Summary: It’s not a bug, it’s a setting—and you can fix it.
With the release of iOS 26, many iPhone users have noticed something strange on their home screens:
- App icons appear blurry or translucent
- Some icons look duplicated or overlapping
- Widgets and apps are stacked oddly
Although it may seem like a glitch, most of these issues are related to new design choices and layout behaviors in iOS 26. The good news? You can fix them with a few simple settings.
What’s Happening: Real User Complaints
① Blurry or “glass-like” app icons
Many users on Reddit and Q&A sites are saying the new icons feel “unfamiliar,” “weird,” or even “unpleasant.”
Why? Because iOS 26 introduced a new “Liquid Glass” appearance for apps by default, which makes icons appear semi-transparent and blend into the background.
“My icons look like glass now. Can I go back to the old look?” — Yahoo!知恵袋 user
② Duplicated app icons on the home screen
Reddit user reports:
“Why do I have two Messages apps on my iPhone? I didn’t add a shortcut or anything.”
This “duplicate app” appearance can be caused by:
- Manually added Shortcuts
- Accidental dragging from the App Library
- Widget stacks or overlapping zones
③ Icons overlapping with widgets
Some users report that after updating, icons and widgets appear stacked, especially in jiggle/edit mode. This could be caused by new dynamic layouts or mismatched spacing.
Why It’s Happening: Apple’s Design Shift
Apple’s iOS 26 update focused on UI refinement, bringing iPhone design closer to iPad and Mac. As part of that:
- Liquid-style app icons were introduced
- Layout zones became more flexible
- Visual transparency is now more widely used
For design lovers, it may feel futuristic. But for many everyday users, it caused real discomfort, confusion, and a need to “just go back to normal.”
How to Fix It: Step-by-Step Solutions
Let’s go through concrete ways to fix the issue, based on official sources and user-tested methods.
✅ 1. Change Icon Appearance Style
Steps:
- Long-press on an empty space on your home screen
- Enter “Edit Home Screen” mode (icons start to wiggle)
- Tap “Customize” or the three-dot menu (top right)
- Select “Default” appearance (instead of “Clear” or “Glass”)
✔ This will remove the blurry glass-like look and return to a solid, classic icon view.
✅ 2. Adjust Accessibility Settings (for clarity)
Go to:
Settings → Accessibility → Display & Text Size
Enable the following options:
- “Reduce Transparency” → disables background blur
- “Increase Contrast” → sharpens colors and outlines
✔ These help with readability, especially for users with visual sensitivity.
✅ 3. Remove Duplicate App Icons
Check for:
- Shortcuts that mimic real apps
- Icons manually added from App Library
- Multiple profiles or sync issues (iCloud)
Fix:
- Long-press one of the icons
- Select “Remove from Home Screen” (not Delete)
✔ This hides the icon while keeping the app installed.
✅ 4. Rearrange Widgets to Avoid Overlap
- Enter Edit mode
- Tap and hold the widget
- Move it to a different zone or use smaller widget size
✔ Avoiding crowded layouts can prevent unintentional stacking.
Bonus Tip: Wait for Minor Updates (Like iOS 26.1)
Apple has a history of refining new features based on user feedback:
- iOS 16: battery percentage restored
- iOS 17: incoming call layout simplified
If this icon issue becomes widespread, Apple will likely offer further customization or revert some changes in a future minor update.
Final Thoughts: It’s Your iPhone—Make It Work for You
These design shifts are Apple’s way of experimenting. But if you don’t like the new look, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to accept it as-is.
By adjusting a few settings, your iPhone can look and feel just the way you want.
