Apple’s introduction of Liquid Glass design has created significant buzz this week, marking the first major design overhaul for iOS in years and extending across all its platforms. While Liquid Glass is still evolving, let’s take a moment to highlight its initial features that enthusiasts are eager to see in action. Upon updating to iOS 26, the Liquid Glass design becomes immediately noticeable.
The Lock Screen showcases a redesigned clock with an option to expand, making it more prominent and harmonizing with your wallpaper. The widgets on the Lock Screen share the same transparent aesthetic, complemented by see-through notifications that allow glimpses of your wallpaper in the background. On the Home Screen, the trend continues with a translucent search bar, dock, and app folders.
By default, app icons adopt a layered glass look, but users can opt for a “clear” glass-like icon setting that makes them and the widgets transparent. This customization enhances the overall glass effect, providing users with a unique experience. The Control Center embraces the Liquid Glass theme fully, featuring icons that reflect the background colors.
Several apps, including Safari, Photos, Camera, Mail, Messages, and more, have incorporated Liquid Glass elements. In particular, buttons and menu bars have been updated for a more rounded look, while navigation has been streamlined. For instance, selecting certain buttons in the Camera app reveals a popup Liquid Glass menu that simplifies access to available options.
Liquid Glass extends beyond iOS, encompassing iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, and tvOS 26. iPadOS mirrors iOS closely, while macOS features a translucent menu bar and uses Liquid Glass for various UI elements. watchOS and tvOS incorporate this design in navigation and certain app features, although the changes in these platforms are relatively subtle. As this is only the first beta of Liquid Glass, further enhancements are expected before the full public release this fall.
Apple envisions that this design will serve as the foundation for its software aesthetics for the next decade, paving the way for future innovations.
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