Apple has unveiled what it calls its most comprehensive software redesign to date, introducing a new visual language built around a dynamic material dubbed Liquid Glass. The overhaul, set to launch with iOS 26, macOS Tahoe, and updates to iPadOS, watchOS and tvOS, promises a more fluid and immersive experience that places content at the centre – without sacrificing the trademark familiarity of Apple’s user interface.

The refreshed look marks the first time Apple has applied a universal design philosophy across all its platforms, in a move that could redefine the visual consistency of its ecosystem. Liquid Glass, the centrepiece of this revamp, is a translucent, glass-like material that reacts to its environment – reflecting, refracting, and transforming in real-time based on movement and surrounding content.

“This is our broadest software design update ever,” said Alan Dye, Apple’s vice president of Human Interface Design. “Liquid Glass combines the optical qualities of glass with a fluidity only Apple can achieve, as it transforms depending on your content or context.”

A Glass Act

Inspired by the dimensional effects introduced in visionOS, the Liquid Glass material is not just decorative – it serves a functional purpose, shaping controls, navigation elements, app icons and even system features like the Lock Screen and Control Center.

Users will notice the changes immediately. Buttons, sliders, switches and even toolbars are constructed from Liquid Glass, giving the interface a new layer of visual depth. Navigation bars now shrink or expand dynamically depending on user interaction – such as scrolling – while maintaining ease of access.

On iOS, tab bars adapt as users engage with content. On iPadOS and macOS, sidebars have been reengineered to refract both app content and the desktop environment, creating a more immersive sense of place within each application.

Familiarity, Reimagined

While the redesign touches every corner of the interface – from Home Screens to the Dock and app icons – Apple has taken pains to preserve the visual identity that users have grown accustomed to. Even the font on the Lock Screen is now rendered in Liquid Glass, subtly integrating itself behind the subject of a photo wallpaper.

The Mac experience receives notable enhancements in macOS Tahoe 26, including a completely transparent menu bar and new customisation features that allow users to personalise their desktops with themed widgets and app icons.

Tools for Developers

For app developers, Apple is rolling out updated APIs within SwiftUI, UIKit and AppKit that make it easier to adopt the new look and feel. These tools aim to ensure third-party apps align with the updated interface while encouraging more expressive, intuitive designs.

Apple says the redesign is not just about aesthetics but about building a foundation for future innovations. “It lays the foundation for new experiences in the future and, ultimately, it makes even the simplest of interactions more fun and magical,” added Dye.

The software refresh will be available later this year on eligible devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV 4K (2nd generation and later).