Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is the company’s annual showcase, offering a glimpse into upcoming features across its entire software ecosystem. With new tools and technologies coming to iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, Apple Vision Pro, Apple Watch, and Apple TV, WWDC 2025 was packed with announcements for developers and fans alike.
A Liquid Glass Makeover Across Platforms
One of the most striking updates this year is the introduction of the “Liquid Glass” design—an aesthetic revamp for all Apple platforms, reminiscent of the translucent, lens-like visuals seen in VisionOS. It’s a major UI shift, the most significant since iOS 7, powered by improved displays and enhanced device performance. Expect glossier elements, depth through highlights, and fluid dynamic responses based on your interactions.
Unified Versioning, With One Exception
In a move to create a consistent cross-platform experience, Apple is standardizing version numbers across its systems. This means iOS, iPadOS, tvOS, watchOS, and VisionOS will all follow the “26” moniker—except macOS, which retains its location-based naming convention, this year going with macOS Tahoe 26.
Gaming Gets a Home
Finally answering years of demand, Apple introduced a new dedicated Games app. It acts as a hub for Apple Arcade, your personal library, and group-oriented features like “Play Together,” which allows co-op and group challenges. Developers can even tweak single-player titles for group play. And yes, it supports controllers.
iOS 26: Smarter Communication and Customization
iOS 26 introduces a cohesive Phone and FaceTime layout, complete with Call Screening that waits until someone starts speaking before it rings, and Hold Assist that notifies you when a caller comes back. Messages get big upgrades: shared backgrounds in chats, group polls, and Apple Cash transactions in group threads. A smarter emoji generation system lets users combine or customize Genmoji to better express themselves.
Other major additions include:
- Live Translation: Now available across communication apps—even during calls with non-iPhone users.
- Music & Media: Animated lock screen photos, 2.5D visuals, dynamic lyrics, and a new AutoMix feature enhance the experience.
- Photos & Camera: More intuitive gesture controls, reintroduced Collections tab, and advanced Visual Intelligence features.
- Maps & Wallet: Maps now remember preferred routes and visited locations. Wallet supports digital IDs (excluding flights) and lets you redeem rewards in person.
iPadOS 26: More Mac-Like Than Ever
The iPad continues its evolution into a full productivity machine. iPadOS 26 introduces:
- A revamped windowing system, including a grab handle for resizing and a Mac-like Exposé for window selection.
- Persistent menu bars and multitasking that work with touch and trackpad inputs.
- Enhanced Files app, now offering a list view, column resizing, and drag-and-drop folders into the Dock.
- New Preview app and improved mic selection and noise isolation for creators.
- Support for live background tasks—such as video rendering—without needing to close the app.
macOS Tahoe 26: Familiar Name, Brand-New Features
The Mac gets the Liquid Glass redesign and many of the same communication upgrades as iOS. New features include:
- A customizable Control Center.
- Enhanced Continuity features, including Live Activities and shared Phone history.
- Intelligent Shortcuts for summarizing or comparing data.
- Spotlight Search enhancements and new Quick Keys—two-letter shortcuts for apps and tasks.
- Clipboard history, finally.
Mac users also benefit from the new Games app, including an in-game overlay and updated Metal 4 graphics engine to improve rendering quality. Confirmed upcoming games include Crimson Desert and Inzoi.
watchOS 26: Coaching and Convenience on Your Wrist
Apple Watch gains AI smarts with Workout Buddy, which leverages your fitness history to offer coaching and personalized feedback. Other updates:
- Smarter Smart Stack with better prediction.
- Adaptive notification volume based on surrounding noise.
- Wrist Flick gestures for dismissing alerts.
- New custom workout layouts.
tvOS 26: Smarter Entertainment and Karaoke Fun
Apple TV also adopts the new aesthetic. With redesigned FaceTime integration and better show resumption tools, tvOS enhances its usability. Notably, it also introduces karaoke features using your iPhone as a microphone.
VisionOS 26: Practicality Meets Mixed Reality
Already boasting the Liquid Glass aesthetic, VisionOS 26 goes deeper with:
- Persistent, customizable widgets.
- Smart window memory for continuity.
- Spatial views of photos and dynamic 3D conversions of images.
- Improved Personas for more lifelike representation.
- Eyes Only mode for private viewing.
- Accessory support including Logitech Muse 3D stylus and PSVR controllers.
Shared settings between team members and collaborative tools mark Apple’s push into professional productivity for Vision Pro users.
WWDC 2025 confirmed that Apple is heading into a more unified, AI-augmented, and design-refined future. With updates across all platforms and a strong focus on usability, Apple’s ecosystem feels more cohesive and capable than ever.
