So, you’ve finally updated to iOS 26 and noticed things look... different. If you’re staring at your home screen wondering why your favorite app looks like a piece of polished sea glass, you aren't alone. The iOS 26 camera icon has become one of the most debated design tweaks in recent Apple history. It’s not just a minor paint job. It’s part of a massive visual overhaul called "Liquid Glass."
Honestly, the first time I saw it, I thought my screen was smudged. But that’s the point. Apple moved away from the flat, matte designs of the last decade and leaned hard into depth, translucency, and "physicality."
The New Look of the iOS 26 Camera Icon
The icon itself still looks like a camera. Obviously. But the way it interacts with your wallpaper is where things get weird. In previous versions, icons were static blocks of color. Now, the camera icon behaves like a lens or a piece of actual glass. It reflects and refracts the colors of whatever background you're using.
If you have a bright sunset wallpaper, your iOS 26 camera icon might take on a warm, orange glow around the edges. If you're using a dark, moody background, it looks more like a deep obsidian. Apple calls this "Liquid Glass," and it's their way of making the software feel like it’s actually part of the hardware.
Why does it look "blurry" to some people?
One common complaint is that the new icon lacks the sharp borders we're used to. This is intentional. The "Clear" variant of the icon removes the solid background entirely, leaving just the camera glyph floating on a translucent pane. It’s sleek, sure, but if you have a busy wallpaper, it can be a nightmare to find.
Key Changes in the Design
- The Lens Detail: The central lens element is larger than it was in iOS 18.
- Refractive Edges: There’s a subtle white "glow" or rim that catches the light as you tilt your phone.
- Depth Effects: When you long-press the icon, it doesn't just pop up; it feels like it’s depressing into the screen.
Changing the iOS 26 Camera Icon (Step-by-Step)
Maybe you hate it. That’s fair. One of the best things about this update—and something Apple usually avoids—is how much control they've given us over these icons. You don't have to stick with the default "Liquid Glass" look if it's driving you crazy.
To change it, long-press any empty space on your Home Screen until the apps start jiggling. Tap Edit in the top-left corner, then hit Customize. A panel will slide up from the bottom with a few distinct options:
- Light: The classic, high-contrast look we’ve had for years.
- Dark: Great for OLED screens, it turns the background of the camera icon black but keeps the lens details sharp.
- Liquid Glass: This is the default "translucent" look that everyone is talking about.
- Tinted: You can actually pick a specific color to wash over all your icons.
If the iOS 26 camera icon is still too hard to see, you should probably check your accessibility settings. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size and toggle on Reduce Transparency. This kills the glass effect and gives you a solid, readable icon again.
More Than Just an Icon: The In-App Overhaul
The icon change is just the "doorbell" to a much bigger house. Once you tap that iOS 26 camera icon, the interface inside is almost unrecognizable if you’re coming from an older iPhone. Apple basically cleared the clutter.
The most jarring change? The mode wheel is gone.
Instead of a long list of "Slo-Mo, Video, Photo, Portrait, Pano" at the bottom, you basically just see Photo and Video. That’s it. To get to the other modes, you have to swipe the glass "pill" at the bottom. It feels faster once you get the hang of it, but for the first week, you’ll probably find yourself accidentally taking a video when you meant to take a portrait.
The "Six Dots" Menu
Look at the top right of the camera app. See those six tiny dots? That’s your new control center. Tapping that brings up a "Liquid Glass" menu with large buttons for:
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- Flash settings
- Exposure sliders (which are now much more granular)
- Photographic Styles
- The Timer
By hiding these behind a single icon, Apple made the viewfinder feel huge. You can actually see what you’re shooting now without a bunch of white text and yellow icons blocking the corners.
Hidden Features You Might Have Missed
There is a new "Lens Cleaning Hint" that is surprisingly helpful. If your iOS 26 camera icon led you into the app and your preview looks like a foggy morning in London, a little notification will pop up telling you to wipe the lens. It uses the Neural Engine to detect smudges. It sounds like a gimmick, but it has saved at least a dozen of my photos already.
Another cool trick involves your AirPods. If you're wearing AirPods Pro 2 or the newer AirPods 4, you can use the stem as a remote shutter. You don't even have to touch the screen. Open the camera, set the phone up, and squeeze the stem. One squeeze for a photo, a long squeeze for a video.
Professional Controls
For the photographers out there, the way you change resolution is finally better. In the top left corner, you’ll see the current format (like HEIF 48 or RAW). Tapping that doesn't just toggle it; it opens a small sub-menu where you can switch between 12MP, 24MP, and 48MP on the fly. No more digging through the main Settings app just to change your photo quality.
Is the Redesign Actually Better?
The shift to "Liquid Glass" is polarizing. On one hand, it looks futuristic. It makes the iPhone feel less like a computer and more like a high-end camera. On the other hand, the iOS 26 camera icon can sometimes get lost against light-colored wallpapers.
Critics like Niels and Pieter from AppleDsign have praised the "stunning" aesthetics, while some users on Reddit have complained about "inconsistent transparencies" and "reduced readability." It’s a trade-off. You’re trading instant, high-contrast visibility for a more immersive, cohesive design.
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Actionable Tips for iOS 26 Users
If you're struggling with the new look, here is what you should do:
- Use the Search bar: If you can't find the new icon because it's blending into your wallpaper, just swipe down and type "Camera."
- Check your Tint: If you used the "Tinted" icon feature, the camera icon might look like a solid purple or green blob. Switch it back to "Auto" in the customize menu for the best look.
- Master the Swipe: Get used to swiping the "Photo/Video" buttons at the bottom. It's the only way to quickly access Portrait mode now.
- AirPods Shutter: Start using your AirPods as a remote. It’s perfect for group shots where you don't want to use a 10-second timer and run back into the frame.
The iOS 26 camera icon is the first sign of a new era for Apple's UI. Whether you love the "Liquid Glass" look or find it a bit too transparent, it’s clear that Apple is prioritizing depth and haptics over the flat simplicity of the past decade. If it's too much for you, remember that the "Reduce Transparency" setting is your best friend. Otherwise, enjoy the new, sleek viewfinder—it really does make taking photos feel like a more "pro" experience.