What was shown at WWDC 2025: iOS 26 operating system, Liquid Glass interface and much more

The Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) is a conference for developers on Apple platforms that has been held since 1983. In this article, we have collected all the most interesting things that were shown at the show in 2025.

Liquid Glass Interface

The interface that you could see on Apple Vision Pro mixed reality glasses will now be used on all of the company's devices, including the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, and iMac. It was named Liquid Glass after the material that imitates real glass. The interface changes dynamically during the transition between screens and the appearance of additional application settings. It also automatically disappears when it is obvious that the user no longer needs it. For example, while working with a browser.

Liquid Glass is also used in individual Apple applications, such as FaceTime and CarPlay.

Features of the new iOS 26 operating system

Although Apple's previous operating system was called iOS 18, the new one will be called iOS 26. Now the numbering depends on the year of release.

iOS 26 innovations:

Icons adapt to dark, light and color themes, can be both clearly visible and transparent;
When playing music, the lock screen will show the album cover of the song that is currently playing;
The clock on the lock screen will dynamically adjust to the background;
When working with the camera, only two main functions will be available, "Photo" and "Video", without many intermediate modes, as before;
The "Phone" application will have a Call Screening function, which automatically accepts calls in the background and requires the person to introduce themselves and say what they want. Only after this is it possible to contact the owner of the Apple device. This is a way to combat spam calls;
Missed calls and voice messages will be displayed in a single list, like in correspondence used in instant messengers;
In group correspondence, it will be possible to see who exactly is typing at the moment;
In group chats, you can put pictures on the background, for example, your own photos;
It will be possible to automatically translate the voice of the interlocutor in regular and video calls. The function will work even if the interlocutor does not have an Apple device. It will also be possible to translate song lyrics in the Music app;
The ability to pin your favorite album, playlist or artist to the top of the song list for quick access will be added;
The Visual Intelligence object recognition function will support different applications, which speeds up information searches.
A Games app will appear, where you can collect your own collection, get achievements, see what your friends are doing and invite them to your server for a joint playthrough or a duel. It will be a kind of analogue of Steam. A separate tab will be linked to the Apple Arcade subscription service;
A function will be added to turn any picture into a three-dimensional image that can be viewed from all sides;
The Maps app will remember the most popular routes and places that the user visits most often. As a result, the device will immediately prompt the desired address;

What Apple device do you use?

iPhone

iPad

Apple Watch

Apple Vision Pro

iMac

MacBook

Other

I don't use any

Results

Now it has become even more convenient to exercise with Apple Watch:

Notifications will adapt to the external environment, depending on which they will sound quieter or louder. You can turn them off with one gesture;
Thanks to the Workout Buddy function, the watch will maintain motivation during workouts. It will tell you how many approaches are left, warn you that it is time to take a short break, and so on. All advice is based on the user's personal results;
A Notes application will appear, which allows you to create a list of reminders directly on the watch;
Real-time call transfers can be made via Apple Watch. There will also be support for backgrounds in the messenger.

Features of the operating system for TVs tvOS 26

In the case of television, there are not many innovations:

In karaoke mode, you can use an iPhone instead of a microphone;
Profiles will appear that you can switch between. Each of them has its own viewing statistics, as well as individual recommendations.

New features of macOS Tahoe 26, the operating system for Apple computers

iMac and MacBook owners can expect some pleasant surprises:

The top line of the interface will become transparent, which visually increases the workspace;
Spotlight search will now use artificial intelligence functions that analyze the user's personal preferences and adapt to them. The same application allows you to access other functions, for example, start an audio recording;
A function for customizing directories using colors and emoji will appear;
Quick commands will allow you to perform certain actions on a schedule;
Live Activities mode will add the ability to turn on the computer using an iPhone;
The Games app will also be available on macOS Tahoe 26. Many new projects from PCs and home consoles will appear on MacBook and iMac;
Video game developers will receive a new Metal 4 system, which will make it easier to create interactive projects for iMac and MacBook.

Updates to visionOS, the operating system of Apple Vision Pro virtual reality glasses

At first glance, the innovations are insignificant, but they will make using Apple's VR device much more convenient:

Support for the Apple Intelligence artificial intelligence platform will be added;
It will be possible to watch movies or launch spatial games on one system at once for several Apple Vision Pro owners if they are in the same room;
Also, several people can work with one account in applications, even if they are located at a great distance from each other. This can be useful during conferences, brainstorming sessions and other types of work with visualization of images and videos;
Support for the stylus from Logitech and the PS VR2 Sense controller from Sony has appeared;
Widgets, such as a clock, can be placed anywhere in the workspace, and they will retain this position until you move them;
Digital avatars of users will be redesigned, they will become much more realistic.

iPadOS 26 Innovations

Owners of Apple tablets will also receive a number of improvements to the system:

Support for running multiple windows at the same time will be added, like on an iMac or MacBook. Navigation between applications will clearly be simplified;
The ability to run applications in the background will appear;
The Files application will have the ability to pin folders to the Dock panel. Files can be opened through third-party applications;
A cursor will appear in the spirit of those found on regular PCs;
A menu bar will be added, like on an iMac;
New gestures for the trackpad will appear;
The Preview app will be added for quick viewing and editing of files.

When will iOS 26 and other Apple operating systems be available

All Apple operating systems will be available in the fall. At the same time, the public beta version is available for developers today. It will become public in July.

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Did you like the conference? Or did you expect something different from it? Share your opinions in the comments!

Are you impressed with the capabilities of iOS 26 and other new Apple operating systems?