WWDC 2025: Updates Every Designer Should Know (The Biggest Design System Update from Apple since iOS 7)

Apple just rolled out its boldest design update in years at the WWDC 2025 keynote — and this time, it's more than just a fresh coat of paint.

Apple announced at WWDC a full liquid glass redesign across iOS, iPadOS & macOS during the WWDC keynote. Here's a quick walkthrough of what actually changed — and why it matters for designers and Apple developers.

iOS 26: Matching the Year Now

Apple is switching things up with version numbers. So instead of iOS 18, we're getting iOS 26 — because it's 2026. Makes sense, right? Clean and simple going forward across all Apple devices. This change affects the entire Apple ecosystem, including iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV.

New Liquid Glass Design is the New Look

Apple announced a new style called Liquid Glass at Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote. It gives buttons, panels & icons a shiny, almost bendable look — with transparency and depth. The new Liquid Glass design is subtle but adds a layer of polish that feels fresh across Apple devices. Apple CEO Tim Cook emphasized how this represents the future of Apple software.

The UI Reacts to How You Move

Scroll, tap, tilt — the interface responds in real time. Nothing flashy. Just smooth, thoughtful changes that make everything feel more connected. These AI features work seamlessly with on-device Apple Intelligence to create responsive interactions across Apple devices.

Dynamic Island is Now a Full Navigation Tool

It's not just showing live activities anymore. Now it helps you switch between screens — almost like a lightweight control center. You'll probably use it more than ever now, especially with new features that Apple unveiled at WWDC 2025. The Apple also introduced enhanced shortcut capabilities for faster navigation.

Deeper Curves, Calmer Feel

Everything's more rounded — icons, buttons, cards. It's a small detail, but it adds warmth. The whole system feels a little more relaxed, reflecting Apple's focus on user comfort. This design philosophy extends to watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26.

Lock Screen Gets Smarter Visuals

Now the clock changes size and style based on your wallpaper. Plus, there's a light 3D effect to give the screen some depth. It's clean, not cluttered — part of the broader announcements at WWDC that focus on personalization. Apple Intelligence powers these adaptive changes.

Stock Apps Got a Refresh

Photos, Camera & Safari now follow the new design system too. The Phone app, Apple Music, and Games app also received updates as part of the liquid glass redesign. Apple Wallet now features the new Apple aesthetic, while Apple Cash transactions get a visual upgrade. Think cleaner interfaces, consistent iconography, better overall flow.

Enhanced Apple Intelligence Integration

Apple Intelligence features are deeply integrated into the new design. Call screening, hold assist, and live translation all work seamlessly with the Liquid Glass interface. The Image Playground showcases how AI features blend naturally with the redesigned system.

Developer and Device Updates

Apple developers will need to adapt their apps to work with the new Liquid Glass design. The iOS 26 developer beta is already available at Apple Park, and Apple has provided extensive documentation. Apple Pencil support has been enhanced, while Apple Vision Pro gets visionOS 26 updates. Apple TV receives tvOS 26 with the same design language.

These design changes require app updates from developers. Get the full scoop on the latest Apple developer tools and platform improvements in WWDC 2025: New Tools for Devs.

Cross-Platform Consistency

MacOS Tahoe (also known as macOS 26) brings the Liquid Glass aesthetic to desktop computing. iPadOS 26 updates mirror the phone app improvements, while Apple Arcade games showcase the new visual style. Apple TV Plus content now displays with enhanced visual fidelity.

Not Everyone's Convinced (Yet)

Some designers are skeptical about this year's WWDC changes. A few are saying it looks like watchOS or even Vista. But Apple didn't just go for pretty — they optimized for use with Apple Silicon performance. The new Apple design is built to work better in motion, not just sit in screenshots.

Apple executives defended the changes, explaining how visual intelligence in iOS 26 and support for Apple services guided the redesign. According to Apple, the menu bar for real-time updates and other features Apple developed required this visual overhaul.

What This Means for the Apple Ecosystem

Apple's WWDC 2025 keynote revealed how the app in iOS 26 experience will change. Apple is introducing new ways to interact with your Apple account, while Apple is also rolling out enhanced Siri updates. The addition of Apple services integration means you can receive Apple Cash payments directly through the redesigned interface.

Apple previews show how Apple's new design system will work across Apple devices. From 26 and iPadOS 26 updates to Apple's new Liquid Glass implementation on Apple Watch, the consistency is remarkable.

Final Thoughts

If you're a designer (or just care about how your device feels), this is worth paying attention to. Apple isn't just tweaking the surface — they're rethinking how everything fits together with Apple Intelligence at the core.

It's the biggest visual shift since iOS 7, building on years of refinement since WWDC 2024 and even WWDC 2023. The integration of AI features with the liquid glass redesign will shape how apps look — and feel — for years.

Apple is rolling out these changes gradually, and Apple's commitment to this new direction suggests we'll see continued evolution. Let's see how it lands when it hits the real world.

The new Liquid Glass design and AI-driven UI mark a major shift in Apple’s ecosystem. For the complete WWDC 2025 announcements that matter to both designers and developers, visit our WWDC 2025 overview article.