Apple’s latest developer preview of macOS Tahoe 26, released on June 23, 2025, introduces a notable enhancement: the ability to restore a solid background to the menu bar. This feature addresses user feedback regarding the new Liquid Glass design, which, while visually striking, presented readability challenges for some users.
The Evolution of the Menu Bar in macOS Tahoe
macOS Tahoe’s Liquid Glass aesthetic represents Apple’s most significant interface redesign in five years. This design introduces translucent, glass-like elements throughout the system, including a fully transparent menu bar intended to create a more expansive visual experience. However, this transparency led to issues where bright or patterned wallpapers made menu bar icons and text difficult to discern. Users reported that the floating appearance of the menu bar affected accessibility and usability.
User Feedback and Apple’s Response
In response to these concerns, Apple has added a Show Menu Bar Background toggle within System Settings under Appearance. This option allows users to reintroduce an opaque layer to the menu bar, enhancing readability while maintaining the reflective qualities of the Liquid Glass design. This adjustment demonstrates Apple’s commitment to balancing innovative design with user functionality.
Additional Refinements in Beta 2
Beyond the menu bar modification, macOS Tahoe Beta 2 also reverts the Finder icon to its traditional blue-white split, addressing feedback from long-time Mac users who preferred the classic design over the initial beta’s mostly white face. These swift adjustments, made just two weeks after the initial beta release, highlight Apple’s attentiveness to developer and user feedback.
How to Access the New Feature
To experience these changes, developers can install macOS Tahoe Beta 2 from Apple’s Developer Center. After installation, the new menu bar background setting can be toggled within System Settings under Appearance. This feature offers flexibility, allowing users to switch between full transparency and a solid background based on their preferences and wallpaper choices.
Looking Ahead
Apple plans to release a public beta of macOS Tahoe in July, with the final version expected in the fall alongside iOS 26 and new Mac hardware. The introduction of the menu bar background option underscores Apple’s dedication to refining user experience, ensuring that the latest macOS iteration is both visually appealing and functionally accessible.
