Apple has once again reshaped the future of personal technology with the announcement of iOS 26, a bold and visually stunning redesign unveiled at Apple WWDC 2025. From the iPhone and iPad to the Mac and Apple Watch, the tech giant has implemented a unified design system that seamlessly blends across devices, all centred around a groundbreaking new material known as Liquid Glass.
The new iOS 26 Apple experience is not just a cosmetic upgrade; it represents the most comprehensive software overhaul since iOS 7. With greater emphasis on content, smoother navigation, and a delightful visual interface, Apple aims to make everyday interactions more intuitive and magical.
Expressive. Delightful. But still instantly familiar.
Introducing our new software design with Liquid Glass. pic.twitter.com/8hA0q2aCTf
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) June 9, 2025
Introducing Liquid Glass: The Future of UI Aesthetics
At the heart of Apple iOS 26 lies Liquid Glass — a translucent, responsive material that reflects and refracts its surroundings in real time. As Alan Dye, Apple’s Vice President of Human Interface Design, explained, “This is our broadest software design update ever. Liquid Glass combines the optical qualities of glass with a fluidity only Apple can achieve.”
This new design language adapts contextually to light and motion, morphing based on user interaction. Whether it’s a button, widget, or navigation bar, elements built with Liquid Glass feel alive. The result is a dynamic user interface that not only looks stunning but also prioritises usability.
Some Headline Features of iOS 26
At the heart of Apple iOS 26 is the expansion of Apple Intelligence, Apple’s proprietary AI technology that runs on-device to protect user privacy. This year, Apple has integrated a suite of new intelligent features designed to make communication, productivity, and everyday tasks easier and more secure.
Some of the headline Apple Intelligence features in iOS 26 include:
- Live audio translation in Messages, FaceTime, and Phone calls, supporting both text and audio in real-time.
- Visual Intelligence that recognises content on screen and suggests context-aware actions, such as adding events to your calendar.
- Integration with popular third-party apps like Google and Etsy for enhanced image and product searches.
- Support for ChatGPT, enabling users to ask questions and get answers directly on their device.
- Automatic summarisation of order tracking emails, providing quick updates without opening multiple apps.
- Fun new tools like Genmoji, which generates personalised emojis, and Image Playground, allowing users to create images easily.
- Smarter shortcuts that adapt based on recent activity to streamline daily routines.
These intelligent features demonstrate Apple’s commitment to blending powerful AI with robust privacy protections, ensuring users benefit from smart assistance without compromising their data.
A Unified Look Across Platforms
The redesign doesn’t stop at iOS 26. The cohesive new aesthetic flows across iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26. Apple’s suite of devices — including the iPhone 16 Pro, MacBook Pro, iPad Pro, Apple Watch Series 10, and Apple TV — all share the same core visual principles, tailored to each device’s unique form and function.
This harmonised design helps users transition between devices without friction. According to Apple SVP Craig Federighi, “When the opportunity to take Liquid Glass and apply it across the system came, it allowed us to go back and answer many of the desires we’ve had as software and hardware evolved over many years.”
iOS 26 Brings Focus Back to Content
In iOS 26, Apple has redesigned apps to reduce clutter and increase focus. The new app interfaces are cleaner and more adaptive. For example, in the Camera app, the UI prominently displays just the Photo and Video modes by default, allowing users to capture content more quickly. Additional features are still accessible but tucked away unless needed.
App icons, widgets, and menus are now crafted from multiple layers of Liquid Glass, which gives them a sense of depth and realism. When scrolling through Safari, users will notice the address bar elegantly refracting the page underneath it — a subtle but immersive touch.
This new design extends to other apps including Apple Music, FaceTime, Photos, Safari, and Apple News, enhancing each experience with refined controls and an intuitive layout.
Apple CEO Tim Cook greets the audience with a wave during the company’s annual Worldwide Developers Conference held today at its headquarters in Cupertino, California. [Credit: Laure Andrillon/Reuters]
Enhanced System Experiences in iOS 26
Apple didn’t stop at apps. With iOS 26, core system experiences such as the Lock Screen, Home Screen, and Control Centre have been completely reimagined. The time display on the Lock Screen is now rendered in Liquid Glass, dynamically adjusting to sit behind subjects in wallpapers for a cleaner, layered look.
The Home Screen features refreshed app icons and a Dock that feels deeply integrated with the rest of the visual interface. In macOS Tahoe 26, the Dock and desktop are fully customisable, offering light, dark, and transparent themes that give users greater control over personalisation.
Even the San Francisco typeface has been fine-tuned. On the Lock Screen, the font dynamically adjusts its weight, width, and height to better integrate with background imagery.
Messages has been enhanced with features to reduce spam and improve group conversations:
- Unknown senders are automatically filtered into a separate folder.
- Custom chat backgrounds add a personal touch.
- Group chats now support polls and typing indicators, so you know when others are responding.
- Apple Cash transactions can be sent directly within chats, making payments seamless.
These updates aim to make communication more efficient, secure, and enjoyable for iPhone users.
The revamped design offers an enjoyable and enhanced experience in apps such as Camera, Photos, Safari, and FaceTime. [Credit: Apple]
Building the Future with iOS 26 APIs
Developers haven’t been left behind. Apple is providing updated APIs in SwiftUI, UIKit, and AppKit to enable developers to adopt the new design easily. By integrating Liquid Glass and the refreshed controls, developers can make their apps feel right at home within the iOS26 ecosystem.
These tools not only empower developers to bring new life to existing apps but also encourage the creation of innovative, immersive experiences.
A Risky Move That Feels Familiar
Despite the sweeping changes, Apple has made it clear that iOS 26 was designed to feel instantly familiar. “We wanted people to pick this up and have it feel very familiar… but also feel very new and fresh,” said Alan Dye.
This duality is perhaps the most impressive aspect of iOS 26 Apple — it is bold yet careful, innovative yet grounded. Apple has shown deep respect for its user base, which exceeds 2.4 billion globally, by ensuring the redesign respects muscle memory and long-standing interface patterns.
When Will iOS 26 Be Available?
Apple is expected to roll out iOS 26 beta versions to developers shortly after WWDC 2025, with a public beta to follow in the coming months. The iOS 26 release date for general users is anticipated to align with the launch of the iPhone 17 in Spring 2025.
In a move that reflects the software’s lifecycle, Apple is also shifting away from traditional version numbers. Going forward, updates will be named after the calendar year of primary usage. So what would have been iOS 19 is now iOS 26, aligning more intuitively with its 2026 deployment.
See you soon #WWDC25! pic.twitter.com/xna3JqcGvp
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) June 9, 2025
Final Thoughts
With iOS 26, Apple has delivered its most ambitious visual update in over a decade. More than just a pretty face, the integration of Liquid Glass, refined navigation, and unified cross-platform design signals a new era for Apple’s software ecosystem.
Whether you’re a long-time user or new to the Apple universe, iOS 26 promises a more immersive, elegant, and functional experience — one that beautifully merges art and technology.
