Apple unveiled a major redesign of its operating systems at WWDC. The update introduces the new Apple Liquid Glass UI across iOS 26, macOS 26 Tahoe, iPadOS, and more. Inspired by the Vision Pro’s visuals, this design adds translucent elements and revamped icons to unify Apple’s platforms. The new UI uses layers of transparency and real-time rendering. It adapts to surrounding content and switches smoothly between light and dark modes. Buttons, toolbars, and controls feature rounded corners matching the iPhone’s display. They also shrink to keep key content visible. The layers help users see more information without relearning the interface.
In iOS 26, the home screen is completely refreshed. New app icons and wallpapers dynamically scale to fit photos and album art. Floating buttons make controls easier to spot without cluttering the screen. Important apps like Phone and Camera have been redesigned. The Phone app gains Call Screening and Hold Assist, similar to AI tools on Google Pixel devices. The Camera app offers simple swipes to switch between photo and video. It also adds a dedicated library tab and better album organization.
macOS 26 Tahoe focuses on customization with Liquid Glass widgets and icons. Menu bars are now transparent to make screens feel larger. The Control Center gets new folder colors, app icons, and widgets. Apple also introduces a new Games app for easy access to games and friends. This app features an overlay for quick game launches and discovery.
CarPlay and CarPlay Ultra receive matching visual upgrades. The home screen and widgets adopt the translucent design. Users can pin favorite conversations and reply quickly with new “tapback” responses. Incoming calls no longer fill the whole screen. Instead, they show in a small, unobtrusive window.
Apple’s Liquid Glass UI update enhances both style and usability. It will roll out when the next versions of Apple’s software release later this year.
READ: iOS 26: Exciting Features, Live Translation, and More
