iOS 26 Liquid Glass optical illusion prompts 'drunk' feeling among iPhone users; fix available

Apple rolled out iOS 26 last week alongside the iPhone 17. The update introduces Liquid Glass, a translucent, glass-like redesign Apple says makes icons, the lock screen and home screen more expressive. But users have reported a perceptual quirk: the icons appear slightly tilted, with posts on Reddit describing the update as making people feel drunk.

The tilt is not physical. An optical illusion appears to be produced by subtle glow effects in the top-left and bottom-right corners of the icons, creating the impression that icons hang in space. The effect is more noticeable when icons are displayed against dark backgrounds in certain display modes such as Dark, Clear or Tint. MacRumors notes that the phenomenon is more pronounced under specific color schemes and wallpapers, and some users describe the experience as visually jarring.

To lessen the effect, users can reduce motion in the iPhone accessibility settings. Steps: Settings, Accessibility, Motion, then Reduce Motion. Reducing motion cuts the parallax effect on icons and can diminish the perceived tilt. Some Reddit users report that this fix helps, though others say additional display quirks persist, such as outlines around icons or updated graphics that remain unattractive to some.

Beyond visuals, iOS 26 adds a slate of features including custom chat backgrounds in Messages, a new Games app, and a Live Translation tool that translates calls in real time. Apple describes Liquid Glass as making apps and system experiences more expressive and delightful, with a focus on content and a more dynamic feel across controls, navigation, and widgets.

The update has also drawn attention for battery life concerns; some users report faster drain after installing iOS 26. The iPhone 17, released in conjunction with the update, features an aluminum frame that some reviewers say is prone to scratching. Pricing for the new device starts at about £799 in the UK or $799 in the United States, with the Pro Max model listed around £1,199 or $1,199 depending on storage.

iOS 26 is designed to run on a broad range of devices, including the iPhone 11 through the iPhone 16 series and the iPhone SE models from 2020 and 2022. Apple has not publicly commented on the optical-illusion reports at press time, but the company has acknowledged ongoing optimization and user feedback as part of the rollout process.

Overall, the Chemical mix of new visuals and features has sparked mixed reactions among loyal users. While some praise the refreshed aesthetics and new tools, others remain concerned about optics-related side effects, battery performance, and the overall impact on daily use. Apple continues to push updates that align with its new hardware line, emphasizing improvements in expressive software design and real-time communication features as part of iOS 26.”