How to reduce transparency and increase contrast on an iPhone

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 4 October 2026

Device

iPhone

Shown on

iOS 26.5 (iPhone 17)

App

Settings

Path

Settings › Accessibility › Display & Text Size

Real screenshots

5 of 5 steps

Checked

October 2026

Sources

1 official, linked below

iOS 26 puts many menus and bars on see-through surfaces that let the wallpaper and the content behind shine through. It looks light, but text on top can be hard to read. Two switches in the Accessibility settings make these surfaces more solid. They change nothing else and can be switched off again at any time.

The screenshots show iOS 26.5 on an iPhone 17. On older versions the rows have the same names, with a slightly different look.

Step by step

1. 

   Open Settings and tap Accessibility

   It is in the first group of the main Settings list, below General.

   Done

2. 

   Tap Display & Text Size

   It is in the Vision group at the top.

   Done

3. 

   Switch on Reduce Transparency

   The page describes it as improving contrast by reducing transparency and blurs on some backgrounds. In the picture it is still off.

   Done

4. 

   Switch on Increase Contrast if you need more

   It increases the colour contrast between the foreground and the background of apps. Try Reduce Transparency alone first.

   Done

5. 

   Consider the other aids on the page

   Bold Text makes all text thicker. Show Borders draws outlines around buttons. On/Off Labels adds a mark inside each switch, and Differentiate Without Color replaces signals that rely on colour alone.

   Done

Good to know

For larger letters: how to make text bigger on an iPhone.

If moving and zooming effects bother you as well: how to turn on Reduce Motion on an iPhone.

Smart Invert, further down the same page, reverses the colours of the display except for pictures, media and apps that are already dark.

In short: Settings, Accessibility, Display & Text Size, Reduce Transparency on. Increase Contrast for more.