New Beta enhances Apple’s Liquid Glass design with bold visual effects in the level tool
Apple’s newest update for iOS 26.2 has introduced another noticeable shift in the company’s evolving design language as the Liquid Glass concept reaches the Level tool within the Measure app. The update appeared first in the developer beta and has already caught the attention of early testers who have praised the more fluid and visually engaging interface. The company continues to weave its Liquid Glass theme across the system and the Level tool is the latest feature to be swept into the redesign.
The Measure app is not often viewed as one of the heavyweight elements of iOS, yet it remains a quietly useful tool for checking dimensions, angles and alignment. Apple has decided to refresh its appearance in line with the rest of the operating system. With the arrival of this new beta, the Level tool now features bright chromatic flares and a shifting glass like effect that moves in response to the angle of the device. These subtle animations are intended to feel organic, as though the elements are physically responding to gravity and motion.
When the level indicator passes across the centre of the screen, a faint burst of colour appears at the boundary line. At the same time, a gentle distortion ripples across the background grid which creates the impression of looking through a curved piece of glass. The movement is smooth and the effect feels more dynamic than the flat green line that long served as the default visual cue. Apple appears to be using the Level tool as a small but clear demonstration of how Liquid Glass can be applied even to simple utility features.
The change becomes even more apparent when measuring objects on the floor or on the ceiling. Instead of displaying the traditional flat alignment circles, the Level tool now shows two floating spheres that look as though they are made from transparent molten glass. As the device approaches a perfect zero degree alignment, the spheres tighten and merge visually with the indicator. The background grid bends and stretches slightly to complete the impression that everything on the screen is interacting in real time.
Testers quickly noticed this shift and many highlighted how unusually striking the effect looked. Although the Level tool is not among the most frequently used functions on the iPhone, these updates underline the level of attention Apple is devoting to its new design philosophy. Liquid Glass was first introduced publicly at the company’s developer conference and has since expanded into various native apps. Apple appears determined to create a system where movement, colour and depth play bigger roles in guiding the user through tasks.
Shortly after the second beta was released, Apple issued another update that improved visibility for the level indicator. Some testers felt that the bright colour accents made the line slightly harder to track in certain lighting conditions. In the third beta, Apple refined the effect and adjusted the opacity so that the central indicator stood out more clearly. This small adjustment suggests the company is still experimenting with how Liquid Glass can be used without disrupting the clarity essential to utility tools.
As Apple continues to extend these visual themes, questions remain about where Liquid Glass will appear next. It is possible that the company will bring similar treatments to the Measure tool itself, although no changes have been confirmed. Apple has frequently introduced design shifts gradually, allowing users to adjust to the new aesthetic before rolling it out more widely. The current update reinforces this pattern by offering a visually rich but low risk feature as a test bed.
Despite the modest profile of the Measure app, the Liquid Glass update has prompted strong reactions. Users appreciate that Apple is willing to refine even minor tools to maintain coherence across the system. The new design brings a sense of playfulness and modernity while still functioning as a practical alignment instrument. As iOS 26.2 moves closer to release, many expect further refinements and possibly more Liquid Glass elements to appear across other parts of the system.