Apple iOS 26, macOS 26, and iPadOS 26 are now available with new Liquid Glass UI

[DragonSlayer101]

Highly anticipated: With the iPhone 17 series and iPhone Air unveiling out of the way, Apple is now ready to roll out the latest versions of its operating systems for iPhone, iPads, and Macs. iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 introduce a revamped UI with a translucent "Liquid Glass" look that Apple describes as the most significant visual update to its operating systems since the release of iOS 7 in 2013.

The Liquid Glass design was first previewed during Apple's WWDC event earlier this year. At the time, Apple said the updated interface makes apps more visually appealing and the overall system easier to navigate. According to the company, the translucent effect "reflects and refracts its surroundings" and helps users focus more on content.

The new design is available in both Apple and third-party apps. Apple says the UI combines the "optical qualities of glass with a fluidity only Apple can achieve." Apple added that the new design language lays the foundation for new experiences in the future.

The update also introduces several new Apple Intelligence features for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. One of the most notable additions in iOS 26 is Live Translation in Messages, which allows users to seamlessly communicate with others despite language barriers.

Apple has also enhanced Visual Intelligence, allowing users to ask ChatGPT to identify the contents of images, either stored on the device or found on the web. The Workout Buddy app now uses Intelligence to deliver personalized spoken motivation during workouts, improving the fitness experience on Apple Watch, iPhone, and AirPods.

iPadOS 26 adds a new menu bar that provides quick access to app commands by swiping down from the top of the screen or moving the cursor to the top. Apple is also bringing the Preview app to iPad, giving users the ability to view and edit PDFs and other common file formats without the need for third-party apps.

macOS Tahoe incorporates the same Liquid Glass design language and introduces new features for Spotlight and Shortcuts. Spotlight now offers enhanced browsing views for files and apps, improved search, and quick actions such as sending emails or creating events using keyboard shortcuts. Shortcuts gains Intelligent Actions and the ability to automate complex tasks with help from Apple Intelligence.

Other notable updates include an improved Control Center, a transparent menu bar, new color options for folders, app icons, and widgets, and more. The Phone app now supports Call Screening and Hold Assist, while Live Activities from iPhone can now also appear directly on the Mac.

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Apple iOS 26, macOS 26, and iPadOS 26 are now available with new Liquid Glass UI

 

[passwordistaco]

So Apple has Windows 7-style transparency.

I wish Microsoft would catch up.

 

[Billybobjoey]

Looks great and runs smooth on my devices. The only real complaint I have is that it made the icons in the dock on mac really small, which is a strange decision.

 

[poshflamingos]

What a horrendously ugly visual design. They were on the right track with the discreet translucency they had before, now it just devolved into tacky early 2000's visual noise.

I lived to see Apple's interfaces become the literal definition of kitsch. Apple's design died when Jonathan Ive left.

 

[themastergoose]

The UI on my 15 Pro Max is inconsistent on iOS 26. Some areas are in older iOS 18 style when you go to menus and settings, and others - like the widget editor and lock screen customisations are misaligned and go off the end of the screen. There’s also 1-2 extra menu “layers” to get to things everywhere that used to be quicker to get to. Apps randomly also switch back to the iOS 18 keyboard and I’ve not worked out what triggers that to happen yet.

Safari especially needs a mention, as the address bubble and the “stack” to get to other tabs as I’ll call it now, is so hard to see/read if the webpage has a white background. How that slipped through testing and nobody raised it I’ll never know.

I usually never complain about iOS software too - it’s usually a little mundane and boring and you never really think about it. This one tho, it needs more time in the oven as it feels very rushed and isn’t a good experience overall at the moment.

 

[opckieran]

Looks like they just added transparency, cheap effects, and an assortment of white fonts which are difficult to read on light backgrounds…

 

[Mr Majestyk]

Will wait for the 26.3 bugfix erm update at the earliest

 

[bviktor]

Horrible over saturated washed out crap. Literally hurts my eyes.

 

[ScottSoapbox]

I’ll wait for iOS 27’s redesign that removes the rest of the glass effects they have been slowly walking back since the first beta.

Change for change sake is stupid but this adds making things harder to read.

 

[guillejp]

I’ll wait for iOS 27’s redesign that removes the rest of the glass effects they have been slowly walking back since the first beta.

Change for change sake is stupid but this adds making things harder to read.

Is it even possible to postpone updates for a whole year?

 

[disinfect8280]

Is it even possible to postpone updates for a whole year?

Sure. You'll just get pestered with notifications regularly.

 

[umeng2002]

People with real skills keep getting fired. Useless UI designers still gainfully employed.

 

[RaXelliX]

Glad to see skeuomorphic making a comeback. Naturally all the 2D flat purists are in rage and I love it.

 

[umeng2002]

Everything else about the UI is horrible.