Apple unveils Liquid Glass design across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, watchOS 26 and more

During the highly anticipated WWDC 2025 event, Apple revealed a groundbreaking design overhaul known as Liquid Glass that will be implemented across its entire range of software platforms. This innovative design will be featured on iPhones with iOS 26, iPads running iPadOS 26, Macs equipped with macOS Tahoe 26, Apple Watches on watchOS 26, and Apple TVs using tvOS 261. Liquid Glass is a remarkable translucent material that adapts to the surrounding elements on the screen, dynamically reflecting and bending light in real time. This responsive feature enhances user focus by altering the interface based on activity and content. For the first time, Apple has unified its design approach across all devices while maintaining distinct characteristics for each product. The new design introduces smoother buttons, sliders, and controls that seamlessly integrate with the rounded corners of Apple hardware. These elements are now presented as a separate layer above applications, adapting to user interactions. For instance, in iOS 26, tab bars intelligently shrink when scrolling down, maximizing screen space for content, and expand again when scrolling up. On iPads and Macs, sidebars have received a facelift, now reflecting the wallpaper and content behind them, enhancing the user experience and spatial awareness within apps. Major interface areas, including the Lock Screen, Home Screen, and Control Center, have been revamped to align with the Liquid Glass aesthetic. Notably, the time display on the Lock Screen adjusts to fit behind subjects in photo wallpapers, while the Mac menu bar is fully transparent, creating a more immersive viewing area. Users will also enjoy the ability to customize their Dock and desktop with vibrant themes and dynamic widgets. The Liquid Glass design extends to various applications including Camera, Safari, Photos, and Apple Music, providing a polished and contemporary appearance. To facilitate this transition, Apple is equipping developers with updated tools and APIs for SwiftUI, UIKit, and AppKit, making it easier to incorporate the new design elements into their applications. The Liquid Glass design is set to launch later this year alongside the official release of Apple’s updated operating systems.