Apple Unveils iOS 26 with “Liquid Glass” Design at WWDC 2025
Apple’s WWDC is here and with it comes some of the company’s biggest operational developments – along with confirmation of when you can check them out in beta. This year’s WWDC brings the awaited news of a visual overhaul that is platform-wide, with changes like round icons on the home screen and Control Center.
The company has launched its first major redesign since iOS 7, calling it “our broadest design update ever.” The new uniform design across all devices includes a new material called liquid glass. This translucent design theme shows up across OSes on widgets, icons and even through a new all-clear mode, available alongside the light and dark modes.
Apple has further confirmed the rumors that it’s changing the names of its operating systems.So, rather of getting the iOS 19 this fall, it will be the iOS 26, representing Apple’s system for the year ahead. The same is true for all other devices’ operating systems, like the iPadOS 26, MacOS 26 and so on. However, Apple is sticking with its California-themed names for MacOS, naming the next version Tahoe.
WWDC has revealed a range of iOS 26 updates, including typing indicators for group chats and live translations on iMessage, FaceTime and calls, even if the other person doesn’t have an iPhone.
so, when can you see some of these changes for yourself? Betas for all of Apple’s platforms (iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS and tvOS) are available today through the Apple Developer Program, while a public beta should roll our next month through the Apple Beta Software Program.
iOS 26: What You Need to Know
Apple’s iOS 26 represents a significant shift in the company’s design beliefs, introducing a new “liquid glass” aesthetic and unified experience across its ecosystem. This update, unveiled at WWDC 2025, aims to provide a more seamless and intuitive user interface. the public beta is slated for release next month,allowing users to test the new features before the official launch. Apple Newsroom and Apple Developer are the official sources for these announcements.
Key Aspects of iOS 26
- Liquid Glass Design: A translucent design theme affecting widgets, icons, and modes across all Apple operating systems.
- Unified OS Naming: Aligning operating system names with the year of release (e.g., iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26).
- New Features: Includes typing indicators in group chats and live translation capabilities in iMessage and FaceTime.
Mini-Timeline
- Today: Developer beta release across all Apple platforms.
- Next Month: Public beta release for iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS.
- Fall 2025: Official release of iOS 26 and other updated operating systems.
long-Term Trend
Apple’s user base has steadily grown over the past decade, with over 1.65 billion active devices worldwide as of early 2025,indicating a strong demand for Apple’s ecosystem and continued interest in its software updates. statista and Apple Newsroom confirm this trend.
Frequently Asked questions
- what is “liquid glass” design?
- It’s a new translucent design theme that Apple is implementing across all of its operating systems, affecting widgets, icons, and even system modes.
- When can I try the iOS 26 beta?
- The developer beta is available today,and the public beta is expected to be released next month.
- Will my older iPhone be compatible with iOS 26?
- Compatibility details will be released closer to the official launch,but Apple typically supports devices for several years.
- What are some of the new features in iOS 26?
- new features include typing indicators for group chats and live translation capabilities in iMessage and FaceTime.
- Why is Apple changing the OS naming convention?
- Apple is aligning the operating system names with the year of release for clearer versioning.
Sources
