iOS 26 System Sounds: Are Blind Users Being Left Out Of Apple's Liquid Glass "Design Overhaul"?

By Kyler G, 3 September, 2025

Forum
Apple Beta Releases

Hi everyone,

It's Kyler again. Hope this finds everyone well! I’ve been testing iOS 26 on my iPhone 14 Pro since the beginning of the cycle, and while Apple keeps hyping the new “Liquid Glass” visual design, my experience with VoiceOver feels almost identical to older versions. Yes, a few interface elements have shifted and there are some nice new features, but the system sounds — lock/unlock, charger connect, call hang-up, keyboard clicks — are still straight out of iOS 7.

For sighted users, iOS 26 feels brand new because the visuals have been overhauled. For blind users, it just feels like the same old iOS with a new coat of paint we can’t see. If Apple wants Liquid Glass to be a true design overhaul for everyone, shouldn’t the audio side get refreshed too?

I don’t think Apple needs to throw away the old sounds — they might possibly live in a “Classic” section in Settings, just like old ringtones. But it would be amazing to see a new “Liquid Glass” sound set that reflects the new design language and makes the system feel fresh for VoiceOver users as well.

I’ve already sent this suggestion through Feedback Assistant (FB19557592), but if others here feel the same way, maybe Apple will take it seriously. Would you like to see the core system sounds (lock, charging, calls, typing) updated to match Liquid Glass?

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Comments

By Missy Hoppe on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 - 22:34

I've turned off all VO sounds; I found the clicks it made when swiping through the screen to be exceptionally annoying, so a new sound scheme doesn't really appeal to me. However, I think that for those who do rely on or just enjoy having the VO sound effects, this is a great idea. I'm having trouble imagining what kind of sounds might represent the new liquid glass interface, but I hope Apple considers this idea for a future update. Maybe if the sounds weren't so... promenent? I would re-enable them.

By kool_turk on Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 01:34

You know how it is, if they did that, a lot of people would start complaining.

A classic section would solve that, but then you’d have two sets of sounds taking up even more storage.

Basically, there’s no pleasing everyone, lol.

I’m not too picky. New sounds, old sounds, I’d get used to whatever they do eventually.

By Muhammad Saidinas on Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 02:16

I honestly agree. will be cool if the sound match the theam. I would imagine it would sounds like some smooth futuristic sound effects. I personally like windows 11's sounds, it is still with the same effect as 8 and 10, but it has this, I don't know how to put it, soft and smoothness to it.

By Igna Triay on Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 02:53

I mean, those sounds would take not even a megabite of storage, so storage wouldn't be a concern here, tbh.

By Dennis Long on Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 03:03

There is zero need to refresh the sounds.

By Szilvi on Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 11:52

I wouldn’t be happy with sounds reflecting the new system. The current ones convey exactly the sense of stability that makes it possible to operate the iOS system blindly. (translated from Hungarian with AI)

By Holger Fiallo on Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 12:39

Instead of focussing on that, we need to focus on Apple making sure VO works well. Some of the apple apps VO does not read well and sometimes nothing happens, just get a description of whatever image apple is using on the buttons. Like the old saying goes, sometimes I feel like a nuts sometimes I do not.

By Jonathan Candler on Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 17:02

I don't know but I think we really need to make sure that VO works well instead of adding new and shiny features. I'm all for new sounds but I mean, liquid glass is only, just a visual thing. Ah how I miss the days when I use to be able to jailbreak my phone and customize VO sounds.

By burak on Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 17:37

I would like the ability to add my own sounds as notification sounds into apps such as Whatsapp. additionally, customizing Voiceover sounds to my own liking would be very very cool. But alas I don't think any of what I talked about will be possible.

By Brian on Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 17:42

Hi,

My name is Brian, and I approve of everything Jonathan Candler stated above.

Thank you, that is all.

By Jonathan Candler on Thursday, September 4, 2025 - 21:59

I'm Jonathan Candler and I approve this message. Lol. Sorry, couldn't resist!

By SeasonKing on Friday, September 5, 2025 - 09:50

Doesn't mean I disagree with other opinions, but similar to how sighted people get to make their phones UI look as per their choice, our UI is sound itself, so we should be allowed some freedom and customization in terms of how our device sounds and vibrates for specific actions with Voiceover. Just beautiful voices aren't enough.
Given that minimum storage is 128 gigs these days, and, any of those fancy HD/live wallpapers are likely to consume a significant amount of memory, I don't see why storage should be an argument for against including more sounds or sound themes. We don't complain when Apple provides new wallpapers or ringtones. Do we bother about even deleting them when we are not using them? Further, those glass UI effects themselves are likely to consume more system resources over any kind of additional auditory or haptic feedback.
If it can please eyeballs, it can bloody well please my ears as well.