Transparent App Icons on iOS 26 (Glass Mode on Your iPhone)

You’ve probably seen the new feature in iOS 26 — transparent app icons. What does that mean? Basically, you can now customize the look of your icons in a way that fits your personal style. And if you’re curious to try something new and see whether this “glass mode” is for you, then you’ve come to the right article.

Because here’s the thing: if you want to make app icons transparent in iOS 26, you won’t find the option in the regular Settings menu. Apple has tucked these controls somewhere else, and in this guide, we’ll show you exactly where to find them.

Getting Started

First, make sure your iPhone is running iOS 26. If you have an iPhone 11 or later, you can install iOS 26.
If you already have iOS 26 installed, you’re ready to move on. Start by going to your Home Screen. Make sure you’re on the page you want to customize.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Jiggle Mode
   Touch and hold an empty area of the Home Screen until your app icons start to jiggle.
2. Tap Edit
   In the upper-left corner, tap Edit. When the quick menu appears, select Edit.
3. Choose Customize
   In the popup window, tap Customize to open the icon style panel.                      
4. Select Clear
   From the styles menu at the bottom, choose Clear (the translucent / glass option).
   You’ll see three variants: Light, Dark, and Auto — pick whichever you like best.
5. Fine-Tune (Optional)
   Use the brightness/tint controls (if available) or toggle icon labels for better visibility. Tap outside the panel to save your changes.

What You’ll Get

Your icons (along with many system widgets and elements) will now display with a sleek, layered, semi-transparent “glass” look across your Home Screen and other parts of iOS.

Handy Tips & Things to Know

Light / Dark / Auto:

• Light gives a brighter, softer translucency.
• Dark adds contrast while keeping transparency.
• Auto adjusts automatically depending on your system appearance.

Wallpaper & Lock/Home Pairs:
If you switch between Lock/Home Screen pairs, the icon style can change depending on the pair. Regular wallpaper changes won’t affect Clear mode, but switching pairs might revert icons to that pair’s default style.

Where Clear Mode Appears:
The Clear style applies to Home Screen icons, widgets, the App Library, and several system UI elements that use Apple’s new “Liquid Glass” design language.

Turning It Off

If you decide you don’t like it anymore, simply repeat the steps above and select the Default instead of Clear.

Summary

That’s one thing I really like about Apple — they give you the choice. You can use this feature, ignore it, or try it for a while and then switch back. It’s all about making your iPhone feel a little more yours.

So go ahead, experiment, and set up your phone exactly the way you like.

CostPlusPhones Team

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