TL;DR
Apple's iOS 26.2 update introduces three customization options: an expanded Liquid Glass opacity slider for the Lock Screen clock, a new full-screen flash for incoming notifications, and an 'Urgent' alarm toggle plus related settings in Reminders. These additions target visual personalization, accessibility, and reminder workflows.
What happened
Apple's iOS 26.2 update adds three notable personalization and accessibility tweaks for iPhone users. First, the Lock Screen's Liquid Glass clock gains a wider opacity slider, letting users push the clock farther toward transparency or opacity; this control works regardless of chosen font, although increasing the clock's size still requires the default font. Second, a new 'Screen' option appears under Settings → Accessibility → Audio & Visual → Flash for Alerts; when enabled, incoming notifications briefly light the display to provide a visible cue and can be used alongside the existing camera flash alert. Third, Reminders gets an 'Urgent' toggle for time-based reminders that triggers a Lock Screen alarm with Snooze and Stop actions by default. In Settings → Apps → Reminders, that Snooze button can be swapped for a 'Complete' action that immediately marks the reminder finished when dismissed. These changes aim to refine how users see and respond to time-sensitive items and alerts.
Why it matters
- Gives users finer visual control of the Lock Screen clock for a more personalized home appearance.
- Adds another accessibility option that may help people who miss audible alerts or prefer stronger visual cues.
- Changes in Reminders alter how due notifications behave, potentially reducing friction when marking tasks done.
- Small system updates like this can improve day-to-day interactions without requiring major OS changes.
Key facts
- iOS 26.2 is the latest release referenced in the source.
- The Liquid Glass clock's opacity slider has been expanded to allow more extreme transparency or opacity.
- The expanded opacity control applies regardless of which font is selected, but enlarging the clock still only works with the default font.
- A new 'Screen' option for Flash for Alerts is located at Settings → Accessibility → Audio & Visual → Flash for Alerts.
- When 'Screen' is enabled, incoming notifications briefly light the display to create a visual alert.
- The Screen flash can be used in combination with the existing camera flash alert.
- Reminders gains an 'Urgent' toggle for time-based reminders that triggers a Lock Screen alarm by default.
- Within Settings → Apps → Reminders you can replace the alarm's Snooze button with a 'Complete' button that marks the reminder done when pressed.
- The story and details were reported by Ryan Christoffel and published Jan 2, 2026 on 9to5Mac.
What to watch next
- Whether Apple will extend clock-size adjustments to fonts beyond the default — not confirmed in the source.
- How users respond to the new 'Complete' option in Reminders and whether it changes task completion behavior at scale — not confirmed in the source.
- Any future tweaks to the Screen flash's intensity, timing, or customization options — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Liquid Glass: A visual styling option for the Lock Screen clock that gives a translucent, glossy appearance.
- Lock Screen: The screen shown when an iPhone is locked; it displays time, date, notifications, and other widgets.
- Flash for Alerts: An accessibility feature that provides visual cues for incoming notifications, previously using the camera flash and now including a screen flash.
- Reminders app: Apple's built-in task management app for creating and managing to-dos and time-based reminders.
Reader FAQ
How do I enable the expanded Liquid Glass clock?
Set the Lock Screen clock to the 'Glass' style and use the updated opacity slider while editing the Lock Screen.
Can I increase the clock size with any font?
No. The update notes that enlarging the clock still requires the default font.
Where is the new screen flash setting located?
Find it at Settings → Accessibility → Audio & Visual → Flash for Alerts, then enable the 'Screen' option.
Does the 'Urgent' reminder alarm automatically mark tasks complete?
By default the alarm shows Snooze and Stop; you can change the behavior in Settings → Apps → Reminders to replace Snooze with a 'Complete' button that marks the reminder finished.
Are these features available on all iPhone models?
not confirmed in the source
All the new products Apple released in 2025 Chance Miller Dec 31 2025 IOS 26 IOS 26.2 iOS 26.2 adds three new ways to customize your iPhone Ryan Christoffel | Jan…
Sources
- iOS 26.2 adds three new ways to customize your iPhone
- What's new in iOS 26
- iOS 26.2 will add three new ways to customize your iPhone
- iOS 26.2 Adds These 8 New Features to Your iPhone
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