Apple goes after iOS 26 readability issues after receiving user backlash

Apple’s iOS 26 operating system comes with a new glass design, inviting some of the most noticeable readability and visibility issues across the software, but a new update rollout shows that the company is addressing the user feedback.

A new developer software build, Beta 2 of iOS 26, has been released for testers and revealed that the prominent UI interface, including the control center, has received a new change. Apple has improved the background blur, separating the front and the background, while also tweaking the controls with an added frosted look.

In Beta 1, the control center’s background has high transparency, causing the foreground and background to collide with each other. This scenario has decreased the controls’ visibility.

iOS 26 Beta 2 (left) vs Beta 1 (right) – Source – BrandonButch/X

Users have reported this issue online, drawing massive attention to Apple’s design practice. Another aspect of the issue is related to readability. For example, the notification center’s background color has made it so difficult to read text on a bright wallpaper. This was another flaw related to the glass design, which lags in this specific task.

The beta 2 also addressed the notification center, but it’s not as improved as the control center; still, it makes a little bit of difference from an earlier version. Meanwhile, users may encounter the same readability issue in iOS 26 if they set a bright background.

Apple is calling iOS 26 its biggest redesign since iOS 7, which features new interactive animations and smooth visuals. However, the interface has garnered much of the negative publicity for crucial reasons.

The software is still under testing and will have to go through the beta program before meeting a final release in Q3 or Q4.