Apple reveals a complete redesign for iOS 26 at WWDC 2025

Yearly, iOS is likely one of the star points of interest of Apple‘s Worldwide Builders Convention keynote. It is our first official take a look at new options and different modifications which can be coming to iPhones within the fall. The 2025 WWDC keynote was no exception, and essentially the most fast change is to the iOS naming system.

As was recently reported, Apple working methods will all be named after years to maintain all the things aligned. So as an alternative of iOS 19, we’re leaping as much as iOS 26. The identical goes for iPadOS, watchOS, macOS and so forth. The variations shall be named for the yr after main annual OS updates (so iOS 26 for the model that arrives in fall 2025 and so forth), but it surely ought to nonetheless assist mitigate some confusion as to which is the present model.

There’s much more to this model of iOS than a change to the numbering system, so let’s dig proper in.

A serious redesign

Past the naming system, the most important change this yr is a significant visible overhaul throughout Apple’s working methods. These responsive, translucent consumer interfaces are impressed by the look of visionOS, the OS that powers Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional.

It was reported over the weekend that Apple’s new consumer interface design language could be constructed round an idea referred to as Liquid Glass, and that turned out to be useless on. There’s a bigger concentrate on components like mild and transparency right here.

App icons and buttons have new seems, whereas toolbars and tab bars can have a see-through look. Apple can be making use of pop-out menus that’ll provide fast entry to sure choices — that jogs my memory a little bit of the “peek and pop” 3D Contact capabilities Apple launched to the iPhone a decade in the past). Widgets aren’t going anyplace, although they’re getting a brand new look to match the remainder of the design updates.

It has been over a decade because the final main change to the look of consumer interfaces on Apple gadgets (not counting the brand new UI for the Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional). With iOS 7, which debuted in 2013, Apple jettisoned its skeuomorphic design language for a flatter, extra simplified look.

Core app updates

Apple is giving a number of core apps notable updates in iOS 26. Within the Cellphone app, it is pulling collectively your current calls and voicemails right into a single tab, together with your favourite contacts above these. You’ll see Apple Intelligence summaries of voicemail transcripts.

A name screening software can robotically reply calls from unknown numbers as properly. You’ll see in your iPhone display screen who is looking and why, so you’ll be able to determine whether or not to reply.

On FaceTime calls, you may see that Apple has moved the main controls to the underside proper of the display screen for simpler entry. Safari can have a extra clear tackle bar within the up to date OS.

As for the Digicam app, Apple is seeking to simplify {that a} bit after including a number of options like slow-motion video and panoramic photographs over the past a number of years. You may swap between nonetheless photograph and video choices with a swipe. Tabs are blessedly coming again to the Pictures app too.

In Messages, you may have the power to set a background picture and create polls (a lot as you’ll be able to in different messaging apps). The backgrounds would be the identical for everybody within the chat, as they’re within the likes of Messenger. It’s going to be potential to ship and obtain Apple Money funds in group chats, which may also be getting typing indicators. Additionally, on-device spam detection for Messages is within the pipeline — that is a really welcome replace.

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