iOS 27 beta 5 has arrived, and while the update brings a host of improvements, one change has caught the attention of users who love pushing Apple's design language to its limits. The latest beta lets you make Liquid Glass more transparent than ever before, thanks to a subtle but meaningful adjustment to the Liquid Glass transparency slider.
For those unfamiliar, Liquid Glass is the aesthetic foundation of iOS 27. Announced at WWDC 2026, it replaces the more static layers of previous versions with a dynamic, refractive material that responds to light, color, and content. The result is an interface that feels alive, with translucent surfaces that blur, tint, and shift as you scroll, open apps, or interact with widgets.
What is the Liquid Glass slider?
One of the standout features of iOS 27 is the ability to customize the look of Liquid Glass. In Settings, under Appearance, there is a dedicated slider for Liquid Glass. This slider lets you choose between a highly transparent finish, where background content is clearly visible, and a more tinted, frosted appearance, where the glass takes on a stronger color and less background detail shows through. The middle ground offers a balance between the two extremes, giving users a surprising amount of control over how their device looks and feels.
The slider was introduced to give users flexibility. Some people love the immersive quality of very transparent UI elements, while others find that too much transparency can hurt readability. With the slider, everyone can find a comfortable spot.
What changed in beta 5?
In the first four betas, the most transparent setting still maintained a certain level of opacity. With beta 5, Apple has pushed the boundaries further. The "Ultra Clear" option, which sits at the far left of the slider, now offers an even higher degree of transparency. According to comparison images shared on social media, the difference is subtle but detectable. Icons, text, and background colors now show through with less distortion, making the interface feel even closer to having no visual barrier at all.
This change is not massive, but it is meaningful. For users who have been asking for an even more glass-like experience, this is a welcome refinement. It also demonstrates that Apple is actively iterating on its design language, responding to feedback and fine-tuning the details that matter to the most observant users.
Why does this matter?
Liquid Glass is not just about aesthetics. It is also about spatial perception and user experience. When UI elements are more transparent, you gain a better sense of what lies beneath them. This can make navigation feel more intuitive, as context is always visible. On the other hand, too much transparency can make text harder to read, especially against busy wallpapers or in bright lighting conditions.
The fact that Apple is giving users the tools to dial in their preferred level of transparency is a significant step. It acknowledges that there is no single perfect setting that works for everyone. Whether you prefer an ultra-clean, see-through interface or a more muted, tinted look, iOS 27 beta 5 gives you more control than any previous version of the operating system.
Beyond the slider: other beta 5 changes
The transparency tweak is just one part of beta 5. The update also includes redesigned app icons, which feature a new topographical depth and dynamic lighting effects that complement the Liquid Glass aesthetic. Additionally, there are new Siri AI voice options, giving users a choice of more natural, expressive voices generated by on-device machine learning. These changes, combined with the slider refinement, suggest that Apple is polishing every corner of the interface before the official release next month.
For developers and public beta testers, this is an exciting time. Each beta has brought improvements, and beta 5 continues that trend. The new transparency setting is likely to be met with enthusiasm by the design community, which has already been praising the Liquid Glass approach as one of the most significant UI overhauls since iOS 7.
How to set it up
If you are already running the beta, you can check out the new setting by going to Settings > Appearance > Liquid Glass. Drag the slider to the far left to enable the Ultra Clear setting. You will notice that your home screen icons, widgets, and app interfaces become noticeably more translucent. If you find it too distracting, you can easily adjust it back to a more tinted look. The beauty of the slider is that it is all about personal preference.
For those not on the beta, you will not have to wait long. The final version of iOS 27 is expected to launch to the public in September, alongside new iPhone hardware. The Liquid Glass slider will be one of the first things many users explore, and the Ultra Clear option is poised to be a popular choice for those who want the most open, glassy look possible.
Liquid Glass: a brief history
Apple's love affair with translucency dates back to the introduction of iOS 7 in 2013, when Jony Ive's design team embraced frosted glass effects for notification centers and control centers. Over the years, these effects have evolved, becoming more sophisticated and more integrated into the system. Liquid Glass is the next step in that evolution. It uses real-time rendering to create a material that mirrors the way light interacts with actual glass. The result is a dynamic, layered interface that adds depth to every interaction.
The addition of a transparency slider is a natural extension of this philosophy. It gives users the ability to adjust the intensity of the material to match their environment and their eyesight. For older users or those with visual impairments, a more opaque setting can make text much easier to read. For younger users or those who want the most immersive experience, the Ultra Clear setting offers a new level of clarity.
What are users saying?
Early reactions to the beta 5 transparency change have been positive. On social media, users are sharing side-by-side comparisons of the same icons and apps in different beta versions, and the difference is easy to see. The comments reflect a general appreciation for the added flexibility. Some users have noted that they had already been using the most transparent setting in earlier betas, and now they can get an even more extreme version of that look. Others have said that they will stick with a middle ground, because full transparency can make text hard to read.
One thing is certain: the slider has become one of the most discussed features of iOS 27. It is rare for a design setting to generate this much attention, but that is a testament to how much users care about the aesthetic of their devices. In an era where personalization is increasingly important, the ability to control something as fundamental as the transparency of the entire interface is a big deal.
Looking ahead
As we approach the official launch of iOS 27, we can expect further refinements. Apple will likely continue to tweak the Liquid Glass rendering engine to balance performance and visual quality. The beta 5 feed is an indication that Apple is listening and willing to make even granular changes to satisfy its most demanding users.
Whether you are a fan of complete transparency or prefer a subtle tint, iOS 27 will have a setting that works for you. The whole idea is that the interface should adapt to your preferences, not the other way around. With the Ultra Clear setting now more transparent than ever, the future of iOS looks clearer, and more customizable, than ever before.
How do you like your Liquid Glass styled? Are you going to push the slider all the way to the left, or will you keep some opacity for readability? Let us know in the comments below.
Source:9to5Mac News