WWDC 2025 Recap

Apple’s WWDC25 keynote marked a major design shift, a unified platform experience, and smarter tools aimed at making everyday digital life feel more natural, personal, and customizable.

A New Design: Liquid Glass

Apple introduced a new design, the first major overhaul since iOS 7. At the heart of this redesign is Liquid Glass; a translucent, light-adaptive aesthetic that adds depth, softness, and clarity to interfaces across all devices. Rounded corners and responsive translucency, aim to make the entire experience feel more fluid and immersive.

Starting this fall, every major platform, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS, will launch with version 26.

iOS 26

On iPhone, iOS 26 brings the Liquid Glass design to life. The Lock Screen and Home Screen will feel more dynamic, with app icons that look like they’re made from clear, glowing glass. Wallpapers now create a subtle 3D effect, and new spatial scenes give users more expressive ways to personalize their phones.

The Camera app has been streamlined to make switching formats easier, and the Photos app is more organized with separate tabs for Library and Collections. You can even create 3D images from your own photos.

Web pages will flow edge to edge, and the tab bar shrinks as you scroll, giving you more room to focus. FaceTime offers personalized contact posters and introduces real-time translation, which can now be used in video calls, phone calls, and while typing messages.

CarPlay sees one of its biggest upgrades ever. A new, consistent layout adapts to different vehicles, and CarPlay Ultra allows full customization across multiple screens. Features like compact incoming calls, dynamic widgets, and new safety tools make it both smarter and safer for drivers.

The Phone app now presents a unified layout with favorites at the top and recents below, improving navigation. New features like Call Screening help users decide whether to answer unknown calls, while Hold Assist lets you hang back while waiting on hold, and the phone will notify you when someone picks up.

Messages will get more expressive with chat backgrounds, group chat polls and typing indicators. Genmoji offers further personalization, letting users create custom emojis with adjustable expressions and styles.

Live Translation will work in real-time as you type or speak, whether you’re in Messages, FaceTime, or on a regular call.

Music, Maps, and Gaming

Apple Music introduces AutoMix for seamless song transitions, along with translated and phonetically pronounced lyrics. With Music Pins, you can quickly access your favorite tracks.

Maps become more proactive, learning your routines, suggesting routes, and sending timely commute alerts. A new “Visited Places” section lets you look back on your travel history while ensuring your data remains protected.

Gaming also sees major improvements with a revamped Games app. It curates personalized suggestions, shows all your downloaded titles, and supports both portrait and landscape modes. The “Play Together” feature makes it easier to connect with friends across devices.

Visual Intelligence

Apple introduces powerful new visual intelligence features that work automatically in any app. By pressing the screenshot buttons, users can now identify clothing, landmarks, food, and more, then search for them online, add events to the calendar, or get instant information.

watchOS

On Apple Watch, the new design carries over, but the standout feature is Workout Buddy, an AI-powered coach that gives you real-time motivation, pep talks, and celebrates your progress. You can choose its voice, tone, and energy level.

Gestures like a flick of the wrist can silence notifications or calls instantly.

macOS Tahoe

macOS Tahoe 26 adopts the Liquid Glass aesthetic, giving widgets, app icons, and the Dock a refined new look. There are more ways than ever to personalize your Mac, including custom folder colors with icons, and dynamic wallpapers.

Tahoe also introduces powerful new continuity features. You can now access your recent calls and voicemails, or even place calls from your Mac. Live activities, like tracking food delivery, can appear on your desktop, just like on iPhone.

Spotlight will allow you to browse files, search apps, and even mirror iPhone apps on your Mac.

tvOS and Apple TV

tvOS gets the Liquid Glass refresh, making browsing shows and movies feel smoother than ever. Profiles are more tailored, allowing each user to jump straight into their own content.

Full disclosure, I love watching TV, and many Apple originals have been on my top watch list! So, I am excited for new releases for both series’ and movies.

Some to keep an eye out for include:

• Chief of War (starring Jason Momoa)
• Foundation Season 3
• Slow Horses Season 5
• The Morning Show Season Thi4 (this can’t come out soon enough!
• The Lost Bus (starring Matthew McConaughey)
• Platonic Season 2 (I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the first season!)

iPadOS 26

iPad is getting a full makeover, including an all new windowing system. Users will be able to open and arrange multiple resizable windows, with a new menu bar at the top of the screen. The Files app has been updated with list views and customizable folders, and folders can now be added directly to the Dock for quick access.

visionOS

Vision Pro users benefit from more spatial widgets, personalized app placements, and a more realistic Persona system. Apps stay where you left them in your room, and photos, whether yours or from the web, will feel more alive in the immersive interface.

As an Apple enthusiast, I’m excited about the sleek new liquid glass design and the customizable messaging features, including call filtering, thankfully avoiding those dreadful hold tunes! I will likely also utilize Workout Buddy to stay motivated and encouraged (every little bit counts, right?!).

For dedicated iPad users, the fresh look should enhance usability and enjoyment.

Thank you for taking the time to read our recap, and make sure to check back often as we keep you updated on the latest trends so you don’t have to!