Apple redesigns its operating systems with ‘Liquid Glass’ at WWDC 25

At WWDC 2025, Apple introduced a captivating update to its operating systems, showcasing a new user interface named Liquid Glass. This visually striking design features shiny, reflective, and transparent elements, creating a sleek, modern aesthetic. Inspired by Apple's upcoming VR headset, the Vision Pro, Liquid Glass unifies the visual language across all Apple devices. The redesign hints at a future where Apple's operating system may extend beyond traditional devices like phones and tablets, possibly making its way into augmented reality glasses. Alan Dye, Apple's vice president of design, presented the Liquid Glass interface, marking the most significant visual transformation in iOS since the departure from skeuomorphic design in iOS 7. While skeuomorphism aimed to replicate real-world objects, the introduction of flat design simplified the interface with clean lines and vibrant icons. Over the years, iOS's flat design evolved, incorporating glossy and semi-translucent layers. Dye emphasized that the new Liquid Glass design offers optical clarity and fluidity unique to Apple. This interface adapts in real-time to user interactions, enhancing navigation and control. It reacts dynamically to movement and content, providing a lively user experience. The translucent display behaves like actual glass, adjusting its color based on the environment and user content. Notifications and context menus expand interactively, creating an intuitive experience across system features like the Lock Screen, Notifications, and Control Center, as well as app icons. Notably, the Lock Screen will feature time displayed in a glassy San Francisco typeface that dynamically adjusts based on the background image. Additionally, the iPhone will transform 2D photos into immersive spatial scenes with 3D effects, harmonizing perfectly with the Liquid Glass interface. Liquid Glass also enhances the Apple Music experience with animated player controls that respond to artists’ visual content, similar to features offered by competitors like Spotify. This innovative interface will not be limited to iOS 26 but will extend to iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26. Developers will have the opportunity to create applications using Liquid Glass materials through SwiftUI, UIKit, AppKit, and new APIs, paving the way for a new era of app development within the Apple ecosystem.