How to add borders around system elements on iPhone, iPad, Mac

In this brief tutorial, we show you how to enable a buried accessibility feature to add border around interface elements like buttons, app toolbar, windows, etc., or make them easier to see.

If you have difficulty distinguishing between the buttons, controls, and window boundaries on macOS, iOS, or watchOS, there is a lesser-known ‘Show Borders’ toggle that can help.

Turning it on adds a thin border or colored shade around certain elements, so you can easily differentiate them from the background (which could be transparent or translucent). In some app elements, enabling this can also show underlines, as shown in the screenshot below.

The Show Borders feature was recently added to Mac with the latest macOS 27 Golden Gate update. But on the iPhone side of things, I also see this on my device running iOS 26.

Mac

1. Update your Mac to macOS 27 Golden Gate.
2. Open System Settings.
3. Select Accessibility.
4. Click Display.
5. Turn on Show Borders.

You’ll instantly see a dark thin border around the System Settings search bar, navigation buttons, and more. Similarly, the top toolbar in apps like Pages will also get a clearly distinguishable boundary.

Note: macOS 26 Tahoe has a Show Toolbar Button Shapes option in macOS Accessibility settings, which is no longer there on macOS 27; I think the Show Borders option makes up for it.

iPhone or iPad

1. Open iOS Settings.
2. Tap Accessibility.
3. Tap Display & Text Size.
4. Turn on Show Borders.

Unlike macOS, you may not see many changes on this screen. But notice the back button, which drops Liquid Glass shine for a proper border.

Then, in the iOS Files app, you’ll notice gray circles behind the arrows, as shown in the screenshot below.

You’ll notice several such minor changes throughout iOS and most apps.

Apple Watch

1. Open watchOS Settings.
2. Tap Accessibility.
3. Turn on Show Borders.

If you still have trouble seeing things, adjust the Liquid Glass level throughout the interface.

And if that’s not enough, you can turn on Increase Contrast and Reduce Transparency, which should certainly help.