Apple released the first public beta of iOS 26 on July 24, bringing a fresh Liquid Glass design to iPhones for developers and beta testers. This beta also introduces a new Games app, enhancing the overall user experience. The Liquid Glass design feature allows users to make their app icons semi-transparent, expanding the customization options introduced in iOS 18.
Launched in 2024, iOS 18 revolutionized home screen customization. Users now enjoy the ability to remove app labels, change the colors of app icons, and arrange them freely across the screen. This update has been particularly noted for allowing a more personalized touch, enabling users to frame their backgrounds with apps or select various colors to match their style.
Many of these functionalities are available to all users, while some are exclusive to developers and beta testers using the iOS 26 beta. Since this version is still in testing, it may exhibit bugs, and battery life could be adversely affected. It’s advisable to download the beta on a secondary device to avoid potential issues on your main phone. Expect Apple to fine-tune or alter some of these features before the official fall release of iOS 26.
Removing App Labels in iOS 18
1. Long-press your background to enter jiggle mode.
2. Tap Edit in the top left corner.
3. Tap Customize.
4. Choose Large from the menu.
Your app icons will enlarge and the labels will disappear, creating a cleaner appearance. If this isn’t your style, revert to the original setting by repeating the steps and selecting Small.
In the iOS 26 beta, the “Large” and “Small” options are replaced by squares in the Customize menu. Simply tap these squares to adjust the size of your app icons.
Changing App Icon Colors
1. Long-press on your background to enter jiggle mode.
2. Tap Edit in the top left corner.
3. Select Customize.
4. Tap the Tinted icon on the far-right menu.
This will display a gradient scale, allowing you to slide until you find the perfect hue. For an even more precise match, you can use the eyedropper icon in the top right corner to select a color directly from your background.
Additionally, a darker background option can be used for some apps. Start by entering jiggle mode, then follow similar steps to select Dark. This change applies mainly to first-party apps, enhancing visibility and potentially saving battery life.
What’s exciting for those testing iOS 26 is the new Clear option in the Customize menu. Selecting this will render all your app icons semi-translucent, creating a unique visual style across your device.
Darkening Your Background
If you prefer lighter icons but want to enhance visual contrast, you can darken your wallpaper. Here’s how:
1. Long-press your background to enter jiggle mode.
2. Tap Edit in the top left corner.
3. Select Customize.
4. Press the sun icon at the top left of the new menu.
This adjustment will only darken your wallpaper without affecting your icons, allowing them to stand out more effectively.
Arranging Apps on Your Home Screen
To arrange your apps, you can either enter jiggle mode by long-pressing on a blank section of your background or by dragging an app to a new position. Place apps anywhere—whether at the bottom, framed around the screen, or in another pattern. For convenience, I arrange my apps on the right side for easy access.
While you can still move apps freely, the grid layout remains, limiting how closely you can place icons next to each other. Enlarged app sizes create noticeable gaps, preventing overlapping.
Keep in mind that features exclusive to the iOS 26 beta may change or be removed by the time the update officially releases this fall, so stay informed about the updates.
For further details on iOS 18, check out the features iOS 18.6 has brought, as well as insights into the new capabilities offered in iOS 26.