iOS 26 Beta 3: Has Apple Killed Off Liquid Glass?

Abdullah Mustapha

July 15, 2025

(Image credit: Shutterstock/ Tom’s Guide)

Apple has released the third developer beta of iOS 26. This marks the most significant update to the beta since June. It’s a clear sign that Apple is getting closer to launching the public beta, which is expected later this month.

iOS 26 Beta 3: What’s New, What’s Gone, and What to Expect

Unlike the second beta, this update doesn’t bring many new features. Instead, Apple seems focused on making the system more stable and reliable. That’s typical as we approach the final release—new features take a back seat while bugs are fixed and performance improves.

Liquid Glass Gets Another Makeover

Image Credit: @iupdate

One of iOS 26’s most talked-about features is the new Liquid Glass design. It gives the interface a transparent, glass-like look. Menus, buttons, and icons appear as if they are made from glass, complete with motion effects and reflections.

In the first beta, the look was bold but controversial. Some users loved it. Others found it hard to read, especially with busy backgrounds. Apple responded by fixing the transparency in beta 2. This made text and icons easier to see but lost some of the original visual flair.

Now, in beta 3, Apple has toned it down even more. Some elements barely look transparent at all. They now have a “frosted” appearance, which improves readability but strays far from the initial vision. Critics say this new look lacks the charm of the first version. Some users even suggested Apple should let people control how transparent the design is with a slider. That might be the best solution moving forward.

Image Credit: @iupdate

More Wallpaper Options

The default wallpaper in iOS 26 now comes in more colors. Originally available only in blue, beta 3 adds three shades of blue—Halo, Sky, and Shadow—along with a new pink-purple version called Dusk.

Read Also: Apple Adds More Colour Options to iOS 26 Wallpaper in Beta 3

Small Updates on iPadOS and Maps

iPadOS 26 beta 3 borrows a feature from macOS. If you shake the cursor, it grows in size briefly, making it easier to find.

Apple Maps now supports fog advisories in offline mode. The new commute delays feature is also seeing continued improvements.

Control Center Tweaks

Control Center has had a small design update too. The blue and green icons for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other toggles are now brighter.

Should You Install It?

While anyone can technically install the developer beta, it’s not recommended unless you’re a developer. These early versions are unstable. Bugs and crashes are common, and data loss is possible if you don’t back up your device.

If you’re curious about iOS 26, it’s smarter to wait for the public beta. Apple promises it will arrive this July, and it will be more polished than the current developer version.

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