Apple has ushered in a new era of software design with the introduction of 'Liquid Glass,' a comprehensive visual overhaul unveiled at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2025 on June 9.
The redesign represents Apple's most significant interface change in over a decade, replacing the flat design language introduced by former design chief Jony Ive with iOS 7 in 2013. Liquid Glass brings a translucent, reflective aesthetic across all Apple platforms, creating a more cohesive experience between devices while maintaining each platform's unique characteristics.
Inspired by the depth and dimensionality of visionOS (the operating system for Apple Vision Pro), Liquid Glass features interface elements that behave like real glass - with translucency, reflections, and subtle lighting effects. According to Apple's VP of Human Interface Design Alan Dye, the new material 'reflects and refracts its surroundings, while dynamically transforming to help bring greater focus to content.'
The redesign extends to all aspects of the interface, from buttons and menus to app icons and widgets. The Camera app has been simplified with a cleaner, more intuitive layout, while system apps like Photos now feature floating menus and navigation bars that showcase the translucent design. The new aesthetic also includes subtle light effects that respond to device movement, creating what Apple describes as 'a more lively experience.'
In a notable shift, Apple is also changing its software naming convention, moving from version numbers to a year-based system. iOS 26 (rather than iOS 19) will be the platform for September 2025 through September 2026, with all other operating systems following the same pattern: iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26.
While the visual redesign took center stage, Apple also announced updates to Apple Intelligence, its AI platform. New features include enhanced translation capabilities, AI-powered battery management, and improved Shortcuts functionality. Developers will gain access to on-device AI models through a new Foundation Models framework, allowing third-party apps to leverage Apple Intelligence capabilities.