If you’ve updated your iPhone to iOS 26.1 and noticed a bright white border around icons, text, or items on the screen, you’re not alone. This issue has been widely reported by users, but fortunately, it’s easy to fix. The white outline is linked to an accessibility option, which can be turned off in just a few simple steps. Here’s how to get rid of the distracting white borders:
Turn Off “Show Borders” In Settings
The white borders are typically activated by an older accessibility setting. To remove them:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Select Display & Text Size.
- Scroll down until you find the option Show Borders.
- Toggle this setting off.
Once you turn this option off, the white borders will immediately disappear from your iPhone’s interface. You do not need to restart your phone or close any apps to see the changes.
Why This Happens
The white border can appear because of accessibility features that were enabled in previous iOS versions. Many people activate these features for things like warmer colors, higher contrast, or better text visibility but forget about them over time. When you update to a new iOS version like iOS 26.1, these old settings may appear differently, resulting in a white border around icons.
Sometimes, influencer videos or quick tips on platforms like TikTok may encourage users to enable multiple display settings to improve visibility. These suggestions can lead to unexpected interface changes that become noticeable only after a new update.
When Accessibility Settings Stay On After Updates
After major iOS updates, accessibility settings from previous versions often carry over. While these settings might have been useful previously, they can sometimes look out of place with the new design introduced in updates like iOS 26.1. It’s a good practice to review your Accessibility settings after each update, especially in the Display & Text Size section, to ensure you’re comfortable with the appearance of your screen.
Should You Reset All Settings?
While most users can resolve the white border issue by simply turning off Show Borders, some might prefer a more drastic approach and reset all settings.
- To do this:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset All Settings.
- This action will reset system preferences, Wi-Fi networks, and privacy settings but won’t delete your data.
However, resetting all settings is typically unnecessary unless your interface looks unusual or other settings are misbehaving in ways that you can’t easily track.
Quick Checklist for Fixing the White Border
- Open Settings > Accessibility > Display & Text Size.
- Turn Show Borders off.
- Check your Home Screen and apps to ensure the white border is gone.
- Review any other display options you might have enabled in older iOS versions.
- If the problem persists, consider Reset All Settings as a last step.
Conclusion
If the white border in iOS 26.1 has been annoying, turning off the Show Borders option will restore a cleaner, more standard look to your iPhone display. This small adjustment should solve the problem quickly and easily, giving you back a more seamless user experience without having to wait for another update.
