Skip to content
Skip to main content
header search
CompileHub
Menu
sticky search

Apple announces iOS 26 with Liquid Glass design

Apple has officially announced iOS 26, as expected at WWDC 25. The main focus of the update is on the design, which is called Liquid Glass.

It looks a lot like aero glass on Windows Vista. Liquid Glass as the name suggests uses a glass like effect, specifically, translucent material reflects and refracts its surroundings. It is rendered in real-time and transforms dynamically to bring focus to content across apps, controls, navigation, widgets, app icons, etc. The Liquid Glass effect is noticeable in system areas such as the Lock Screen, Home Screen, notifications, Control Center.

iOS 26 Liquid Glass Design

For example, iOS 26's Lockscreen's clock uses the glass effect, and it resizes dynamically based on your wallpaper's contents, and as notifications arrive. Wallpapers have a 3D effect, these are spatial scenes created by the neural engine, you can notice the 3D effect when you move the phone. App icons and widgets have a new style with a stunning clear look.

The Camera app in iOS 26 has been simplified and only shows options to take a Photo and Video. You can swipe left or right to access more options like Cinematic mode, Portrait mode, etc. Swiping up allows access to additional controls like timers, aspect ratio. The Photos app has 2 tabs, collections and library, which lets you switch views and access search easily. Images in Photos also support the 3d effect.

Apple iOS 26 Liquid Glass Design

Safari browser renders web pages edge-to-edge for a more immersive experience. The tab bar now floats above the web page, and shrinks dynamically as you scroll. Menus appear seamlessly when you interact with buttons or text. FaceTime displays important controls on the bottom right, and auto-hides itself. Video messages play automatically on the FaceTime landing page.

The Phone app in iOS 26 has a unified layout that brings favorites, recents and voice mails on one page, meaning you can access them without switching views. Call Screening answers calls from unknown numbers silently in the background, and when the caller shares their name and reason for the call, your iPhone will ring, you can view the response and answer the call, or ignore it. Hold Assist detects hold music when your call is placed on hold, and prompts you whether you want to hold this call. The music stops, but your call stays connected, your iPhone will notify you when a live agent is ready on the call.

iOS 26 phone app call features

Messages now comes with built-in backgrounds, you may also choose custom backgrounds for conversations. The app finally lets you create polls in group chats. Users can request, send and receive Apple Cash via Messages. Typing indicators have been added to group chats to show who is typing.

Live Translation has been integrated in Messages, Phone, FaceTime. It uses an on-device model to translate text and spoken content in real-time. Apple Music has been updated with some cool features like lyrics translation, lyrics pronunciation, and an auto mix option to mix songs like a DJ. Music Pins lets you pin your favorite stuff to the top for quick access. iOS 26 introduces a games app, where you can continue playing a game that you were on, access updates, get notified about events, view tailored recommendations, access Apple Arcade. It also has a Library that lists all games you played.

There are many more features in iOS 26.

More features in iOS 26

iOS 26 is compatible with the following devices:

  • iPhone 16e
  • iPhone 16
  • iPhone 16 Plus
  • iPhone 16 Pro
  • iPhone 16 Pro Max
  • iPhone 15
  • iPhone 15 Plus
  • iPhone 15 Pro
  • iPhone 15 Pro Max
  • iPhone 14
  • iPhone 14 Plus
  • iPhone 14 Pro
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max
  • iPhone 13
  • iPhone 13 mini
  • iPhone 13 Pro
  • iPhone 13 Pro Max
  • iPhone 12
  • iPhone 12 mini
  • iPhone 12 Pro
  • iPhone 12 Pro Max
  • iPhone 11
  • iPhone 11 Pro
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max
  • iPhone SE (2nd generation and later)

Apple has discontinued support for the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR. All three phones were launched in 2018 and received updates from iOS 12 to iOS 18.

iOS 26 is currently available in beta, users may install it on their iPhone from Settings > General > Software Update. Apple will release iOS 26 in Fall 2025. You can learn more about it on Apple's website.

More exciting content