Liquid Glass design and new software names As was expected, Apple revealed a new visual design language coming to all of its operating systems dubbed Liquid Glass.
Instead of iOS 19, for example, we’ll have iOS 26 coming out this fall.
iOS 26 The changes coming to iOS 26 are subtle, but they give it a clean look and feel, with lots of overlapping elements, rounded corners and more.
Games app iOS 26 will feature a dedicated Games app as well.
iPadOS 26 iPadOS 26 will feature a Liquid Glass redesign along with most of the new features detailed for iOS 26, including the revamped Phone and Games apps.
Fans were given a preview of the changes they can anticipate seeing later this year on their iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, and Mac computers during Apple’s WWDC 2025 keynote this week. This year, Liquid Glass—Apple’s new design language that will be incorporated into all of its devices in the upcoming software updates—was the main attraction. The UI changes give most elements a semi-translucent appearance while concentrating on increasing productivity and simplifying things. Additionally, most of the latest updates come with Apple Intelligence features, so users can anticipate seeing redesigned apps, updated widgets, and more. Here is everything that Apple revealed at this year’s WWDC 2025.
New software names and the design of Liquid Glass.
Liquid Glass, a new visual design language that will be available across all of Apple’s operating systems, was unsurprisingly unveiled. This new system, which includes semi-translucent features like redesigned widgets, notifications, and more, was dubbed its “broadest” design update to date. Compared to the previous design language, Apple claims that this one is more dynamic and will further increase consistency across all operating systems, including iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.
Apple is also changing the names of all its operating systems in addition to the redesign. For instance, iOS 26 will be released this autumn in place of iOS 19. For the first time, Apple has assigned year identifiers to its software updates rather than random generation numbers, and iPadOS 26, watchOS 26, and other versions will follow suit.
iOS 26. .
With many overlapping elements, rounded corners, and other subtle changes, iOS 26 will have a clean look and feel. According to Apple, the operating system that drives Vision Pro headsets, visionOS, served as inspiration for the design. Toolbars and text inputs appear see-through, but app icons have a slightly different appearance. The fact that things are essentially the same will please people; you shouldn’t have any trouble recognizing important apps like FaceTime, Messages, or the Phone.
smartphone app.
In addition, the Phone app is undergoing its most significant redesign since the original iPhone was released all those years ago. You can browse through important contacts, recent calls, and voicemail messages on a single screen thanks to its emphasis on scrolling. You can quickly access the keypad and other contacts via a translucent bar at the bottom of the screen. A recent addition, Hold Assist, will mute hold music while maintaining call connectivity until a caller answers.
Communications.
Additionally, Messages is getting some new features, such as the ability to customize the background color of group messages and polls among group chat participants. One of the new screening features is “unknown senders,” which isolates those annoying spam messages in a different section of Messages so you can focus on the most important conversations and disregard the irrelevant ones.
All software updates include Apple Intelligence features, and Messages has some that are related to Genmoji. It will be possible to create a completely new, personalized Genmoji in iOS 26 by combining two pre-existing emoji. Additionally, you can use ChatGPT to create Genmoji.
When you type a message, it will automatically translate it into the recipient’s preferred language. This feature is also coming to messages. FaceTime will also have functional live captions, and Apple Music will get live translation and live pronunciation capabilities to enable users to enjoy music in other languages. Third-party developers will also be able to incorporate the Call Translation API into their communication apps.
Wallet and Maps.
As it learns your routine, Apple Maps will be able to recommend different routes based on traffic. In order to help you locate locations you wish to return to, it will also record the cities, landmarks, and businesses you have visited.
In addition, the Wallet app will support Digital ID, which enables you to generate a digital ID that differs from your passport and driver’s license and that some places may use to confirm your identity. During your flight, you will also have the ability to add updated boarding passes to Wallet.
apps for games.
Additionally, iOS 26 will have a dedicated Games app. It will have a dedicated Apple Arcade tab with all of the games that are part of that service, as well as a Library tab with all of the games you have ever downloaded for iOS. With the new Challenges feature, you can play supported games—including single-player games created by developers—against friends.
Intelligence that is visual.
The interface of iOS 26 is becoming more and more integrated with Visual Intelligence, enabling you to visually search for anything that appears on your iPhone screen. For example, you can use the new Visual Intelligence image search feature to look for similar jackets on the web and in other apps if you see an image of one on your social media feed. You can further hone the search by highlighting specific regions of your screenshot.
watchOS 26.
Workout Buddy will be available on your wrist with watchOS 26, along with the Liquid-Glass visual update. In real time while you’re exercising, the new feature will examine your past fitness data and find insights. It functions as a kind of audio coach that can tell you things like how far you’ve run, how fast you’re running on average, and how those compare to other runs you’ve done. Depending on the kind of workout you’re doing, the new Apple Music integration can also select playlists for you.
Depending on your routine, the Apple Watch’s Smart Stack will prioritize the information that is most important to you. To start your training session right away, for instance, a Smart Stack hint will show up on your watch as soon as you enter your gym. This hint will direct you to the workout app.
macOS Tahoe.
The upcoming version of Apple’s desktop operating system, macOS Tahoe, maintains the company’s long-standing California naming scheme. The design language of Liquid Glass is prominent here, but most items will appear familiar to seasoned Mac users, albeit with a rounded, semi-translucent edge. In addition to changing the color of their desktop folders and adding emojis, users will be able to create custom backgrounds.
The macOS Tahoe version of the iOS Phone app will enhance Mac computers’ calling capabilities. You can access your contacts and voicemail messages more conveniently with it, and it will support all of the new features that the iOS 26 Phone app will have, such as Hold Assist.
The Shortcuts application, which incorporates Apple Intelligence into the current Shortcuts program, will soon have intelligent actions. By doing this, you can create your own AI-powered shortcuts and access Apple Intelligence models on-device. Likewise, macOS Tahoe will make Spotlight more robust, enabling you to use and carry out multi-step shortcuts and actions straight from Spotlight search without having to switch between apps. In the most recent software update, you can also use Spotlight to view your clipboard history.
iPad OS 26.
Along with the majority of the new features listed for iOS 26, such as the updated Phone and Games apps, iPadOS 26 will be redesigned with Liquid Glass. One feature that sets the iPad apart is a new menu bar and windowing system that greatly resembles macOS in terms of appearance and feel. It should therefore enhance multitasking, which iPad power users have long desired. Windows can be resized, snapped to different corners, or temporarily swiped away to reveal your home screen. According to Apple, the window system is made to function equally well with trackpads on compatible accessories or touch input.
The iPad’s Files app will have the same customizable color options as the new macOS Tahoe, along with an updated list view. Additionally, you will have the ability to select which applications or programs you wish to use to open specific files. For instance, you can choose to open an image in Photoshop instead of the default program. In addition, the latest software update for iPads will include a new Preview app. This app, a mainstay on macOS, will enable native PDF editing, annotation, and management on Apple tablets.
Podcasters and similar users will benefit from a number of new features in iPadOS 26, such as the ability to record “studio quality” vocals using AirPods. To begin and end the recordings they are making on their iPads, users will also be able to press and hold their AirPods. Furthermore, a new local capture feature will allow users to record their video on iPads for purposes such as remote group podcasts by integrating with video conferencing apps.
OS 26 Vision.
New spatial experiences and Apple Intelligence features will be included in the upcoming software update for Vision Pro systems. With visionOS 26, spatial widgets will be available. For example, you can place a calendar widget in your field of vision in Vision Pro and it will remain there while you move around. The new Widgets visionOS app will support spatial widgets, which can be used by both native and third-party apps.
A new feature in Vision Pro called “spatial scenes” uses artificial intelligence (AI) to make your photos come to life in front of you. Additionally, spatial scenes can be applied to photos you view while browsing; for instance, they can make travel photos you view while planning your next trip appear even more realistic.
The most exciting news about visionOS is probably that it will enable the Vision Pro headset to be used with PlayStation VR2 Sense controllers. The absence of compatible controllers was a major barrier to Vision Pro’s success, so this will increase its competitiveness in the gaming market. Additionally, the latest software update will enable eye-scrolling on the Vision Pro, enabling users to navigate webpages, apps, documents, and more with just their eyes.
iOS 26.
