In its most sweeping software design overhaul to date, Apple on Monday revealed a stunning new interface crafted from an innovative material called Liquid Glass — a translucent, dynamic visual layer that reimagines how users interact with Apple devices.
For the first time, this unified design language will stretch across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS Tahoe 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 261, seamlessly harmonizing Apple’s ecosystem while preserving the unique character of each platform.
“This is our broadest software design update ever,” said Alan Dye, Apple’s VP of Human Interface Design. “Liquid Glass combines the optical qualities of glass with a fluidity only Apple can achieve… ultimately, it makes even the simplest of interactions more fun and magical.”
A Material Like No Other
Inspired by the spatial design of visionOS, Liquid Glass behaves like real-world glass but intelligently adapts to context and content in real time. It reacts to surrounding light, color, and motion — refracting images behind it and delivering shimmering highlights as users interact with apps.
Everything from buttons, sliders, and controls to tab bars and sidebars has been reimagined using Liquid Glass. The result is a more vivid and immersive experience whether you’re scrolling in Safari, adjusting settings in Control Center, or browsing photos in the Camera app.
Deep Integration with Modern Hardware
The new design also better aligns with the rounded edges of Apple’s contemporary devices. App interfaces and toolbars now appear more cohesive with hardware, forming a visually harmonious environment.
When users scroll in apps like Apple Music, tab bars shrink to keep focus on the content — and then fluidly expand when needed again. On Mac and iPad, sidebars now refract both the app content and the surrounding wallpaper, offering a sense of spatial presence.
Refined System-Wide Aesthetics
The upgrade touches nearly every corner of the Apple experience:
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Lock Screen: The time display is now made from Liquid Glass and dynamically adjusts to nestle behind the subject in photo wallpapers.
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Home Screen & Desktop: Icons, widgets, and the Dock are layered in translucent Liquid Glass, featuring customizable dark/light tints or a new clear aesthetic.
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macOS Menu Bar: Now fully transparent, giving the Mac display a sense of expanded visual space.
On macOS Tahoe 26, users can now fully personalize their desktops and Docks using dynamic elements with vibrant tint options — all while retaining the familiar Apple look.
Developer Tools Already Live
Apple also launched an updated set of APIs in SwiftUI, UIKit, and AppKit to let developers integrate Liquid Glass into their own apps. From rethinking toolbars to reworking controls, developers are encouraged to embrace this design shift to create richer and more intuitive experiences.