WWDC 2025 kicked off Monday and as in earlier years, the corporate targeted on software program updates and new applied sciences, together with the subsequent model of iOS, known as iOS 26.
This 12 months, there was appreciable strain on the corporate to construct on its guarantees and to make amends to builders because it lags behind in AI and faces continued authorized challenges over its App Retailer.
iOS 26 is probably the most dramatic design change in over a decade
When Apple launched a significant overhaul to iOS again in 2013 with the launch of iOS 7, it felt jarring for a lot of customers with the shift from the prior skeuomorphic design with gradients and real-world textures to the extra colourful, however flat, design type that mirrored Apple’s then chief design officer Jony Ive’s style for minimalism.
At WWDC 2025, the corporate introduced a refreshed consumer interface known as Liquid Glass, which options shiny, reflective, and clear visible interface parts that give the software program a extra “glassy” feel and look.
The Liquid Glass show is translucent and can behave like glass in the actual world. The colour of the display screen is knowledgeable by your content material and can adapt between mild and darkish environments. As well as, alerts seem from the place you faucet, context menus broaden right into a scannable checklist while you scroll and faucet.
The Lock Display screen and Dwelling Display screen are getting updates that align with the general aesthetic of Liquid Glass.
iOS 26, a brand new naming scheme
As an alternative of utilizing system names like iOS 19 and macOS 19, Apple will now use the 12 months as a part of the identify. This implies all its working techniques will likely be known as iOS 26, iPadOS 26, macOS 26, tvOS 26, watchOS 26, and visionOS 26.
A devoted Video games app
Apple unveiled a brand new devoted gaming app that’s designed to centralize gaming experiences on Apple units. The app will function a launcher for video games and permit customers to trace achievements and look at leaderboards.
The Video games app may also embrace social options, together with a “Play Collectively” tab that permits you to see what your pals are enjoying, evaluate scores, and invite them to play with you. There’s additionally “Challenges,” which is a brand new solution to compete with associates in score-based showdowns.
MacOS, iPadOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS updates
Apple confirmed off watchOS 26, the upcoming software program overhaul for the Apple Watch. It’ll launch with a redesigned interface primarily based on Apple’s new Liquid Glass working system, a wrist-flick gesture, a brand new Apple Intelligence-powered Exercise Buddy health function, and extra.
Apple TV can also be getting a redesign, that includes a Liquid Glass aesthetic that provides a modern and “unobtrusive” design, the corporate stated. One of many standout options is the power to shortly soar right into a consumer profile. Apple TV will now current profile choices every time it wakes from sleep, making it extra handy for every member of the family to pick out their profile and shortly resume watching their very own favourite reveals and films. There’s additionally a karaoke function.
macOS 26, which the corporate calls Tahoe, is getting some upgrades as nicely, along with the brand new Liquid Glass aesthetic will embrace an AI-powered Shortcuts app.
iPad OS will make the iPad really feel like a Mac, together with a brand new Preview function that provides customers a variety of instruments, together with markup utilizing Apple Pencil and AutoFill. Customers also can export photos in several codecs.
And together with updates to visionOS, Apple’s Imaginative and prescient Professional AR/VR headset is getting a few new equipment: a Logitech Muse stylus and PlayStation’s VR2 Sense controller compatibility.
Updates to CarPlay and AirPods, too
Whereas leaks steered extra gestures and different additions, Apple introduced that the AirPods lineup could be getting two key options: studio-quality audio recording and digital camera distant. It’s additionally getting a digital camera distant.
Three of the largest additions to CarPlay will likely be widgets and dwell actions, in addition to the power to decide on a “tapback” response to incoming messages. Customers will now additionally be capable to pin their favourite conversations, identical to in iMessage.
Apple Pockets, polls, Maps, and extra
Different smaller options have been introduced as nicely, like new travel-friendly options for Apple Pockets; polls in iMessages; lyrics translation and pronunciation options; and Maps will be taught your commute.
This story was initially revealed on June 5 and was up to date considerably with all of the bulletins from WWDC 2025 on June 9.
