iOS 26 gets a fresh “Liquid Glass” redesign with new UI elements, improved consistency, and Apple Intelligence updates, shapes, menus, apps all shine.
A Stunning iOS 26 Redesign Built on “Liquid Glass”
Apple has officially lifted the curtain on iOS 26 at WWDC 2025, bringing an all-new visual style that’s set to redefine the look and feel of iPhone software. Dubbed the “Liquid Glass” redesign, this update is being called the most significant iPhone makeover since iOS 7.
New “Liquid Glass” Controls and UI Everywhere
Here’s what you can expect now that iOS 26 is out:
- Translucent UI Elements: Toolbars, tab bars, buttons, sliders, and menus now sport glass-like transparency that reacts to your wallpaper and screen direction
- Dynamic Navigation Bars: Scroll up in Safari or Photos and watch tab bars shrink for full-screen focus, then expand as you scroll back
- Rounded Icons with a Shine: App icons stay in their current shape but feature a glossy, reflective finish, making them pop more on the home screen
This redesign extends system-wide, including the Lock Screen, Control Center, Home Screen widgets, and First‑Party Apps (Camera, Messages, Safari, Photos).
It even sweeps across iPadOS, macOS Tahoe, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS for a cohesive Apple ecosystem.
Related: iOS 26 Beta 1, iPadOS 26 Beta 1 OTA Update: How to Download and Install
Smarter Communication and Streamlined Experiences in iOS 26
iOS 26 brings several quality-of-life improvements across Apple’s core apps, with a strong focus on reducing interruptions and enhancing productivity.
Smarter Phone and Messages Features
The Phone app now offers a unified view that combines Favorites, Recents, and Voicemail, making it easier to manage your call history.
A new Call Screening feature expands on Live Voicemail by collecting caller info before you decide to answer. Also new is Hold Assist, which alerts you when a live agent is finally available during support calls—no more waiting on hold blindly.
In Messages, unknown senders are automatically filtered into a separate folder for review.
Group chats get even better with custom backgrounds, poll creation, and typing indicators. Apple Intelligence even suggests polls when it thinks they might help organize group decisions.
One standout addition is Live Translation, which now works across Messages, FaceTime, and Phone, allowing for smooth, real-time conversations in different languages, all processed securely on-device.
CarPlay Gets Smarter and Safer
CarPlay sees visual upgrades with compact call views that maintain navigation visibility. Messages in CarPlay now support Tapbacks and pinned conversations, making in-car communication easier. Additionally, widgets and Live Activities keep essential info accessible at a glance, helping you stay informed without distraction.
Related: CarPlay Gets a Major Refresh with iOS 26: Widgets, Live Activities & Liquid Glass UI
More iOS 26 Enhancements
- Apple Music: New AutoMix feature enables DJ-style song transitions, while Lyrics Translation helps users enjoy international tracks.
- Maps: A new Visited Places feature logs location history privately with end-to-end encryption.
- Wallet: Adds installment payment tracking and a new rewards hub for in-store Apple Pay users. Boarding passes also get a refresh with Live Activities support.
- Apple Games App: A dedicated hub for all your games, offering personalized recommendations and access to Apple Arcade’s 200+ titles.
Availability
iOS 26 is now available as a developer beta, with a public beta coming next month, and official release this fall for iPhone 11 and newer. Apple Intelligence features will require an iPhone 15 Pro or later.
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