Apple has unveiled at WWDC 2025 a radical visual change for all its operating systems. Under the name Liquid Glass, the new design approach reimagines the user interface in iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26 and tvOS 26, with the goal of unify the experience and give prominence to the content on all platforms in the Apple ecosystem.
The software update presented by the Cupertino company has meant the biggest visual transformation since iOS 7. If in 2013 Apple was betting on a flat and minimalist aesthetic, now it is taking a turn towards a translucent and dynamic appearance inspired by visionOS, the Apple Vision Pro system. The result is an interface in which transparencies, reflections and depth effects They simulate the behavior of liquid glass, creating a sensation of lightness and modernity.
An all-encompassing design language
The new material that gives this update its name, Liquid glass, covers everything from the smallest controls to sidebars, tabs, and widgets. Visual elements they acquire the appearance of crystal and dynamically reflect the colors and details of the background. This way, menus, notifications, toolbars, and other controls they "float" about the content, without hiding it, and They adapt to both light and dark mode.
This design is not just cosmetic: It also improves navigation and interactionMore accessible menus, widgets that integrate better with the environment, and elements that resize smoothly make the experience more intuitive. For the first time, all Apple operating systems share a consistent visual style, which facilitates the transition between devices.
Liquid Glass in action: devices and applications
The Liquid Glass aesthetic stands out especially in key elements such as the lock screen and Control Center iPhone, where transparency allows you to see the wallpaper while still allowing access to controls. Notifications, now translucent, display animated reflections and change color based on the background, providing dynamism and customization.
In iPadOS and macOS, the sidebars and Dock have been redesigned with this new material, creating a greater sense of continuity between the desktop, apps, and widgets. In tvOS and watchOS, Liquid Glass brings a modern touch to menus, widgets, and notifications, making the interface more immersive.
Furthermore, Apps like Phone, Safari, Camera, Photos, and Messages have incorporated the new design, with improvements to the layout of menus and buttons. For example, in Photos, widgets and navigation adapt to transparency effects, while in Safari, the address bar visually blends in with the website on screen.
Accessibility and Personalization: Apple Listens to the User
Despite its visual appeal, the first betas of iOS 26 have shown readability difficulties in some contexts, especially when the wallpaper makes it difficult to distinguish text or controls. Apple has responded by including a specific option in the accessibility settings for reduce transparencyWith this setting, interface elements regain opacity, improving contrast and making them easier to read for people with visual impairments or those who prefer a clearer display.
This approach allows to find a balance between spectacularity and usability, demonstrating Apple's attention to the needs of different user profiles. Furthermore, the ability to customize the level of transparency and other visual aspects allows each user to adapt the system to their preferences.
New era in smart features and compatibility
The redesign with Liquid Glass comes with a unification in numbering of Apple's operating systems, which now coincide with the year (e.g. iOS 26, macOS 26), and the integration of new functions powered by artificial intelligence. One of the most relevant is Simultaneous translation on calls, FaceTime and Messages, which allows you to maintain fluid conversations with people who speak different languages, even in real time and within your own device.
New features are also incorporated such as AI training assistants on watchOS —the new Workout Buddy—, improvements to key app organization, advanced widget integration, and new possibilities for customizing backgrounds and emojis thanks to automatic image generation, or Genmoji.
This combination of renewed interface and smart features This marks an important step for Apple, which seeks to remain competitive in the face of the rise of artificial intelligence in the sector and respond to growing user demands.
The evolution to Liquid Glass reflects the continued priority of visual appeal and user experience, while the integration of AI and new accessibility tools demonstrate Apple's commitment to delivering a more customizable and advanced ecosystem.