OS 27 Arrives with New \"Liquid Glass\" and Home Screen Tint Options
iOS 27 Is Here—but You Don’t Have to Rush
Apple has released iOS 27 for the iPhone and iPadOS 27 for the iPad. If you have an iPhone 11 or newer—or a compatible newer iPad—you’ll probably see the update offered under Settings → General → Software Update.
But here’s the important part: You don’t have to install it immediately.
Major yearly updates usually bring useful new features, design changes, and improvements. They can also introduce a few early bugs or require some time to get used to. If your iPhone is working well and you would rather wait until the first round of problems has been ironed out, that is a perfectly reasonable choice.
Apple has also released iOS 26.7 and iPadOS 26.7. These updates allow many people to receive important security protections without immediately moving to version 27. They also provide an update option for certain older iPads that cannot install iPadOS 27.
To see what choices are available on your device:
Open Settings.
Tap General.
Tap Software Update.
Your iPhone or iPad will show the updates available for that particular device. Before installing anything, it’s a good idea to make sure your device is backed up and connected to Wi-Fi and power.
So, should you install version 27 now?
If you enjoy trying new features and don’t mind learning a few changes, you may be ready. If you depend on your device every day and prefer things to remain familiar and predictable, waiting a little while is fine. Just don’t ignore software updates completely.
The key distinction is this: waiting to install a major upgrade is not the same as ignoring security. If version 26.7 is offered, installing it can help keep your device protected while you decide when—or whether—you’re ready for version 27.
There is no prize for being the first person on the block to update. Choose the option that makes you feel comfortable and keeps your device secure.
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Video of the Week: Making Onscreen Text Easier to Read
Apple has made its Liquid Glass design easier to adjust in iOS 27 and iPadOS 27—and that’s welcome news for anyone who found the more transparent buttons and search bars difficult to see.
In this video, I’ll show you how to control the amount of transparency, or “glassiness,” that appears on your iPhone or iPad. You can make Liquid Glass elements clearer and more see-through, or add more tint so buttons, menus, and search bars stand out more clearly against the background.
The adjustment is quick and easy:
Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad.
Scroll down and tap Appearance.
Tap Liquid Glass.
Move the slider to choose the level of transparency or tint that feels best to you.
Slide it toward More Clear if you enjoy the transparent glass effect and want more of the background to show through. Move it toward More Tinted if you prefer controls that are more solid, easier to locate, and easier to read.
The preview on the screen lets you see the difference before you decide. Watch how the sample search bar changes as you move the slider. This setting applies to compatible buttons, search bars, menus, and other Liquid Glass elements throughout your device—not just websites.
Although I demonstrate the steps on an iPhone, the setting works the same way on an iPad.
And remember: You can’t break it. Try different positions on the slider and see what looks most comfortable to you. If you don’t like the result, simply return to the setting and change it again.
Video of the Week #2: Change the Look of Your Home Screen With New "Tint" Options
In this video, I’ll show you how to use the new Home Screen customization options in iOS 27 and iPadOS 27. You can keep the familiar colors, switch to a darker look, try transparent icons, or tint everything with a color of your choice.
Here’s how to find the customization controls:
Long-press an empty area of your Home Screen until the apps begin to jiggle.
Tap the small paintbrush icon in the upper-left corner.
Tap Customize.
Choose one of the available styles: Default, Dark, Clear, or Tinted.
The Default option keeps the regular app colors you already know. Dark gives many icons a darker background, while Clear creates a more transparent appearance. Clear may look stylish, but some people—especially those of us with older eyes—may find the icons more difficult to see.
The Tinted option is where things get especially interesting. You can use one slider to choose a color such as blue, green, purple, or almost anything else.
A second slider controls how strongly that color appears. Move it to the left for a more black-and-white appearance or toward the right to make your selected color more noticeable.
When you’re finished, simply tap outside the customization menu. Your selected color will appear across your app icons, folders, and widgets.
Don’t like the result? No problem. Long-press the Home Screen again, tap the paintbrush, select Customize, and return to Default.
As we always say at Tech Made Friendly: You can’t break it!
Bill Sklodowski
I've been helping people with technology - computers, phones, tablets and more - for about three decades! I've worked for companies like Apple and Sony in training and support positions, and I've taught Adult Ed classes for local school and University-based programs.
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