 |
| Liquid Glass interface on iPhone showing translucent controls and layered background effects. |
Apple has unveiled a sweeping new design language called Liquid Glass, introduced during WWDC 2025. Described as its most significant visual update since iOS 7 in 2013, Liquid Glass will roll out across all major platforms including iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26 this fall.
The design is built around a dynamic, translucent material that changes based on context. It uses real-time rendering and visual layering to give buttons, menus, widgets, and other interface elements a glass-like appearance that reflects the environment around them. This effect will be consistent across light and dark modes, aiming to provide a more cohesive and immersive user experience.
While Apple is promoting the new look as a breakthrough in design, early feedback has been mixed. Some users have raised concerns about readability and accessibility, especially in areas like Control Centre and notifications. Critics argue that the high transparency can make text hard to read and distract from usability.
.png) |
| Apple executive Craig Federighi discussing the Liquid Glass interface at WWDC 2025. |
Beyond its immediate visual impact, Liquid Glass signals Apple’s long-term vision for a unified design across physical and spatial computing devices. Developers will be able to integrate the new look into their apps using updated tools in SwiftUI, UIKit, and AppKit. The design shift also aligns with expectations of future Apple products such as AR glasses, suggesting a visual foundation for new categories of devices.
The public beta for Liquid Glass arrives in July, with a full release planned for later this year.