iOS 26 Brings a Subtle Yet Significant Change to the Always-On Display

When Apple introduced the Always-On Display (AOD) with the iPhone 14 Pro, it quickly became a fan-favorite. The feature allowed users to glance at their phones for essentials like the time, date, widgets, and notifications—all without waking the screen. Instead of going completely black, the display would dim, keeping everything visible but energy-efficient.

Over the years, Apple refined the feature with options like hiding the wallpaper or disabling notifications, giving users a balance between functionality and personalization.

What’s New in iOS 26?

With iOS 26, Apple has quietly reworked how the Always-On Display looks. Instead of simply dimming the Lock Screen wallpaper, the system now blurs it by default. This adjustment makes the clock and widgets much more legible, but it also alters the overall aesthetic. For users who loved showcasing their wallpaper, this might feel like a downgrade—after all, what’s the point of setting a photo if it ends up blurred?

Thankfully, Apple anticipated this concern. In Settings > Display & Brightness > Always-On Display, you’ll now find a toggle that lets you disable the blur and revert to the original dimmed-wallpaper behavior. This small change ensures users have the flexibility to decide between clarity and visual style.

Every iOS update inspires many iPhone users to upgrade their devices and experience Apple’s latest innovations. But upgrading often comes with a major challenge: moving data from an old phone to a new one.

That’s where the Smart Transfer app comes in. As a reliable third-party smart switch solution, Smart Transfer’s content transfer feature allows users to wirelessly transfer photos, videos, contacts, and more between devices—whether switching from iPhone to iPhone, Android to iPhone, or vice versa. Unlike complicated cloud systems, Smart Transfer copy data works quickly over Wi-Fi, giving you a hassle-free migration so you can enjoy iOS 26’s refinements like the new Always-On Display without worrying about data loss.

Why the Change Matters

Apple’s decision to blur wallpapers by default likely comes down to readability and focus. A blurred background allows widgets, notifications, and the time to stand out more clearly, making the Always-On Display more functional. However, the toggle ensures users don’t lose the personal touch that makes iOS customization so appealing.

A Consistent Experience With Added Control

The Always-On Display still behaves the same under specific conditions—it will turn off when your iPhone is face down, covered, in CarPlay, using Continuity Camera, or when Low Power Mode or Sleep Focus is enabled. The biggest difference in iOS 26 is simply the default visual style, which now favors utility over design unless users switch it back.

Final Thoughts

While the Always-On Display in iOS 26 doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it does highlight Apple’s ongoing mission: to refine usability while still leaving room for personalization. The blurred wallpaper default may divide opinions, but the added toggle ensures every user can tailor the feature to their liking. And with apps like Smart Transfer, upgrading to a new iPhone becomes smoother, keeping your memories and data intact while you explore Apple’s latest features.