Apple is rolling out iOS 26.2 with critical security fixes, new Liquid Glass controls, and everyday upgrades—while many iPhone owners search for a way to remove the new white icon borders introduced in iOS 26.1. Here’s everything you need to know today, December 10, 2025.
iOS 26.2 dominates tech headlines on December 10, 2025
Apple’s latest iPhone software, iOS 26.2, is the big tech story of December 10, 2025. The update is rolling out this week with a mix of urgent security patches and Liquid Glass design improvements, and it’s already trending heavily on Google search. [1]
Multiple outlets report that Apple has shipped a second “release candidate” (RC) build to developers (23C54), a strong sign that the public version is either already live in some regions or arriving within days. [2] In India, coverage describes iOS 26.2 as in rollout, with a staggered release expected to reach most devices by the weekend. [3]
At the same time, a separate but related iPhone issue is blowing up on support forums and social media: bright white borders around icons and interface elements after updating to iOS 26.1. A fresh how‑to guide published today explains that this isn’t a bug in iOS 26.1 at all—but an Accessibility setting that suddenly looks much more aggressive under Apple’s new Liquid Glass design. [4]
This article pulls together all the key news and explains:
- How to remove the white icon borders on iOS 26.1 and 26.2
- What’s new in iOS 26.2—from Lock Screen sliders to smarter Reminders
- Why security writers say over a billion iPhone users should install the update quickly [5]
- Which iPhones can upgrade and how to prepare your device
The design story: Liquid Glass, iOS 26.1, and those white icon borders
With iOS 26, Apple introduced Liquid Glass, a new design language that brings translucent, glass-like panels to the Home Screen, Lock Screen, Control Center, and system apps. It reacts to motion and content to give depth and softness to the interface, and it’s now the visual foundation for iOS, iPadOS, macOS Tahoe and other Apple platforms. [6]
This major visual refresh has had a side effect: old Accessibility tweaks now stand out much more.
After installing iOS 26.1, some users opened their phones to find thick white outlines around icons, buttons, and text fields. Posts on Apple’s Support Communities and Reddit describe borders that wrap app icons on the Home Screen and highlight elements across the system, making the interface look cluttered and, for some, almost unusable. [7]
Today, The Mac Observer published a short guide confirming that this effect is almost always caused by a single Accessibility toggle: Show Borders under Display & Text Size. Many people turned this on months ago after copying “TikTok display hacks” or experimenting with contrast settings, then forgot about it. With Liquid Glass and the recent 26.1 refinements, that subtle choice suddenly becomes a loud, high‑contrast outline. [8]
The good news: you do not need to wait for another iOS update to fix it.
How to remove the new white icon borders in iOS 26.1 (and 26.2)
If your icons or UI elements have acquired a bright white border since updating, follow these steps:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Go to Accessibility.
- Tap Display & Text Size.
- Scroll down to Show Borders.
- Turn Show Borders off.
The change applies instantly—no restart required. As soon as you toggle it off, the white outlines around icons and interface elements should disappear across iOS, restoring the cleaner Liquid Glass look Apple shows in its marketing. [9]
If you still see unusual UI behavior, you can:
- Double‑check other options in Accessibility → Display & Text Size, especially any contrast or color filters you turned on for older versions of iOS. [10]
- As an extreme last resort, use Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Reset → Reset All Settings to restore the system defaults without erasing your data. [11]
But for most people, simply disabling Show Borders is enough to get rid of the white outline and enjoy iOS 26.1 (and soon 26.2) as Apple intended.
What’s new in iOS 26.2: Liquid Glass tweaks and everyday upgrades
While the white border issue belongs to 26.1, iOS 26.2 focuses on polishing Apple’s new design and improving daily usability. Here are the most important changes being reported today.
1. Finer control over Liquid Glass on the Lock Screen
Several outlets highlight a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen clock. Instead of a few preset looks, you can now drag a slider to make the time display: [12]
- Nearly transparent, blending into your wallpaper
- Soft and frosted
- Or bold and solid, closer to the pre–Liquid Glass style
This responds directly to feedback from users who liked the new design but wanted more control over how “glassy” the clock appears on their photos.
2. Updated Sleep Score ranges
Apple is also tuning Sleep Score, the metric introduced with iOS 26 that rates sleep quality based on data from Apple Watch. iOS 26.2 adjusts the score bands (for example, what counts as “Very Low,” “OK,” or “High”) so they better match how people actually feel the next morning. [13]
The updated ranges are intended to make the charts in the Health app more realistic and easier to interpret at a glance.
3. New “alarm-style” Reminders
The Reminders app gains the ability to attach full alarms to tasks. When a reminder marked as urgent is due, your iPhone can sound an alarm and show an alarm‑style screen instead of quietly posting a notification that’s easy to miss. [14]
This should appeal to anyone who’s ever set a critical reminder and then swiped it away by accident.
4. Smarter Podcasts with automatic chapters
In Apple Podcasts, iOS 26.2 can now automatically create chapters based on the episode transcript, even when the creator hasn’t added manual chapters. You can jump straight to the segment you care about, and links in the transcript can take you to other referenced shows or content. [15]
5. More apps get the Liquid Glass treatment
Apple is continuing its slow refresh of built‑in apps to match the new design. The Measure app, for example, now uses Liquid Glass controls and a more modern look, replacing older, flatter indicators with translucent, fluid elements. Menu animations across the system have also been tightened up to look smoother and respond more quickly to taps. [16]
6. AirPods Live Translation expands to the EU
One of the flashier iOS 26 features—AirPods Live Translation—is expanding to users in the European Union with iOS 26.2. When paired with compatible AirPods, your iPhone can translate conversations in real time, playing translated audio in your ear while keeping processing on-device. [17]
This builds on the broader Live Translation system that already integrates with Messages, FaceTime and Phone on Apple Intelligence‑capable iPhones. [18]
7. Safety alerts, Apple Music, Games and CarPlay improvements
Other notable changes reported today include: [19]
- A new Enhanced Safety Alerts section in Settings, centralising earthquake alerts, imminent threat warnings and improved location‑based delivery.
- Offline lyrics in Apple Music, so you can view lyrics even without a connection.
- A one‑time code system for AirDrop, making it safer to share files with people who aren’t in your contacts.
- A new option to disable pinned Messages in CarPlay, returning to a simpler list view while driving.
- The ability to sort games by size in the Games app, helping you quickly free up storage.
None of these are headline‑grabbing on their own, but together they make iOS 26.2 feel like a refined version of the big September release.
The security story: why experts say you should install iOS 26.2 ASAP
Beyond design tweaks, iOS 26.2 is being framed as a crucial security update.
In recent days, Apple and Google have sent cyber‑threat notifications to select users worldwide, warning that mercenary spyware is actively targeting both iOS and Android. These attacks are described as far more sophisticated than typical malware, using significant resources and exploiting previously unknown vulnerabilities. [20]
Coverage today explains that:
- Only a small number of users are directly targeted.
- But the underlying vulnerabilities could be reused for broader attacks if left unpatched.
- Apple expects to update more than a billion iPhones in the coming days as part of its response. [21]
Tech outlets note that iOS 26 introduced stronger anti‑scam and anti‑fraud tools, including smarter phishing detection and improved protection for sensitive data. iOS 26.2 builds on that foundation with: [22]
- New AirDrop security layers, restricting transfers from unknown devices unless you explicitly approve them.
- Tighter emergency alert handling, including more reliable delivery during critical events.
- A large batch of under‑the‑hood vulnerability fixes that Apple will detail in a future security notes document.
A widely cited analysis (summarised by several sites today) characterises iOS 26.2 as an update that over a billion iPhone users “can’t afford to ignore” because of these spyware‑linked patches. [23]
If you’re still on iOS 18, that matters even more: Apple is still issuing security updates for 18 for now, but reports suggest these may stop in the coming months as the company nudges people to move to the more secure iOS 26 platform. [24]
Who can install iOS 26.2, and when will you see it?
Different regions are reporting slightly different timelines, but the picture today looks like this:
- Apple has begun rolling out iOS 26.2, with a release window between December 8 and December 16, 2025, depending on your region. [25]
- In India and other markets, the update may arrive in a staggered rollout with many users seeing it by the coming weekend. [26]
On compatibility, regional coverage and Apple‑focused sites agree that all recent iPhones are included, with a cutoff around:
- iPhone 11 and later (including iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 16e, 17, 17 Pro and the iPhone Air). [27]
Older models that can’t run iOS 26 will continue on iOS 18 with security updates for a while, but they won’t receive the new Liquid Glass UI or the latest Apple Intelligence features. [28]
How to safely update to iOS 26.2
When iOS 26.2 appears on your device, you can install it this way:
- Back up your iPhone
- iCloud: Settings → [your name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now
- Or connect to a Mac/PC and make an encrypted backup.
- Plug in and connect to Wi‑Fi
- The update is roughly 1 GB+, and regional reports estimate install time anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours depending on your connection, device and Apple’s server load. [29]
- Install the update
- Go to Settings → General → Software Update.
- Tap Download and Install under iOS 26.2.
- Let the phone restart and verify your apps
- After installation, open critical apps (banking, messaging, work tools) to confirm they run normally.
Given the current security warnings, most experts recommend installing iOS 26.2 as soon as convenient, rather than delaying for weeks. [30]
How iOS 26.2 and Accessibility settings work together
If you’re worried that future updates will re‑introduce odd visual effects like the white borders, a few simple habits can help:
- After any major iOS update, quickly review Accessibility → Display & Text Size and disable any options you don’t recognise or no longer need. [31]
- Use the new Liquid Glass sliders (on the Lock Screen and within supported apps) to tune the appearance rather than stacking multiple high‑contrast settings on top. [32]
- If you want extra emphasis for UI elements due to visual needs, try milder options first (like increasing bold text or using a less busy wallpaper) before turning on features like Show Borders.
These steps let you enjoy the depth and softness of Liquid Glass without accidentally turning your Home Screen into a glowing grid of white boxes.
Fast FAQ: iOS 26.2 and iOS 26.1 issues
1. Will iOS 26.2 automatically fix the white icon borders?
Not directly. The white borders are controlled by Show Borders in Accessibility, not by the iOS version. Turning that toggle off is the real fix, whether you’re on iOS 26.1 or 26.2. [33]
2. I’m still on iOS 18. Should I jump straight to iOS 26.2?
If your device supports iOS 26, current reporting and Apple’s own guidance strongly suggest you should update. While iOS 18 still gets security patches, Apple has now moved iOS 26 from an “optional” to a recommended upgrade, with stronger built‑in protections and this new spyware‑related patch on top. [34]
3. My iPhone doesn’t show the update yet—what can I do?
Staggered rollouts are normal. As long as your device is compatible and on Wi‑Fi, simply check Settings → General → Software Update periodically over the next few days. Different regions, carriers and time zones receive the update at slightly different times. [35]
4. Is it safe to install iOS 26.2 on day one?
So far, coverage of the 26.2 RC and early rollout hasn’t flagged major show‑stopping bugs, and Apple is clearly prioritising security fixes. Tech sites generally recommend updating promptly—after performing a backup—especially given the current spyware warnings. [36]
5. What are the biggest “everyday” reasons to update if I don’t care about design?
Think of iOS 26.2 as a quality‑of‑life and safety update: more reliable alerts, better Reminders alarms, smarter Podcasts, cleaner animations, and improved AirDrop behavior, all wrapped in a stronger security baseline. [37]
If you’ve just spent the morning searching “how to remove white borders in iOS 26.1” and the afternoon seeing “iOS 26.2 update” trending, you’re not alone. The fix for the borders is a single toggle, and the update itself looks like a must‑install patch that also happens to make iOS 26 feel more polished.
References
1. www.red94.net, 2. www.macrumors.com, 3. m.economictimes.com, 4. www.macobserver.com, 5. news.abplive.com, 6. www.apple.com, 7. discussions.apple.com, 8. www.macobserver.com, 9. www.macobserver.com, 10. www.macobserver.com, 11. www.macobserver.com, 12. www.macworld.com, 13. www.macworld.com, 14. www.cultofmac.com, 15. www.macworld.com, 16. www.moneycontrol.com, 17. www.moneycontrol.com, 18. www.apple.com, 19. www.red94.net, 20. news.abplive.com, 21. news.abplive.com, 22. news.abplive.com, 23. news.abplive.com, 24. m.economictimes.com, 25. www.macrumors.com, 26. www.freepressjournal.in, 27. www.freepressjournal.in, 28. m.economictimes.com, 29. m.economictimes.com, 30. news.abplive.com, 31. www.macobserver.com, 32. www.macworld.com, 33. www.macobserver.com, 34. m.economictimes.com, 35. www.freepressjournal.in, 36. www.macrumors.com, 37. www.macrumors.com
