Apple's Always On Display has been a staple since the iPhone 14 Pro, but iOS 26 introduces a subtle yet impactful tweak. The system now blurs your Lock Screen wallpaper by default, a change designed to make the clock and widgets stand out more clearly on the dimmed screen.

This adjustment alters the feature's core appeal for many users. Previously, the display simply dimmed your chosen wallpaper, preserving the personal touch of your lock screen setup. The new blur effect prioritizes readability over aesthetics, which some may feel undermines the purpose of having a photo visible at all.

Fortunately, Apple provides an out. Users can navigate to Settings > Display & Brightness > Always On Display to disable the blur and revert to the original, fully clear wallpaper behavior. This gives owners control over balancing utility and personalization, a familiar trade-off in Apple's software design.