What is Liquid Glass? Apple’s Biggest Design Change from WWDC 2025 for All Devices

Apple Devices Will Now Look And Feel More Connected With Liquid Glass

At WWDC 2025 Apple introduced a new design system called Liquid Glass for all it’s devices. This is not just a visual update, but a complete change in Apple’s old design style OS. It will come with iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26 update in all Apple devices. This new liquid glass look focuses on transparency, smooth effects, and modern layers, and gives all Apple devices a more connected and fresh experience. This change is being compared to the big design shift seen in iOS 7 back in 2013.

Why Did Apple Create Liquid Glass?

Tim Cook described this new design as “expressive” and “instantly familiar.” Apple wants people to quickly recognize the design across all their devices. This new interface is made in a way that looks good and works well.

Liquid Glass behaves like real glass. Its appearance changes based on light or dark mode and matches the colors of the content around it. Earlier, Apple devices had different design styles, but now with Liquid Glass, every Apple product will have the same design feel.

How Liquid Glass Will Look and Work on Each Device

iOS 26 Look on iPhone

Apple introduces Liquid Glass design on iOS #WWDC25 pic.twitter.com/895Mk0sP0w

— Apple Hub (@theapplehub) June 9, 2025

With iOS 26, iPhone users will see a new layered design where app icons and system UI look transparent. Lock screen numbers and keyboard keys will show a soft droplet animation when tapped, making the interface feel more alive. The Control Center will also have a blur effect that gives a sense of depth.

macOS and iPadOS Look

In iPadOS 26 and macOS Tahoe, Apple has used Liquid Glass in full. On iPads, sidebars and widgets will float slightly above the background. In macOS Tahoe, the menu bar will be see-through, and users can customize desktop widgets. These changes make the interface look clean and modern.

Apple Watch and Apple TV Look

watchOS 26 and tvOS 26 will also show the Liquid Glass design. On the Apple Watch, items like notifications and app previews will have depth and look consistent. On Apple TV, the same transparent effects and animations will be used, so the whole Apple system feels united.

What Has Apple Done for Developers?

To help app makers match this new design, Apple has updated its tools like SwiftUI, UIKit, and AppKit with new APIs. This means developers can now build their apps with the same transparent and layered design. The Human Interface Guidelines have also been updated so that apps and system features can work together visually.

This update is not just about looks, but it also changes how users interact with the system. The animations, layers, and color matching features help apps and the system work better together.

Why Did Apple Launch Liquid Glass Now?

Apple launched Liquid Glass as part of a big plan for the future. There are two main reasons behind this:

1. Making Full Use of Hardware

Thanks to Apple’s new A18 and M-series chips, these advanced designs can now work smoothly. Transparency and animations now run in real-time without any lag.

2. Preparing for Future Devices

Apple says Liquid Glass is the base for their future devices. Reports say Apple is planning to launch an all-glass iPhone by 2027, called Glasswing. Liquid Glass is seen as the first step toward that device.

Liquid Glass: A New Chapter in Apple’s Design

This new layout is a big step in Apple’s design journey. Yes, some users might take time to adjust to the new look, especially when it comes to reading text. But the overall effect looks positive. With public beta testing and developers updating their apps, Liquid Glass is set to be the future design of all Apple devices.

As Apple says the Liquid Glass is not just a look, it is a design plan that removes the gap between software and hardware. It will visually connect every Apple product and give users a smooth and clear experience.

ALSO READ: iOS 26 Features: 5 Big Changes from WWDC 2025 That Every App Developer and Brand Should Act on Now