iOS 26.2 beta arrives with a slider to adjust the transparency of Liquid Glass
In a surprising move, Apple has released the first public beta of iOS 26.2 today, just days after the official launch of iOS 26.1.
This new version brings a set of minor improvements, including a transparency slider for the lock screen, adjustments to sleep scores, and updates to the News, Podcasts, and Reminders apps.
A New Control for the Liquid Glass Effect
The standout feature of iOS 26.2 is a slider that allows users to adjust the translucency of the clock on the lock screen. This setting applies to all font styles, providing more control over the appearance of the iconic Liquid Glass effect introduced with iOS 26.
This small tweak aims to make the look more customizable according to individual preferences, particularly for users who found the previous transparency too pronounced.
A Revamped Sleep Score
Apple has also changed the way the sleep score is displayed in the Health app:
- The “Excellent” level is now labeled as “Very High,”
- And the scoring system has been recalibrated after user feedback deemed the ratings too strict.
This update fine-tunes the sleep analysis for more realistic results.
Redesign of the News App
The Apple News app benefits from a refreshed interface that is clearer and faster. It now features shortcut buttons for direct access to main categories such as Sports, Games & Puzzles, Politics, Economy, and Cooking.
Alarms for Urgent Reminders
Reminders gain a highly anticipated feature: it is now possible to set an alarm for a reminder marked as “Urgent.”
Once activated, iOS will trigger an audible alert at the scheduled time, making critical reminders much more noticeable.
Live Translation for AirPods Extended to Europe
Good news for European users: the live translation feature via AirPods is now available within the EU,
as Apple has adapted the functionality to comply with the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
This allows for instant audio translations in multiple languages directly from the earbuds.
Other Notable Improvements
- Freeform now supports tables for better organization of ideas.
- The Podcasts app introduces:
- AI-generated automatic chapters,
- Links to mentioned podcasts,
- And access to links cited during an episode.
- A new “Enhanced Security Alerts” section notifies users of imminent threats.
- Ability to use the iPhone’s flash as a visual alert for critical notifications.
- In the Passwords app, a new menu allows management of sites for which credentials are not saved.
Availability:
- Version: iOS 26.2 Public Beta 1
- Access: for users enrolled in the Apple Beta Software Program
- Update: available via Settings > General > Software Update > Public Betas
iOS 26.2 doesn’t drastically change the system but brings welcome refinements to the daily experience. With increased customization, improved accessibility, and a smoother AI integration, Apple continues to enhance the comfort and coherence of its ecosystem ahead of the major updates expected for iOS 27.
