At WWDC 2025, Apple introduced a major visual overhaul across its entire ecosystem with the debut of the new Liquid Glass design interface—a universal aesthetic framework that will power iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26. This marks Apple’s biggest design evolution since the flat redesign introduced with iOS 7 over a decade ago.
Inspired by visionOS, the Liquid Glass design introduces an entirely new translucent material that emulates the look and behavior of real glass. According to Apple, this advanced UI material reacts dynamically in real time, reflecting and refracting colors and shapes from the content behind it. This immersive glass-like effect extends system-wide—from buttons and sliders to tab bars, sidebars, and core app interfaces.
The design is more than a cosmetic change. Developed through deep collaboration between Apple’s design and engineering teams, Liquid Glass intelligently adapts to both light and dark environments. This creates a sense of depth and fluid motion while maintaining clarity and usability.
The refreshed visual language also introduces a rounded-corner aesthetic, replacing traditional rectangular toolbars and app windows. In-app Liquid Glass controls float above applications and expand intuitively when additional functions are needed. Notifications, Control Center, Lock Screen elements, and the Home Screen all feature this new material, offering a seamless look across all devices.
On iPadOS and macOS, Liquid Glass sidebars now visually respond to scrolling, expanding and refracting surrounding content for added dimensionality. This responsiveness elevates the browsing and navigation experience, especially in multitasking environments.
Liquid Glass design is now present in major Apple apps including Safari, FaceTime, Camera, Apple News, Apple Podcasts, Apple Music, and Photos. The design overhaul extends to macOS Tahoe 26 where users can personalize their desktops with widgets and icons that adapt to the new translucent light and dark styles. A new transparent menu bar has also been introduced for Mac, reinforcing the fluid design approach.
This unified design system reflects Apple’s commitment to intuitive elegance, enhanced personalisation, and immersive interaction—setting a new standard for UI across all its platforms.
