied via a molecular deposition process. While offering superior scratch resistance compared to traditional glass, early user feedback noted a slight reduction in screen brightness and color vibrancy. The new Transparency toggle addresses these concerns,allowing users to customize the protection level.
According to Apple’s release notes, the toggle operates on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 offering maximum transparency and minimal scratch resistance, and 10 providing the highest level of protection at the cost of some visual clarity. The default setting is 5, balancing both features.
The iOS 26.1 update also includes performance improvements for the M5-powered iPad Pro, with Geekbench 6 results indicating up to a 20% faster CPU and 40% faster GPU compared to the previous M4 model, particularly in the 256GB and 512GB configurations which feature a 9-core CPU. Apple also updated the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M5 chip, alongside upgrades to SSD performance offering up to 2x faster speeds. Further product updates are anticipated before the end of the year, potentially including a new HomePod Mini and Apple TV, as well as M5-equipped Mac Studio and Mac Mini models slated for spring 2026.
