iOS 26 has plenty of flashy features, but these small overlooked settings will improve your iPhone experience instantly.
While we’re all waiting to get our hands on the new iPhone 17 models and AirPods Pro 3, Apple has released iOS 26 to the public. The new iOS 26 update brings several features, including a new Liquid Glass design that adds a more translucent, fluid motion to the OS, mimicking real glass by reflecting and refracting surroundings.
There are many other changes as well, including redesigned icons, an improved Control Center, and a revamped design for several first-party apps. Beyond these, iOS 26 also introduces smaller, lesser-known features. Here are some of the easily missed but useful iOS 26 settings you should change on your iPhone as soon as you install it.
Try the big clock on the Lock Screen
Apple finally lets you go bold with a larger clock design
iOS 26 is all about Apple’s new design language, and one of its standout features is the ability to make the Lock Screen clock bolder and more front-and-center. It looks especially aesthetic when paired with the right wallpaper.
To use this feature on your iPhone, tap and hold the Lock Screen and tap Customize. Then tap the Clock widget and select the first clock font. You’ll notice a new corner bracket at the bottom right of the clock. Drag it to adjust the clock size as you like. Once you’ve set your desired style, tap Done at the top right.
Match your icons with the Liquid Glass design
Makes your setup feel new
Apple already allows you to customize app icons on iPhone with iOS 18, but with iOS 26, the company has introduced new « Clear » glass-like icons. While you can still stick with the default iOS icons, the Clear option transforms all app icons into layered, transparent glass, giving them subtle depth.
The best part is that this feature applies the « Clear » theme to all the icons, even to apps that don’t natively support the feature yet.
To try it, tap and hold an empty area on your Home Screen, select Edit at the top left, then tap Customize, and choose Clear. Instantly, all your app icons will adopt the new glass-like theme, blending seamlessly with iOS 26’s Liquid Glass design.
Turn on Adaptive power mode for better battery life
Intelligently adjust your iPhone’s performance
While Apple may not have emphasized AI much in iOS 26, the company has added an AI-powered Adaptive Power Mode feature that helps extend iPhone battery life by making small performance adjustments when usage is higher than usual.
