IOS and iPadoS 26.3.1 released

But you can minimize it.

I've been holding off on updating my iPads (six total) for as long as I could, I updated one to 26.3 (an iPad mini 6), used for about a week and found it to not be as bad as some people are making it out to be. I decided on biting the bullet and updating since I will have no choice in the matter anyways next year (* see below). I figured, just get it over with and get used to it. There are settings to minimize the fancy "effects" (which I really don't care for):

Use "Tinted" for Liquid Glass (Display & Settings)
Use "Increase Contrast" (Accessibility)
Use "Reduce Transparency" (Accessibility)
Use a dark background (my backgrounds have always been dark)

There are still icons that will have the silly glass effect but again, I'm not sitting and looking at/scrutinizing icons all day using it.

I will also note that it runs just fine even on an iPad mini 5...that iPad (as well as the mini 6) doesn't support the silly Apple AI that I'm not a fan of either so at least that is not forced onto those devices.

* Note that if one is still on 18.7 (as I was), you can no longer update to any of the higher 18.7.x versions. If you are stuck on 18.7, your iPad will lose some functionality (no iCloud access or being able to activate the iPad for whatever reason) in Jan 2027 since some expiring security certificates will no longer be valid at that point in time.

If one is still on 18.7 (as I was), your only recourse is to update to 26.x (or 27 when it's released later this year).

Apple is recognizing that Liquid Glass is not a fan favorite so the next version will have another setting to tone it down. See https://www.phonearena.com/news/liquid-glass-was-so-bad-that...

keeping up with upgrades on my 13 Pro.

I have found that I cannot get a free phone/no trade, with an existing line, despite getting emails that I can. I was considering google pixel because email said free no trade.

I had to remove the entire year of 2019 of videos and pics, and once I did, I've been able to upgrade ever since.

What I've noticed is that by upgrading? The mysterious whatever it's called, docs and data that one can never delete, frees up. I gained around 5 gb going from 18 to 26. My son's 16 Pro lost 10 gb due to some AI?

Anyway for those of us on older phones with storage maxed out who don't want to buy a new phone (it can be free if you are willing to get a new line i.e. change numbers but so much rides on it with 2 factor), imho the upgrade frees space. Even a little between the dot releases. jmoymmv

https://www.thephotostick.com/pages/get-thephotostick-omni-s...